~ 128 ~ International Journal of Chemical Studies 2020; 8(6): 128-131 P-ISSN: 2349–8528 E-ISSN: 2321–4902 www.chemijournal.com IJCS 2020; 8(6): 128-131 © 2020 IJCS Received: 07-09-2020 Accepted: 15-10-2020 Maitrik P Joshi M.Sc. Student, Department of Agronomy, NMCA, NAU, Navsari, Gujarat, India RM Pankhaniya Associate Professor, Department, of Agronomy, NMCA, NAU, Navsari, Gujarat, India SK Parmar S.K.Parmar, Assistant Professor, Department, of Agronomy, NMCA, NAU, Navsari, Gujarat, India Corresponding Author: RM Pankhaniya Associate Professor, Department, of Agronomy, NMCA, NAU, Navsari, Gujarat, India Effect of levels and scheduling of nitrogen on economic, quality, nutrient content, uptake and soil status of pearl millet Maitrik P Joshi, RM Pankhaniya and SK Parmar DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/chemi.2020.v8.i6b.10760 Abstract A field experiment entitled “Response of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) to levels and scheduling of nitrogen under south Gujarat condition was conducted on heavy black soil at the College Farm, N. M. College of Agriculture, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari (Gujarat) during the summer season 2016. The experiment comprising twelve treatment combinations were laid out in factorial randomized block design and replicated three times. The treatment consisted combinations of four levels of nitrogen viz. 60 kg N/ha (N1), 80 kg N/ha (N2), 100 kg N/ha (N3) and 120 kg N/ha (N4) and three scheduling of nitrogen viz. 50% at basal + 50 top dressing at 30 DAS (M1), 50% at basal + 50% top dressing at 45 DAS (M2) and 50% at basal + 25% top dressing at 30 DAS + 25% top dressing at 45 DAS (M3). The recommended dose of phosphorus @ 40 kg/ha was applied uniformly to all the treatment as basal in form of single super phosphate. Nitrogen was applied as per treatment in form of urea. The result of the experiment showed that maximum gross return and net return obtained with 120 kg N/ha followed by 100 kg N/ha and 80 kg N/ha. NPK content in grain and straw found non significant with respect to nitrogen level. However uptake of NPK were significantly higher with 120 kg N/ha which was at par with 100 kg N/ha. Nutrient status of soil were not affected significantly with respect to N and P2O5, but K2O status significantly increased with 120 kg N/ha followed by 100 kg N/ha In case of scheduling of nitrogen, maximum gross return and net return secured with 50% at basal + 25% top dressing at 30 DAS + 25% top dressing at 45 DAS (M3) followed by 50% at basal + 50% top dressing at 45 DAS (M2). NPK content in grain and straw found non significant with respect to nitrogen. Significantly higher uptake of NPK reported with 50% at basal + 25% top dressing at 30 DAS + 25% top dressing at 45 DAS (M3) followed by 50% at basal + 50% top dressing at 45 DAS (M2). Nutrient status of soil was not affected significantly with respect to N and P2O5, but K2O status significantly increased with splitting. Thus based on one year field experimentation, it is concluded that higher quality, nutrient uptake, soil status and better economic returns of summer pearl millet can be obtained by fertilizing the crop with 80 kg N/ha and scheduling at 50% at basal + 50% top dressing at 45 DAS along with recommended fertilizer dose of 40 kg P2O5 /ha. Keywords: Pearl millet, nitrogen levels, nitrogen scheduling, nutrient uptake, quality Introduction Pearl millet belongs to family gramineae (poaceae). It is the most drought tolerant crop among cereals and millets and water requirement is low. The nutritive value of pearl millet is fairly high and it is fairly rich in fat content as compared to other cereals. In India, it is annually grown on 7.95 million ha area producing nearly 8.79 million tonnes of grains with productivity of 1,106 kg/ha. (Anon., 2014) [1] . The major production factor to boost up the yield of pearl millet is fertilizer management, which has contributed to the extent of 27 per cent. Nitrogen and phosphorus are major elements required to increase the crop production. Among these elements, nitrogen is one of the decisive as well as expensive inputs which govern the cereal crops production. It has the quickest and the pronounced effect on plant growth. Insufficient nitrogen may reduce yield drastically and deteriorates the quality of produce. Split application of N fertilizers commensurate with crop growth stage is an useful approach for increasing the efficiency of applied N in Pearl millet. it is therefore necessary to judiciously manage the inflow of the nitrogen. Therefore, levels and scheduling of nitrogen are crucial. Considering the above fact and views, the present experiment was planned and conducted.