Effect of fertilizer levels and foliar application of NPK (19:19:19) on growth, yield and yield attributes of Kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum L.)

Introduction

Kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum L.) is an important nutri-cereal predominantly grown in India, mainly under low-fertility soils for both food and fodder purposes. It is commonly known by various names such as ditch millet, rice grass, cowgrass, varagu and kodra. Owing to its high drought tolerance, kodo millet is well suited for cultivation in low rainfall and rainfed regions. Millets are increasingly recognized as alternative cereals due to their superior nutritional qualities and their ability to perform well under low input conditions (Kapil and Singh, 2023) [18] . In India, minor millets are cultivated over an area of about 4.58 lakh hectares, with a total production of 3.70 lakh tonnes and an average productivity of 809 kg ha⁻¹. The major small millet-growing states include Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu. Millet cultivation gradually declined following the Green Revolution due to relatively lower productivity and reduced preference among the farming community. Additionally, changing food consumption patterns, driven by increased cultivation and availability of cereals and pulses, contributed to the decline in millet consumption. However, in recent years, consumer interest in millets has been increasing owing to the rising prevalence of diabetes worldwide. Regular consumption of kodo millet has been reported to help in preventing cardiovascular diseases and in reducing blood pressure and cholesterol levels (Singh et al., 2023) [18] . Kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum L.) is an annual cereal crop primarily cultivated in India and Nepal and is also grown in countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and parts of West Africa, where it is believed to have originated. In India, the major kodo millet-growing states include Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka (Anonymous, 2023) [1] . The crop is cultivated over an area of about 1.96 lakh hectares, with an annual production of 3.86 lakh tonnes and an average productivity of 429 kg ha⁻¹ (Anonymous, 2025) [3] . Kodo millet is important small millet grown for grain, food and fodder, particularly in tribaldominated regions. Nutritionally, kodo millet contains approximately 9.8 g protein, 3.6 g fat, 3.3 g ash, 5.2 g crude fibre, 66.6 g carbohydrates and 353 kcal of energy per 100 g of grain (Anonymous, 2023) [1] . It is characterized by low fat content and high levels of fibre, carbohydrates and protein. Kodo millet is mainly cultivated as a sole crop and provides higher net returns compared to other minor millets due to its relatively higher productivity, favorable market price and additional fodder value. Moreover, the iron content of kodo millet ranges from 25.86 to 39.60 ppm, highlighting its nutritional significance (Sneha et al., 2025) [14] . Kodo millet is well suited for individuals with gluten intolerance, as it is naturally gluten free. Owing to its higher lecithin content, kodo millet is easily digestible and supports the proper functioning of the nervous system. Regular consumption of kodo millet is particularly beneficial for postmenopausal women suffering from cardiovascular disorders, including hypertension and elevated cholesterol levels. The crop is rich in antioxidants, which help protect against oxidative stress and assist in maintaining stable blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Kodo millet has also been reported to be helpful in managing conditions such as asthma, migraines, high blood pressure, heart ailments, atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease. Consequently, research on millet-based products is gaining increasing importance to harness their health benefits, especially in view of the rising population in developing countries. Fertilizers play a crucial role in enhancing crop yield and quality, particularly with the advent of high-yielding varieties that respond effectively to nutrient inputs. Most crops, including kodo millet, require substantial amounts of inorganic fertilizers for optimal growth. Crop productivity, such as in rice, largely depends on soil properties and the availability of essential nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur and zinc. Among these, nitrogen is particularly critical for achieving higher yields in kodo millet. Nitrogen plays a vital role in the synthesis of chlorophyll, which is essential for photosynthesis, making it one of the most important nutrients for plant growth. It imparts a healthy green color to leaves and promotes vigorous vegetative development. In kodo millet, nitrogen is particularly critical during early vegetative growth and panicle initiation stages. Application of nitrogen during early vegetative stages enhances tillering and overall vegetative growth, contributing to higher yield, while nitrogen application at panicle initiation or early booting improves grain size and weight per panicle. Nitrogen is also a key component of various enzymes and proteins that regulate and catalyze plant metabolic processes. A balanced supply of nitrogen has been reported to positively influence growth and yield parameters in kodo millet, including panicle length, dry matter accumulation and number of panicles (Kashyap et al., 2025) [10] . Foliar application of nutrients is considered more efficient than soil application, as it requires smaller amounts of fertilizer to meet crop nutrient needs. With the rising cost of fertilizers, foliar feeding provides a cost-effective strategy to improve cereal crop yields. In recent years, Maharashtra has experienced dry spells of 15-35 days during the kharif season (Anonymous, 2023) [1] , which have adversely affected crop growth and productivity. Foliar nutrition can enhance drought tolerance by minimizing water loss through evapotranspiration, thereby helping crops withstand the impact of such dry periods.

Materials and methods

Conclusion

The results showed that growth parameters, viz., plant height, dry matter production, number of tillers and effective tillers were significantly influenced by nutrient management practices. The highest plant height, dry matter production, number of tillers and effective tillers at respective stages were found to be higher under treatment

References

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