Validation of Targeted Yield Equations for Finger Millet under Southern Dry Zone of Karnataka

Abstract

General usage of fertilizers resulted in less productive soils and not being able to harvest the complete genetic potential of the crop. Hence, it’s indispensable to follow a more scientific application of fertilizer nutrients i.e, Soil Test Crop Response (STCR) approach to meet the nutrient demand of the crop and to feed the increasing human population without compromising on limited land resources. Therefore, field experiments were carried out at Mandya and Mysore to validate the fertilizer prescription equation for targeted yield of finger millet developed through STCR approach. STCR target 40 q ha-1 through integrated approach had shown comparatively higher amount of grain yield (42.65 and 42.00 q ha-1 at Mandya and Mysore respectively) compared to all other treatments. Similarly, nutrient uptake of the aforesaid treatment had shown comparatively higher (101.97, 6.54, and 55.01 kg ha-1 of N, P, and K respectively at Mandya and 99.41, 7.06, and 58.22 kg ha-1 of N, P, and K respectively at Mysore) than other treatments. The higher economics in terms of value-cost ratio was recorded from STCR treatments compared to soil test laboratory approach and general recommended dose thus proving the superiority of STCR approach over other approaches of fertilizer recommendation.