Influence of Tillage Practices on Growth and Yields of Pearl Millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.] Cultivars under Rainfed Conditions of Western Rajasthan

An experiment comprising of four tillage practices in main and four cultivars of pearl millet in sub plots was laid out in split plot design with four replications and conducted during kharif 2014 at College of Agriculture, Bikaner. The results indicated that practice of conventional tillage + ridging and zero tillage + ridging was at par from each other in respect of growth and yield attributes (plant height, DMA at 45, 60 DAS and at harvest, effective tillers plant-1). Conventional tillage + ridging and zero tillage + ridging significantly increased the grain yield by a magnitude of 11.17 and 10.06 per cent, respectively over zero tillage. The field water use efficiency (FWUE) was influenced significantly by various tillage treatments. The treatment zero tillage + ridging recorded the highest net return ( 25,546 ha-1) and B:C ratio (3.69:1). Significantly higher effective tillers plant-1, grain yield and harvest index were observed in pearl millet hybrids in comparison to composite cultivars and the hybrid cultivar MPMH-17 recorded the highest grain yield (1423 Kg ha-1) and harvest index (30.4%). However, plant height (cm) and straw yield were higher in composites than hybrids. The hybrid cultivars recorded higher FWUE than composites. The hybrid cultivar MPMH-17 also fetched the highest net return ( 25,482 ha-1), however, it was at par with Cv. RHB 177. The maximum B:C ratio (3.44:1) was also observed with Cv. MPMH 17.