Journal of Environmental and Agricultural Sciences (JEAS). Abrar et al., 2024. 26(1&2):XX.
Open Access – Research Article
Optimizing Performance of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) Through Varying Irrigation and Nitrogen Levels
Muhammad Abrar 1, Murad Ali 1, Zahidullah 1, Hafiz Umar Farid 2, Muhammad Qamar Amin 3
1Department of Water Resources Management, University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan
2Department of Agricultural Engineering, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan.
3Institute of Computer Science, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Germany
Abstract
Pearl millet, a nutritious and sustainable alternative to traditional cereal crops, holds significant potential for enhancing food security and climate change adaptation. Despite its wide range of benefits, pearl millet remained underutilized with limited attention and priority given to its cultivation in Pakistan. This study was designed to evaluate the impact of different irrigation and nitrogen levels on the performance of millet crop. The research was conducted at the Agricultural Research Farm of the Department of Agricultural Engineering, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Pakistan. using randomized complete block design (RCBD) with split-plot arrangements and three replications. Experimental treatments included three irrigation levels (100, 75, and 50 %), and four nitrogen levels (60, 80, 100, and 120 kg ha-1). The results indicated that both irrigation and nitrogen levels significantly influenced the growth and yield parameters of pearl millet. The highest stem thickness (2.78 cm), spike length (48.11 cm), grain yield (2015.89 kg ha-1) and water productivity (0.14 kg m-3) were observed when pearl millet plants were treated with 100 kg N ha-1. Conversely, the lowest values of these parameters were observed when pearl millet plants were treated with 60 kg N ha-1. Considering irrigation treatments, application of 75 % irrigation produced the best results, with a maximum stem thickness (2.42 cm), spike length (42.75 cm), grain yield (1886.83 kg), and water productivity (0.13 kg m-3). However, the lowest values of stem thickness (1.60 cm), length of the spike (20.50 cm), grain yield (1596.6 kg), and water productivity (0.10 kg m-3) of pearl millet crop were recorded when treated with 50 % of irrigation. Moreover, the highest plant height (208.56 cm) and biological yield (14.2 kg) was achieved with the application of 120 kg N ha⁻¹ and 100% irrigation, respectively. It was concluded from the results that the optimum performance of pearl millet for grain yield was achieved with 75 % of full irrigation with the combination of 100 kg N ha-1. It is suggested for the growers utilizing pearl millet as a fodder crop, the best application levels are 100% irrigation and 120 kg N ha⁻¹. These findings provide valuable insights for pearl millet growers and policymakers in Pakistan, promoting sustainable and productive pearl millet cultivation practices.
Keywords: Climate change adaptation, food security, nutrient management, plant nutrition, sustainable agriculture, water productivity, water stress, water-nitrogen interaction.
*Corresponding author: Muhammad Abrar
Cite this article as
Muhammad Abrar, M., M. Ali, Zahidullah, H.U. Farid, M.Q. Amin. 2024. Optimizing performance of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) through varying irrigation and nitrogen levels. Journal of Environmental & Agricultural Sciences. 26 (1&2):xx-xx [Abstract] [View Full–Text] [Citations].
Copyright © Abrar et al., 2024 This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium provided the original author and source are appropriately cited and credited.
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Competing Interest Statement: The authors have declared that they have no competing interests and there is no conflict of interest exists.
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