1. After completing this Lesson, you will be able to answer: 1.What should be the basis for deciding the amount of manures and fertilizers to pearl millet? 2.What is the recommended rate of organic manures for pearl millet? 3.What is the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium recommendation for pearl millet? 4.When do you apply nitrogen in two doses? 5.When do you apply phosphatic fertilizers? 6.When and how you will apply recommended dose of potassium? Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 4: Application of Manures and Fertilizers Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Module V: Pearl Millet Plant Nutrition

2. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 4: Application of Manures and Fertilizers Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Module V: Pearl Millet Plant Nutrition Prior to the availability of improved varieties and pearl millet hybrids, very little fertilizers were used with consequent low pearl millet yields. With the cultivation of pearl millet hybrids, fertilizer application is essential to get the yield potential of these cultivars.

3. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 4: Application of Manures and Fertilizers Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Module V: Pearl Millet Plant Nutrition A soil test is the most practical method of determining fertilizer needs of pearl millet crop. However, in the absence of soil test results, the recommended fertilizer application could be followed.

4. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 4: Application of Manures and Fertilizers Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Module V: Pearl Millet Plant Nutrition If available, organic manure should be applied as much as possible. This may suffice if the yield potential is below 1 t/ha. Where higher yields are possible, the additional use of mineral fertilizers is recommended. For rain fed crop 6-7.5 t of Farm Yard Manure (FYM) need to be applied before last ploughing and then properly incorporated.

5. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 4: Application of Manures and Fertilizers Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Module V: Pearl Millet Plant Nutrition For hybrids and high yielding varieties cultivated under irrigated conditions, the dose of FYM or compost need to be doubled i.e. 12-15 t/ha. Azospirillum, a biofertilizer, is recommended at 2 kg/ha mixed with each of 25 kg of FYM and soil, and applied at the final ploughing or at sowing. This will help not only help to reduce the rate of nitrogen fertilizer, but also enhances better utilization of applied nitrogen by the plants.

6. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 4: Application of Manures and Fertilizers Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Module V: Pearl Millet Plant Nutrition Pearl millet hybrid cultivars respond profitably to a balanced fertilizer application. Balanced fertility program improves: water use efficiency, drought-tolerance, and grain yield at the lowest possible cost.

7. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 4: Application of Manures and Fertilizers Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Module V: Pearl Millet Plant Nutrition Soil testing to know about the nutrient availability is the first step towards balanced fertilizer program. This approach do not waste fertilizer, as only required amounts are applied for an expected level of production.

8. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 4: Application of Manures and Fertilizers Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Module V: Pearl Millet Plant Nutrition Under dry land conditions with low rainfall, 30 to 40 kg/ha of nitrogen may be adequate for varieties of low yield potential. High/assured rainfall regions or irrigated areas may require 80 to 100 kg N/ha to get higher yields.

9. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 4: Application of Manures and Fertilizers Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Module V: Pearl Millet Plant Nutrition Recommended rate of nitrogen is applied in two equal split doses in light soils. The first application is done at sowing and the second 3-4 weeks after sowing coinciding with availability of sufficient soil moisture.

10. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 4: Application of Manures and Fertilizers Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Module V: Pearl Millet Plant Nutrition Soil tests showing low and very low phosphorous (P) indicate an expected response to phosphorous application, unless yield potential is restricted by insufficient moisture. Response has been erratic with medium testing soil and is unlikely when soil tests are high or very high. Response to Phosphorus

11. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 4: Application of Manures and Fertilizers Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Module V: Pearl Millet Plant Nutrition The recommended rate of phosphorus application is 25 kg P 2 O 5 /ha for rainfed pearl millet and 45 to 60 kg P 2 O 5 /ha for irrigated pearl millet. The recommended rate of phosphorus is applied in one dose, and along with nitrogen fertilizer at the time of sowing. Phosphorus has to be applied as side dressing or by placement below the seed for its efficient utilization by the plants.

12. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 4: Application of Manures and Fertilizers Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Module V: Pearl Millet Plant Nutrition Soils with medium or high in potassium will not normally show a yield response to added potassium fertilizer. For soils low in potassium (less than 150 kg/ha), the recommended rates are 25 kg/ha of K 2 0 for rainfed pearl millet and 50 kg/ha of K 2 0 for irrigated pearl millet. Like phosphorus, potassium also is applied in one dose at the time of sowing along with nitrogen fertilizer.

13. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lesson 4: Application of Manures and Fertilizers Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Module V: Pearl Millet Plant Nutrition

14. The Lesson 4 on Application of Manures and Fertilizers, and also this Module V on Pearl Millet Plant Nutrition concludes. If you would like to test your understanding about pearl millet plant nutrition, please click “Exercise” button in Module V contents. The next Module in this Course deals with the nutrient deficiency symptoms in pearl millet. Select Module VI from Course contents Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Pearl Millet Production Practices Module V: Pearl Millet Plant Nutrition