Effect of split nitrogen application on yield attributes and grain yield of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.)

In recent times, climate change is one of the major challenges threatening global food security. In this scenario, cultivation of climate-resilient crops such as pearl millet is gaining momentum. The productivity of pearl millet mainly depends on efficient nitrogen management with optimum split application schedule. The growing popularity of nano urea across the world highlighted its importance in inclusion into split application schedules targeting efficient nitrogen management, leading to an increase in pearl millet yield. In this backdrop, the present research was conducted at Post-Graduation Research Farm, M.S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Odisha during rabi season of 2023-24. The experiment consisted of eight treatments with three replications laid out in randomized block design. The treatments included different nitrogen application schedules, combining basal and split doses with or without foliar spray of nano urea at various growth stages. The results revealed that that the application of 75% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) (50% at basal + 50% at 20 DAS) + foliar spray of nano urea (FSNU) @ 4ml/L at 40 days after sowing (DAS), 50 DAS, and 60 DAS and 75% RDN (50% at basal + 50% at 20 DAS) + FSNU @ 4ml/L at 40 DAS and 50 DAS resulted in comparable yield and yield attributes with 100% RDN of pearl millet. Therefore, 75% RDN (50% at basal + 50% at 20 DAS) + FSNU @ 4ml/L at 40 DAS and 50 DAS could be recommended for inclusion in the package of practices for pearl millet cultivation in South Odisha, India.