Effect of finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) varieties to different spacings in kharif season

Introduction

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn), a nutrient-rich C4 crop, is primarily cultivated in the semi-arid regions of Asia and Africa due to its adaptability to drought, poor soils, and rainfed conditions. Originating from the highlands of Uganda and Ethiopia, it is widely grown in India, which contributes approximately 85% of the global production. Known as ragi in India, finger millet is valued for its high calcium, dietary fiber, and balanced amino acid content. It is consumed in traditional forms such as roti, porridge, and dumplings and plays a vital role in the diets of rural communities. Its grains can be stored for long periods, enhancing food security. Despite its benefits, finger millet remains underutilized due to limited agronomic research, labor shortages, and preference for other cereals like rice and maize. Low yields are often linked to poor seed quality and improper plant spacing. Optimizing varietal selection and spacing can significantly improve productivity. Finger millet accounts for about 9% of total millet production in India, ranking third after pearl millet (62%) and sorghum (26%). Maharashtra leads millet production among Indian states, contributing around 11% of the country's total millet output (Anonymous, 2023) [1] . In Maharashtra, the crop is mainly cultivated in hilly and sloping areas of Konkan, Nashik, Pune, and Kolhapur, which alone accounts for over 21,000 hectares under cultivation (Choudhar et al., 2024) [2] . The development and use of diverse crop varieties are essential for achieving sustainable, productive, and food-secure agricultural systems. Improved varieties enhance a crop's resilience by increasing resistance to diseases and enabling tolerance to environmental stresses such as drought and high temperatures.

Crop geometry is an important component to attain higher production through better utilization of moisture and nutrients from the below ground root spread and above ground plant canopy by harvesting maximum possible solar radiation and sequentially improves photosynthates formation. In the case of finger millet, low productivity is often attributed to the use of poor-quality seeds and improper spacing. Therefore, selecting suitable varieties and adopting optimal spacing practices are key strategies for improving yield. Considering above facts, the present investigation was carried out to study the Effect of finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) varieties to spacings in kharif season.

Materials and Methods

A field experiment was conducted during the kharif season of 2024-25 at Agronomy farm, College of Agriculture, Latur (M.S.). The Latur district falls within the semi-arid zone of Maharashtra. The soil of the experimental site was clayey in texture, slightly alkaline, with a pH of 7.58, very low available nitrogen (137.98 kg ha -1 ), low in available phosphorus (7.46 kg ha -1 ) and very high in available potassium (1045.60 kg ha -1 ). The experiment was laid out in Split Plot Design with two factors and replicated thrice. Main comprises the three different varieties viz. V 1 -Phule Nachani, V 2 -Phule Kasari and V 3 -Dapoli-1 and sub factor comprises the three spacings viz. S 1 -30 cm × 10 cm, S 2 -45 cm × 15 cm and S 3 -45 cm × 20 cm. Each experimental unit was 5.4 m × 4.6 m in size. The net plot size varied as per the treatments. Sowing was done on 28 June, 2024 by dibbling. The recommended fertilizer dose of 60:30:30 NPK kg ha -1 was applied. Half the dose of nitrogen and entire dose of phosphorus and potassium in the form of urea, single super phosphate (SSP) and muriate of potash (MOP) respectively were applied as per the treatments at the time of sowing. Remaining 50% of nitrogen was applied at 30 DAS. The recommended cultural practices and plant protection measures were undertaken. The statistical technique of analysis of variance was employed to analyse the recorded data (Panse and Sukhatme, 1967) [5] .

Results and Discussion

Growth attributes

Growth attributing characters of finger millet viz., plant height (cm), number of tillers plant -1 , and number of functional leaves plant -1 , leaf area plant -1 (dm 2 ) and total dry matter production plant -1 (g), were influenced significantly by varieties and spacings are presented in Table 1.

Effect of varieties

Among the finger millet varieties, Dapoli-1 (V 3 ) resulted in higher growth attributes viz. number of tillers plant -1 (3.12), number of leaves plant -1 (45.5), leaf area (5.14 dm 2 ) and dry matter production plant -1 (51.6 g) which were at par with Phule Kasari (V 2 ) and significantly superior over Phule Nachani (V 1 ) However highest plant height (104.4 cm) was recorded by Phlule Nachani (V 1 ) which was at par with Phule Kasari (V 2 ) and significantly superior over Dapoli-1 (V 3 ). The significant differences in growth attributes of different varieties might be due to their genetic constituent. Similar results were reported by Pol et al., (2024) [6] .

Effect of spacings

Among the different spacings, the wider spacing of 45 cm × 20 cm (S 3 ) produced higher value of number of tillers plant -1 (3.24), number of functional leaves plant -1 (45.6), leaf area plant -1 (4.88 dm 2 ) and dry matter production plant -1 (51 g) which was at par with 45 cm × 15 cm (S 2 ) and found significantly superior over 30 cm × 10 cm (S 1 ). However, highest value of plant height (105.4 cm) was recorded with the closer spacing 30 cm × 10 cm (S 1 ) which was at par with 45 cm × 15 cm (S 2 ) and found significantly superior over 45 cm × 20 cm (S 3 ). It could be attributed due to higher plant population with closer spacing, resulted in taller plant height in search of adequate light. The decrease in plant height in wider spacing might be due to availability of more space and solar radiation. The numbers of tillers are highest in wider spacing because of more availability of space, nutrients, light per plant that helps to produce more number of tillers per plant resulted in more number of leaves per plant. The leaf area is highest in wider spacing because of more availability of nutrients, space and light to leaves that help to produce their maximum leaf area. Dry matter production per plant on wider spacing is maximum of ample availability of light, space and nutrients that helps to utilize them so efficiently to produce maximum dry matter per plant. Similar results were recorded by Roy et al. (2001) [9] , Siddiqui et al. (2020) [10] , Minz et al. (2021) [3] and Reddy and Singh (2021) [8] .

Yield

Data in Table 2 revealed that grain and biological yield of finger millet were affected significantly due to varieties and spacings.

Effect of varieties

Among the finger millet varieties, highest grain yield (1763 kg ha -1 ) and biological yield (7726 kg ha -1 ) were recorded in Dapoli-1 (V 3 ) which was significantly at par with Phule Kasari (V 2 ) and found significantly superior over Phule Nachani (V 1 ). Numerically highest value of harvest index (22.95%) recorded in Dapoli-1(V 3 ). The significant differences in yield different varieties might be due to their genetic constituent. Similar results were reported by Pol et al., (2024) [6] .

Effect of spacings

Among the spacings, the narrow spacing 30 cm × 10 cm (S 1 ) recorded the highest grain yield (1733 kg ha -1 ) and biological yield (7932 kg ha -1 ) which was at par with the spacing of 45 cm × 15 cm (S 2 ) and found significantly superior over 45 cm × 20 cm (S 3 ). The higher value for harvest index was recorded in intermediate spacing 45 cm × 15 cm (S 2 ). The improved yield in closer spacing might be due to increased number of plants per unit area. The denser planting arrangement led to higher total grain yield Thus, higher plant density was the primary reason for higher yield, which was observed with narrower spacing. Similar results were recorded by Tadele et al., (2016) [11] , Panchal et al (2014) [4] and Ravindran and Ranganathan (2016) [7] .

Interaction effect

The effect of interaction between varieties and spacings on growth attributes and yield were found to be non-significant.

Conclusion

From above results it can be concluded that among the different varieties, Dapoli-1 was found to be more remunerative for getting higher growth and yield of finger millet followed by Phule Kasari. However, narrow spacing of 30 × 10 cm (S 1 ) resulted in higher growth attributing characters and yield of finger millet followed by spacing 45 × 15 cm (S 2 ).

References

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