Response of Transplanted Finger Millet to Integrated Nutrient Management under Central Malwa Region of Madhya Pradesh, India

Vermicompost technology for composting of organic wastes is remarkably effective for reducing the processing time of decomposition and producing good quality compost in terms of nutrients. It serves as an important component of an integrated plant nutrient supply system for balanced fertilization, along with maintaining health to sustain the productivity of soils. This study aimed to find out the best combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers for maximum production of transplanted finger millet. The experiment was conducted during kharif, 2024, at a new experimental cum demonstration field, SVIAg, SVVV, Indore. The field experiment was carried out in randomized block design with eight treatments consisted of T1 – Absolute control, T2 – RDF, T3 – 75% RDF + 25% RDN through FYM, T4 - 50% RDF + 50% RDN through FYM, T5 - 75% RDF + 25% RDN through vermicompost, T6 - 50% RDF + 50% RDN through vermicompost, T7 - 75% RDF + 25% RDN through poultry manure, T8 - 50% RDF + 50% RDN through poultry manure and each experimental unit was replicated thrice having the gross plot size of 3.60 x 4.50 m2 and net plot 2.15 x 4.30 m2. This experiment tested the recommended finger millet variety, Dapoli 3. Treatment, 75% RDF + 25% RDN through poultry manure recorded significantly maximum growth characters viz., plant height (99.33 cm), number of leaves (16.27 ) plant-1 at 90 DAT, number of tillers hill-1 (13.97) and dry matter accumulation plant-1 ( 59.97 gm) at harvest, yield contributing character such as number of effective tillers (11.73), number of fingers earhead-1 (7.83) and finger length (7.07 cm) grain yield (12.56 q ha-1), straw yield (25.28 q ha-1) and biological yield (37.84 q ha-1) over rest of the treatments and was on par with treatment 50% RDF and 50% RDN through poultry manure and RDF. While the lowest values were observed under absolute control. Consequently, this treatment resulted in higher growth, yield attributes and yield as compared to the remaining treatments. Hence, it is advisable to apply 75% RDF + 25% RDN through poultry manure to get the maximum yield of finger millet.