BHAWNA, NARESH KUMAR*, SUSHIL, SATPAL, SHALINI SHARMA AND RAJESH KATHWAL
Department of Agricultural Meteorology, CCS HAU, Hisar (Haryana), India
Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding (Forage Section), CCS HAU, Hisar (Haryana), India
Department of Biochemistry, Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi, India
Regional Research Station (Horticulture), Buria, Yamunanagar, CCS HAU, Hisar (Haryana), India
*(e-mail: naren1080@yahoo.co.in)
(Received : 14 September; Accepted : 28 September)
SUMMARY
As the global demand for food continues to rise, optimizing pearl millet production becomes increasingly important. This research paper investigates the impact of different row orientations (NS and EW) on the growth and yield of pearl millet cultivars, namely HHB 299, HC 20 Composite, and HHB 67 Improved. The field experiment was carried out at the Research Farm of Department of Agricultural Meteorology of CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana located at a geographical position of 75°46` E longitude and 29°10` N latitude, at an elevation of 215.2 meters above sea level during the 2022 kharif season, with four replications each. The maximum value of LAI was higher in NS direction (5.83) as compared to EW direction (4.82). Dry matter accumulation at maturity was 107.11 and 101.21 g/plant in NS and east west direction, respectively. Highest dry matter was produced by HHB 299 among cultivars. Furthermore, HHB 299 also yielded the maximum grain production, with the NS sown crops outperforming the EW sown ones in terms of grain yield. The harvest index was at its peak in the NS sowing orientation, standing at 24.6%, while the EW sowing displayed a slightly lower harvest index of 23.3%.
Key words: Dry matter accumulation, LAI, pearl millet, row orientation, yield