Performance of forage pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) as influenced by sowing window, spacing and nitrogen levels

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of sowing window, spacing and nitrogen levels on growth of Pearlmillet (Pennisetum glaucum L.). The experiment was carried out at AICRP on Forage Crops and Utilization Field, ARI, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, during kharif, 2024, with 3 dates of sowing (1st fortnight of June, 2nd fortnight of June and 1st fortnight of July)and also with 6 spacing and nitrogen levels (45x10 cm + 80 kg N ha-1, 45x10 cm +100 kg N ha-1, 60x10 cm + 80 kg N ha-1, 60x10 cm +100 kg N ha-1, 75x10 cm + 80 kg N ha-1and 75x10 cm +100 kg N ha-1). The results revealed that among different dates of sowing, the highest plant height, number of leaves plant-1, number of tillers plant-1, dry matter production, days to 50% flowering and stover yield were recorded with 1st Fortnight of June. Among the different spacing and nitrogen levels, the maximum plant height, were recorded under treatment 75x10 cm +100 kg N ha-1 but higher number of tillers plant-1, number of leaves plant-1, dry matter production, days to 50% flowering and stover yield recorded with a spacing of 60x10 cm and application of 100 kg N ha-1 with recommended dose of N.