Effect of different levels of fertilizers on growth and yield of little millet (Panicum sumatrense Roth ex Roem and Schult)

A field experiment was conducted during 2016 in the agronomy field of College of Agriculture, University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga, Karnataka. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with twelve treatments having three replications. The treatments comprised combinations of three levels of nitrogen (10, 20 and 30 kg N/ha), two levels of phosphorus (10 and 20 kg P/ha) and two levels of potassium(0 and 10 kgK/ha). Among the different combinations of NPK fertilizers tested application of 30 kg N and 20 kg P₂O₅ with or with out 10 kg K₂O performed better for achieving growth and yield components compared to lower levels of fertilizer application. The application of 30: 20: 10 kg NPK/ha achieved taller plants (71.27 cm), more number of leaves (40.87/plant), more tillers (10.87/plant), higher leaf area (619.44 cm²/plant) and total dry matter accumulation (24.25 g/plant). Similarly better yield parameters like number of productive tillers/plant (9.40), panicle length (13.43 cm), number of grains/panicle (592) and test weight (3.39 g) were also achieved in the same set of treatment. Application of 30: 20: 10 kg NPK/ha achieved highest grain (1580 kg/ha) and straw (1603 kg/ha) yields apart from higher profit (Rs 8657) and was found economically feasible over recommended nutrient level of 20: 20 kg NP/ha and remained best among the tested treatments.