Optimizing spacing, varietal selection and weed management for enhanced growth and yield of finger millet crop

An experimental trial was conducted during Kharif 2023 and 2024 at the research farm of the Advanced Centre for Rainfed Agriculture, Dhiansar, SKUAST-Jammu, to evaluate the impact of spacing, varieties and weed management practices on the productivity of finger millet. Among the tested spacings, 20 cm × 5 cm recorded the lowest total weed density and dry weight of weeds compared to 30 cm × 10 cm spacing. This closer spacing also resulted in higher crop growth and yield parameters, suggesting its suitability for enhancing productivity. However, while 20 cm × 5 cm spacing improved plant density and yield per unit area, it may also lead to increased competition for nutrients and moisture, necessitating balanced nutrient and water management for sustainable cultivation. Among the varieties tested, VL Mandua 379 exhibited significantly superior growth and yield performance. In terms of weed management, the application of Oxyfluorfen @ 80 g ha-1 as a pre-emergence herbicide followed by Bispyribac sodium @ 20 g ha-1 as a post-emergence herbicide effectively suppressed weed density and biomass, leading to significantly higher growth and yield. This treatment also recorded the maximum weed control efficiency and lowest weed index, highlighting its effectiveness in reducing weed competition. These findings emphasize the importance of optimized spacing, variety selection and integrated weed management in improving finger millet productivity under rainfed conditions in the Jammu region.