Optimizing growth, yield, and profitability in finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) through diverse nutrient sources

A field experiment was conducted at College of Sericulture, Chintamani during late Kharif 2023 to study the effect of different nutrient sources on growth, yield and economics of finger millet varieties. The experiment was laid out in Factorial RCBD consisting of 2 factors viz., varieties and nutrient sources with 3 levels each, and 9 treatment combinations. Among the varieties, growth and yield was found superior in ML-322 over KMR-630 and was at par with KMR-316. Application of 100 percent RDF recorded significantly higher plant height (125.6 cm), number of tillers per plant (3.93), leaf to stem ratio (0.58), number of ear heads per plant (3.04), number of fingers per earhead (7.09), finger length (7.19 cm), weight of earhead (5.09 g) and grain yield (3557 kg ha-1) and was at par with 50 percent RDN + 2 foliar sprays of 4% nano urea application @ 4.0 ml per liter. However, significantly higher total dry matter accumulation, leaf area and straw yield was observed in 50 percent RDN + 2 foliar sprays of 4% nano urea (41.9 g plant-1, 947.1 cm2 and 5367 kg ha-1, respectively). Among the varieties and nutrient sources ML 322 + 50 percent RDN + 2 foliar sprays of 4% nano urea recorded higher net returns and benefits cost ratio (₹ 68, 353 ha-1 and 2.69, respectively) followed by ML 322+ 100 percent RDF (₹ 67, 911 ha-1 and 2.66, respectively).