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Indian Journal of Pure & Applied Biosciences (IJPAB)
Year : 2019, Volume : 7, Issue : 6
First page : (118) Last page : (128)
Article doi: : http://dx.doi.org/10.18782/2582-2845.7832

Characterization of Zeolite and Its Influence on Growth and Yield of Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana L.) in Eastern Dry Zone of Karnataka

Shivakumara M. N.^1*, Krishnamurthy R.², Subbarayappa C. T.³, Chamegowda, T. C.³ Thimmegowda, M. N.⁴ and Muthuraju R.^5
1Ph.D. Scholar, ²Associate Professor, ³Professor
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry,
⁴Agronomist, AICRP on Dryland Agriculture,
⁵Asst. Professor, Department of Agricultural Microbiology
University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore- 560065, Karnataka, India
*Corresponding Author E-mail: mnshivakumara@gmail.com
Received: 14.09.2019  |  Revised: 21.10.2019   |  Accepted: 26.10.2019  

 ABSTRACT

A field experiment was conducted at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, GKVK, Bengaluru during kharif-2017 to characterize the chemical and physical properties of zeolite and to study its influence on growth and yield of finger millet. The pH of zeolite recorded 7.41 and it has higher water holding capacity of 89.5%, electrical conductivity was 0.61 dS m-1. The nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content of zeolite were 0.14, 0.18 and 0.77 per cent, respectively. The cation exchange capacity of zeolite was 184 cmol (p+) kg-1. The bulk density and particle density of zeolite were 0.54 and 0.64 g cc-1, respectively. Field experiment consists of 20 treatment combinations comprising five levels of zeolite and four levels of graded fertilizers, laid out in RCBD design with factorial concept and replicated thrice on sandy loam soil having slightly acidic soil pH (5.52). The treatment received zeolite at 50 kg ha-1 recorded significantly higher plant height (15.95, 51.70 70.34 and 76.17 cm at 30, 60, 90 DAS and at harvest stage, respectively). Number of tillers per hill (7.70), total dry matter production (40.36 g hill-1), number of fingers per ear head (5.97), straw yield (46.22 q ha-1) and grain yield (34.84). Significantly higher plant height was recorded in treatment received 125 per cent RDF (14.89, 47.02, 66.55 and 72.85 cm, respectively) and 100 per cent RDF (14.87, 46.32, 66.38, 72.28 cm, respectively) in 30, 60, 90 DAS and at harvest stage, respectively.  Significantly higher grain (33.88 q ha-1) and straw yield (44.08 q ha-1) was recorded in 125% RDF.  The dry matter production (41.89 g per hill) straw yield (48.30 q ha-1), grain yield (36.32 q ha-1) and number of fingers per ear head (5.94 ) were recorded  significantly higher in treatment received 50 kg zeolite ha-1+ 125% RDF.

Keywords: Zeolite, Finger Millet, Nutrient content, Growth, Yield

Full Text : PDF; Journal doi : http://dx.doi.org/10.18782

Cite this article: Shivakumara, M.N., Krishnamurthy, R., Subbarayappa, C.T., Chamegowda, T.C., Thimmegowda, M.N., & Muthuraju, R. (2019). Characterization of Zeolite and Its Influence on Growth and Yield of Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana L.) in Eastern Dry Zone of Karnataka, Ind. J. Pure App. Biosci. 7(6), 118-128. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.18782/2582-2845.7832