Effect of soil fertility on growth and yield attributes of different millets in the agro-ecological unit of Kuttanad (AEU-4) in Kottayam district, Kerala

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of soil fertility on the growth and yield of millets in Vechoor and Aymanam Panchayats in Kuttanad (AEU -4) in Kottayam district. The experiment was conducted with six millet crops, including three major millets, namely Sorghum (CSH 14), Pearl millet (CO 10), and finger millet (KMR301) and three minor millets, namely foxtail millet (DHFT-109-3), little millet (OLM 203) and barnyard millet (CO 2), in two types of soil i.e., one land filled with laterite soil in Vechoor and the other the alluvial soil of Aymanam. Each crop was replicated thrice in two soil types. There was drastic variation in soil fertility status of the two locations. The alluvial soil had an organic carbon content of 4.8% compared to 0.3% of the laterite soil. Similarly, the available phosphorus and potassium content also varied, being sufficient in alluvial soil, whereas both were deficient in laterite soil of Vechoor. The soil fertility had significant influence on plant height of all the millet crops. The crops grown in the fertile alluvial soil of Aymanam were superior in plant height compared to those grown in laterite soil of Vechoor. The test weight of grains was significantly influenced by soil fertility in the case of Sorghum, Pearl millet, and Foxtail millet. Pearl millet recorded its potential test weight in both soil types (7.71 g and 6.37 g in alluvial and laterite soils, respectively). The effect of soil fertility on grain yield was significant on all the millet crops, with alluvial soils recording higher yields. Pearl millet recorded higher grain yield in both the soils. The higher test weight and grain yield of pearl millet could be attributed to the potential yield of the crop.