Effect of phosphorus and zinc application on growth and yield of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) and their residual effect on succeeding pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) under irrigated conditions of north west Rajasthan.

摘要

Field experiments were conducted in Bikaner, Rajasthan, India, during the 2003/04 and 2004/05 rabi and kharif seasons, to study the effect of phosphorus (P) and zinc (Zn) fertilizer applications on yield attributes and yield of fenugreek and their residual effect on yield of succeeding pearl millet. On a pooled basis, significant improvements were recorded in branches per plant, pods per plant, test weight, seed, straw and biological yield of fenugreek up to the application of 40 kg P< sub>2O< sub>5/ha, whereas seeds per pod increased only up to 20 kg P< sub>2O< sub>5/ha. Basal application of 5.0 kg Zn/ha significantly increased pods per plant, seed, straw and biological yield, whereas branches per plant increased up to 7.5 kg Zn/ha and seeds per pod and test weight only up to 2.5 kg Zn/ha. Foliar applications of different concentrations (0.25 and 0.5% ZnSO< sub>4) and frequency (once and twice) were inferior to the basal mode of application. Residual effect of 40 kg P< sub>2O< sub>5/ha significantly enhanced the effective tillers per plant of succeeding pearl millet, whereas ear length and test weight improved only up to the residual effect of 20 kg P< sub>2O< sub>5/ha. Seed, stover and biological yield and harvest index of pearl millet increased up to the residual effect of 60 kg P< sub>2O< sub>5/ha. The residual effect of 5.0 kg Zn/ha significantly increased effective tillers, stover and biological yield, whereas seed yield and harvest index improved significantly up to 7.5 kg Zn/ha and ear length and test weight improved only up to 2.5 kg Zn/ha. The residual effect of any foliar spray on pearl millet was not observed.