Resource Optimization through Crop Geometry and Fertilizer Management for Sustainable Productivity of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) under Semi-Arid Conditions of Rajasthan, India

Abstract

Pearl millet is an important drought-tolerant cereal crop cultivated widely in semi-arid regions of India, where optimum nutrient management and crop geometry play a crucial role in improving productivity and resource-use efficiency. The present investigation was conducted during 2025-26 at the Agronomy Research Farm of Jaipur National University, Jaipur, Rajasthan to study the effect of fertilizer doses and crop spacing on growth and yield of pearl millet. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with three replications comprising twelve treatment combinations. Four fertility levels (50% RDF, 75% RDF, 100% RDF and 125% RDF) and three spacing treatments (20 cm × 15 cm, 30 cm × 15 cm and 45 cm × 15 cm) were evaluated. The findings revealed that application of 125% RDF recorded significantly higher plant height (67.16 cm at 30 DAS, 180.63 cm at 60 DAS and 210.37 cm at maturity), number of tillers plant⁻¹ (3.03 at 30 DAS, 4.79 at 60 DAS and 3.78 at harvest), dry matter accumulation (8.03, 41.92 and 67.19 g plant⁻¹), crop growth rate and relative growth rate (RGR) and yield attributes including ear head length (25.12 cm), number of grains per panicle (2494.44), grain weight per ear (22.98 g) and 1000-seed weight (9.91 g) and was at par with 100% RDF but significantly higher than 50% RDF. However, plant population was not significantly affected by fertilizer doses. Among spacing treatments, 30 cm × 15 cm spacing was superior, recording higher plant population per plot (470.58 at 20 DAS and 466.00 at maturity), plant height (61.04 cm at 30 DAS, 163.39 cm at 60 DAS and 193.55 cm at maturity), tillers plant⁻¹ (2.71, 4.10 and 3.17), dry matter accumulation (7.41, 35.51 and 59.82 g plant⁻¹) and yield attributes such as ear head length (22.38 cm), number of grains per panicle (2119.75), grain weight per ear (19.78 g) and 1000-seed weight (9.49 g) and was at par with 45 cm × 15 cm but significantly higher than 20 cm × 15 cm. Relative growth rate remained non-significant throughout the crop growth period. The study concludes that application of 100-125% RDF in combination with 30 cm × 15 cm spacing is most suitable for higher growth and productivity of pearl millet under the agro-climatic conditions of Jaipur.