Response of Little Millet (Panicum sumantrense Roth. EX. Roem and Schultz) to Various Sources of Organic Nutrient in Konkan Region of Maharashatra

Abstract

Aims: The field experiment was conducted to find out the effect of various sources of organic nutrient on growth and yield of little millet (Panicum sumantrense Roth. Ex. Roem and Schultz). Study Design: This experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design comprising eight treatments. Place and Duration of Study: The field trial was carried out at the Instructional Farm, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Dr. B.S.K.K.V., Dapoli, Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, India during Kharif 2024-25. Methodology: The treatments of the experiment were T1: Absolute control, T2: 100% RDN through FYM, T3: 100% RDN through vermicompost, T4: 100% RDN through neem cake, T5: 50% RDN through FYM + 50% RDN through vermicompost, T6: 50% RDN through FYM + 50% RDN through neem cake, T7: 50% RDN through neem cake + 50% RDN through vermicompost, T8: 25% RDN through vermicompost + 25% RDN through FYM + 50% RDN through neem cake. The seedlings of little millet var. Konkan satwik were transplanted at the spacing of 20 cm × 15 cm. The recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) used for the crop was 80:40:40 NPK kg ha-1. Results: Among the various sources of organic nutrient, application of 50% RDN through neem cake + 50% RDN through vermicompost (T7) recorded significantly higher growth as well as grain yield (1640 kg ha-1) and straw yield (2609 kg ha-1) of little millet which were statistically at par with 25% RDN through vermicompost + 25% RDN through FYM + 50% RDN through neem cake (T8) and 50% RDN through FYM + 50% RDN through neem cake (T6). Conclusion: Application of 50% RDN through neem cake + 50% RDN through vermicompost or 25% RDN through vermicompost + 25% RDN through FYM + 50% RDN through neem cake or 50% RDN through FYM + 50% RDN through neem cake (T6) might improve the yield in little millet.