Performance of nitrogen and zinc levels on growth, yield, quality and economics of fodder pearl millet under dry land condition

A field experiment entitled "Performance of nitrogen and zinc levels on growth, yield, quality and economics of fodder pearl millet under Dry land condition” was conducted during kharif season of 2015-16 at the farm Of Agronomy in Bhagwant University, Ajmer (Rajasthan). The soil of experimental plot was sandy loam in texture, slightly alkaline in reaction, low in organic carbon and in available nitrogen and low in available phosphorus but having fairly rich status of available potassium. The experiment was laid out in Factorial randomized block design, replicated thrice with twenty treatments. The gross and net plot size was 5.5 x 4.0 m2 and 3.5 x 2.5 m2, respectively. The various treatments tried under study showed no significant influence on the initial and final plant stands by the various dose of Nitrogen and Zn. The height of plants, number of functional leaves, leaf area, leaf area index, total dry matter accumulation, number of tillers, per plant leaf: stem ratio and chlorophyll content of leaves, were recorded higher with the application of N130 than the rest of treatments.  The green and dry fodder yield showed significant response with increasing N levels up to 105 N ha-1 and further increase in N level to 130 kg/ha though maximized the green and dry fodder yields. The quality parameters viz., crude protein and ether extract increased significantly with increasing nitrogen dose up to 130 kg/ha,. While crude fiber and ash content were found non-significant with nitrogen application up to the highest level. The N and Zn content both the cuttings and their total uptake also improved with increasing N levels in fodder pearl millet. Application of 25 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 increased green fodder and dry matter yields significantly over control and 20 kg ZnSO4 ha-1. Also, quality parameters and N, Zn status of dry matter improved with increasing dose of ZnSO4 up to 50kg/ha compared to rest doses of Zn. The economic evaluation of treatment indicates that net monetary returns and B:C ratios raised with increasing the level of either of the (Nitrogen or Zn) realized maximum values of  total green fodder yield  was recorded by high dose of Nitrogen  and Zn (384.75 and 352.68 q ha-1  respectively) and net returns (61440  ha-1 ).