Association of Agrometeorologists

Optimum fertilizer in relation to seasonal rainfall in pearl millet and groundnut crops in semi-arid vertisol of Rajkot (Gujarat, India) region

K.N.AKBARI, G.R.MARUTHI SANKAR, V.D.VORA, G.S.SUTARIA, M.K.KHISTARIA and D.R.PADMANI

A field experiment was conducted to select a sustainable treatment and optimize N in relation to seasonal rainfall for attaining maximum and economic yield of pearlmillet in a semi-arid Vertisol (Rajkot, Gujarat state, India). The treatments were different combinations of urea, green leaf and compost Crops was raised in eight seasons with permanent and rotation strip .Based on regression analysis, fertilizer N dose of 38 and 44 kg ha-1 at crop seasonal rainfall of 250 mm; 55 and 64 kg ha-1 at 500 mm; and 73 and 84 kg ha-1 at 750 mm was found to be optimum for targeting maximum yield of pearlmillet under permanent and rotation strips, respectively. Similarly, a dose of 25 and 29 kg ha-1 at 250 mm; 42 and 49 kg ha-1 at 500 mm; and 60 and 69 kg ha-1 a at 750 mm rainfall was optimum for attaining economic yield of pearlmillet under permanent and rotation strips, respectively in a semi-arid condition. Similar results were obtained with groundnut crop.

Optimum rainfall, fertilizer application, economic yield, pearlmillet, groundnut