Growth and yield response of proso millet to varying nitrogen levels and plant spacing (Panicum miliaceum L.)

Abstract

The present investigation titled “Role of Nitrogen Levels and Spacing on Growth and Yield of Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.)” was conducted during the Kharif season of 2024 at the Crop Research Farm (CRF), Department of Agronomy, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences (SHUATS), Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The experiment was arranged in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with nine treatment combinations and three replications. The treatments included varying nitrogen levels and plant spacing as follows: T1 - 40 kg N/ha + 25 cm × 10 cm, T2 - 40 kg N/ha + 35 cm × 10 cm, T3 - 40 kg N/ha + 45 cm × 10 cm, T4 - 60 kg N/ha + 25 cm × 10 cm, T5 - 60 kg N/ha + 35 cm × 10 cm, T6 - 60 kg N/ha + 45 cm × 10 cm, T7 - 90 kg N/ha + 25 cm × 10 cm, T8 - 90 kg N/ha + 35 cm × 10 cm, T9 - 90 kg N/ha + 45 cm × 10 cm. The results indicated that treatment T5 (60 kg N/ha + 35 cm × 10 cm spacing) recorded significantly superior performance in several growth and yield parameters, including maximum plant height (60.53 cm), dry weight per plant (2.00 g), ear head length (26.67 cm), number of grains per ear head (147.35), test weight (5.58 g), and seed yield (1227.42 kg/ha). Based on these findings, it can be concluded that applying 60 kg N/ha combined with 35 cm × 10 cm spacing is the most effective treatment for maximizing yield and economic returns in Proso millet cultivation.