Performance of Barnyard Millet Varieties under Graded Fertilizer Levels in Rainfed Conditions of North Coastal Zone of Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

Adequate plant nutrition is essential for barnyard millet to exhibit its maximum yield potential. However, some improved barnyard millet varieties respond differently to graded fertilizer doses. To evaluate the varietal response of different barnyard millet varieties, a field experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Station, Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh during kharif, 2025 in a split-plot design with three replications. The main plot treatments include fertilizer doses viz., F0: Absolute control; F1: 75% Recommended Dose of Fertilizer (RDF); F2: 100% RDF; F3: 125% RDF. The sub-plot treatments include varieties (V1: BUBM 18; V2: CBYMV-1 and V3: VL 207). The soil texture of the experimental field was red sandy loam in nature. The experimental results indicated that, among the graded NPK fertilizer doses, 125% RDF resulted in higher productivity, profitability and nutrient uptake, however, it remained on par with 100% RDF. Among the varieties, CBYMV-1 showed the highest grain yield (2141 kg/ha), harvest index (30.5%), net returns (Rs.49696.00) and benefit cost ratio (3.02).  From this, it was concluded that 100 % RDF was found to be the most effective for barnyard millet crop as it produced comparable yields at 125% RDF, apart from saving of 25% of RDF.