Impact of zinc fortification on yield and quality of Pearl millet (<i>Pennisetum glaucum</i> L.) in the Western ghat region of Coimbatore District under irrigated conditions

Pearl millet is recognized for its resilience to harsh climates and high nutritional value, making it a key crop for climate-resilient and low-input agricultural systems. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of zinc fertilization in Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) hybrids in conjunction with nitrogen fertilizer. During the Kharif seasons of 2022 and 2023, the study was conducted in the field at South Farm, Karunya Institute of Technology & Sciences (KITS) campus, Karunya University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Six sub-plot treatments were examined in the main plots for two hybrids, M1 (non-biofortified) and M2 (biofortified), as well as their corresponding foliar applications supplemented with ZnO (S4, S5, and S6) and soil nitrogen applications at 40 kg ha-1 (S1), 60 kg ha-1 (S2), and 80 kg ha-1 (S3). Zinc fortification using 80 kg ha-1 N and ZnO foliar spray (S6) significantly improved pearl millet growth, yield, and quality in the western ghat zone of Tamil Nadu, India. Application of Zinc oxide @ 0.5% foliar spray at 25 and 50 days after sowing with 80 kg ha-1 of N fertilizer (S6) had shown significant higher plant height (194.01 cm), grain yield (3.62 t ha-1), crude protein (10.85%), iron (79.33 mg kg-1) and zinc (42.32 mg kg-1). This study offers novel insights into optimizing nutrient management for pearl millet, a crucial crop for food and nutritional security within climate-resilient farming systems. These findings not only contribute to the development of low-input, nutrient-rich crop production models but also support the broader goals of sustainable agriculture and biofortification to combat hidden hunger in marginal environments.