Yield, nutrient content, uptake and available nutrient status of finger millet as influenced by nutrient management in Agri-silvi culture system

Finger millet was grown under three year old Melia azedarach in red sandy loam soil with different management options viz., application of FYM @ 10 t ha-1, 100% RDF (40:20:20 NPK kg ha-1) alone, and in conjunction with 75% RD N with 25% N through FYM, Vermicompost, Poultry manure; also with biofertilizers @ 5 kg ha-1Azospirillum and PSB along with finger millet alone as sole cropping with 100% RDF. Maximum yield, NPK content, nutrient uptake, OC and available NPK of finger millet in agri-silvi system was observed with sole crop without trees on par 100% RDF and 75% RD N + 25% N through poultry manure which was significantly superior over 75% RD N + 25% N through vermicompost > 75% RD N + Azospirillum + PSB > 75% RD N + Azospirillum >75% RD N + PSB > 75%N + 25% N through FYM. The highest grain (2681 kg ha-1) and straw yield (5063 kg ha-1) resulted with sole crop on par with 75% RD N + 25% N poultry manure (2405 and 4733 kg ha-1) and 100% RDF (2393 and 4745 kg ha-1). The lowest grain (1583 kg ha-1) and straw yield (3402 kg ha-1) was found with control FYM @ 10 t ha-1i.e., farmers practice. The NPK content in grain at harvest was found significant with integrated use of 75% RD N + 25% N through poultry manure (1.31, 0.264, 0.47%) and 100% RDF (1.28, 0.257, 0.47%) on par with sole crop (1.32, 0.265, 0.43%). In case of OC content slight built up (0.88%) was found with conjoint use of 75% RD N and 25% N through poultry manure closely followed by 100% RDF (0.87%) and on par sole crop (0.92%). Regarding available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were increased significantly in 75% RD N + 25% N through poultry manure (291.8, 39.0, 355.3 kg ha-1) and 100% RDF (283.9, 38.7, 354.8 kg ha-1) on par sole crop (317.0, 37.8, 366.1 kg ha-1) compared to control (213.3, 27.9, 322.6 kg ha-1).