Assessment of establishment techniques and varietal performance on yield and physiological traits of finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.)

Abstract

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) is an important climate-resilient nutri-cereal, known for its superior nutritional quality and adaptability to drought-prone environments. However, its productivity remains comparatively low due to inefficient crop establishment practices and varietal differences. The present study evaluated the effects of 3 crop establishment techniques and 4 finger millet varieties on physiological traits, growth and yield under field conditions. The location of this study carried out in SRMCAS college farm, Baburayanpettai, Chengalpattu district, India. The experimental design is split plot design. The findings revealed that improved establishment methods, particularly the System of Ragi Intensification (SRI) significantly enhanced plant growth, dry matter accumulation, chlorophyll content (SPAD), relative water content, membrane stability index and yield attributes compared to conventional direct sowing. Among the tested varieties, Paiyur 2 exhibited superior physiological performances and recorded the highest grain yield (1668 kg ha-1), whereas PR 202 showed comparatively lower adaptability and productivity under the prevailing agro-climatic conditions. The combined effect of SRI and Paiyur 2 resulted in enhanced grain and straw yield through improved resource- use efficiency, better root development and superior photosynthetic activity. SRI recorded the highest grain yield (1797 kg ha-1), while Paiyur 2 produced 1668 kg ha-1, resulting in a 10.8–57.8 % yield advantage over other varieties. The study highlights the importance of integrating suitable crop establishment techniques with high-performing varieties to improve productivity, profitability and sustainability of finger millet cultivation thereby contributing to climate- resilient agriculture and nutritional security.