Effect of Application of Graded Level of Phosphorus to Finger Millet-Maize Cropping System

Abstract

Fertilizers are one of the costly inputs but continue to exert significant contribution to produce additional food grains. To realize maximum benefits and reduce nutrient losses from fertilizers, they must be applied in the right quantity, source and combination at the right time using the right method. An investigation on requirement of P for finger millet and maize in EDZ of Karnataka was taken at UAS, Bangalore. Response of finger millet and maize to graded levels of P was studied in the field by creating five phosphorus fertility gradients viz., P0 (Very low), P1 (Low), P2 (Medium), P3 (High) and P4 (Very high) (< 15: 16-30: 31-45: 46-60: > 60 kg P2O5 ha-1, respectively). Results revealed that, application of 125% RDP with rec. NK&FYM recorded higher finger millet (31.66 and 55.32 q ha-1 grain and straw, respectively) and maize (78.26 q ha-1 grain) yield in high P strip. Grain yield and harvest index of cropping system as a whole improved significantly in FYM supplied plots. Phosphorus use efficiency in maize was higher than finger millet. The higher use efficiency was recorded in very low gradient strip. Higher PUE among treatments was obtained when P was applied at the rate of 75 % of recommended dose along with rec. N&K. Application of 75 % rec. P + rec. N&K recorded higher B: C ratio in both the crops and was the best and optimum P prescription for these crops as the P use efficiency was also higher.