Production potential of dual-purpose pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) as an alternate crop under changing climatic conditions

Meenakshi Gupta; Vikas Gupta; Brinder Singh; Vivek Bhagat; Shubam Jamwal; Banti

doi:10.59515/rma.2026.v47.i1.22

Authors

Meenakshi Gupta Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, Jammu-180009, India
Vikas Gupta Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, Jammu-180009, India
Brinder Singh Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, Jammu-180009, India
Vivek Bhagat Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, Jammu-180009, India
Shubam Jamwal Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, Jammu-180009, India
Banti Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, Jammu-180009, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59515/rma.2026.v47.i1.22

Keywords:

Cultivars, Fertility levels, FYM, Pearl millet, Rainfed

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Jammu, India, to evaluate the production potential of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) as an alternate crop under changing climatic conditions. The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized block design with three cultivars and five fertility levels, with three replications. Pearl millet cultivar MBC-2 recorded significantly higher growth, yield attributes, yield, net returns (41258.27 Rs ha-1) and B:C ratio (1.52) compared to Pusa Composite-383 and the local variety. Whereas, among the fertility levels, F5-80:50:25 kg ha-1 of N:P2O5:K2O + 25 kg N through Farm Yard Manure (FYM) produced significantly higher growth and yield attributes, though it remained statistically at par with F4 (65:40:20 kg ha-1 of N:P2O5:K2O + 25 kg N through FYM). A strong positive correlation (r=0.87) was observed between dry matter accumulation and heat use efficiency.