Influence of nano fertilizers on agronomic traits of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) under irrigated conditions

Pearl millet is a nutrient-dense cereal grain that can withstand heat and drought. The study aimed to assess the impact of nano fertilizers, combining inorganic and organic sources, on pearl millet's growth and yield parameters. Two season field trials were conducted in the south farm of Karunya University, Coimbatore (10.934°N Latitude, 76.75°E Longitude) during the late kharif season of 2022 and 2023. The field experiment was conducted in Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD) with 2 factors, soil and foliar applications. The treatments included soil treatments with 100% Recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF), 75% RDF + Farmyard manure (FYM), 75% RDF + Vermicompost, 50% RDF + FYM and 50% RDF + Vermicompost, as well as foliar treatments with Nano DAP, Nano urea and Nanoemulsion biofertilizer. The Nanoemulsion biofertilizer treatment at 30 and 45 days after sowing (DAS) (F3) increased plant height (198.85 cm), no. of tillers/plant (6.10), dry matter production (7093.46 kg/ha), leaf area index (LAI) (1.66), chlorophyll index (32.36), crop growth rate (CGR) (6.43 g/m/day), ear head length (24.34 cm), ear head girth (3.41 cm), total number of effective tillers/plant (5.33) and test weight (14.44 g) were all higher for the 50% RDF + Vermicompost at 5 t/ha treatment than for the other soil and foliar spray treatments. Integrated nutrient management with nanoemulsion biofertilizer application was chosen as a better option to increase higher crop yield improvements by 10-30%, potentially reducing chemical fertilizer costs by 20-40% and enhancing farmers' profit margins by 15-50%. By integrating this approach, large-scale agricultural operations could see significant financial benefits, making it an attractive option for commercial adoption.