Soil Nutrient Chemistry and Productivity Response of Pearl Millet to Integrated Vermicompost and Biofertilizer Management

Volume 14, Issue 56, 2025 (October – December)

Research Article
Soil Nutrient Chemistry and Productivity Response of Pearl Millet to Integrated Vermicompost and Biofertilizer Management
Ankit Kumar, Babu Lal Choudhary, Hoshiyar Singh, Mahaveer Prsad Ola and Vishvendra Singh
Keywords: bio-fertilizer, growth and yield
DOI:10.37273/chesci.cs312056084

Full Text – PDF

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the Kharif season of 2024 at the Agriculture Research Farm, Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur. The soil of the experimental field was characterized as loamy sand in texture, slightly alkaline in reaction with an EC in the safe range, low in organic carbon and nitrogen, but possessing medium phosphorus and potassium levels. The experiment was structured as a Randomized Block Design with three replications, encompassing nine distinct treatments: (T1) 100 % RDF, (T2) 75 % RDF + 3.5 tha Vermicompost, (T3) 75 % RDF + 3.5 tha Vermicompost + seed treatment with Azotobacter at 600 gha, (T4) 75 % RDF + 3.5 tha Vermicompost + seed treatment with PSB at 600 gha, (T5) 75 % RDF + 3.5 tha Vermicompost + seed treatment with Azotobacter + PSB at 600 gha each, (T6) 50 % RDF + 4.5 tha Vermicompost, (T7) 50 % RDF + 4.5 tha Vermicompost + seed treatment with Azotobacter at 600 gha, (T8) 50 % RDF + 4.5 tha Vermicompost + seed treatment with PSB at 600 gha and (T9) 50 % RDF + 4.5 tha Vermicompost + seed treatment with Azotobacter + PSB at 600 gha each. Pioneer 86M82, a variety of pearl millet, served as the test crop.

Results indicated that the maximum growth parameters, yield attributes, and yield were achieved with Treatment T5 (75 % RDF + 3.5 tha Vermicompost + seed treatment with Azotobacter + PSB at 600 gha each). The, grain and stover yields for this treatment were 2947.44 kg ha⁻¹ and 6871.67 kg ha⁻¹, respectively. Among all treatments, Treatment T5 also showed the highest net return (Rs. 61591.93 kg ha⁻¹) and B:C ratio (1.4).

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