Integrated nutrient management for enhancing productivity, nutrient uptake, soil fertility and economics of pearl millet under semi-arid Punjab conditions

Abstract

Pearl millet is an important climate-resilient cereal crop; however, its productivity remains below potential due to inefficient nitrogen management and widespread zinc deficiency, particularly in the light-textured soils of semi-arid Punjab. Therefore, there is a need to develop an integrated nitrogen and zinc management strategy to enhance nutrient-use efficiency, crop productivity, soil fertility, and economic returns. Based on this, a field experiment was conducted during kharif 2024 and 2025 at Guru Kashi University, Punjab, India, to evaluate the effect of nitrogen and zinc levels on growth, yield, nutrient uptake, soil fertility, and economics of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.). The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design (RBD) with ten treatments comprising different nitrogen levels (80, 100 and 120% recommended dose) applied alone and in combination with zinc at 8 and 10 kg/ha. Integrated application of the recommended nitrogen dose with 100% RDN + 10 kg Zn/ha significantly enhanced dry matter accumulation, effective tillers, grain and stover yield, nutrient uptake, and economic returns over the control. Soil pH, EC, and organic carbon remained unaffected, while available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc showed slight improvement. Higher nitrogen application beyond the recommended dose did not provide additional yield benefits, emphasizing the importance of balanced fertilization. The study indicates that 100% RDN + 10 kg Zn/ha is an effective, sustainable, and economically viable nutrient management strategy for pearl millet under semi-arid Punjab conditions.