Effect of organic manures and bio-fertilizers on the growth and yield of finger millet

A field experiment entitled “Effect of Organic Manures and Bio-fertilizers on Growth and Yield of Finger Millet” was conducted during the Kharif season of 2024 at the Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj (U.P.), India. The objective was to assess the response of different organic manures and bio-fertilizers on growth and yield performance of finger millet. The experimental soil was sandy loam, nearly neutral in reaction (pH 7.8), and low in organic carbon (0.35%). The trial was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with ten treatments replicated thrice, comprising combinations of farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost, poultry manure, Azotobacter, and Azospirillum. Significant variability was observed across treatments. The treatment with vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha + Azotobacter @ 3 kg/ha + Azospirillum @ 5 kg/ha (T6) recorded the maximum plant height (81.48 cm), tillers per plant (8.30), plant dry weight (19.37 g/plant), fingers per plant (7.42), test weight (3.71 g), seed yield (3.35 t/ha), stover yield (4.62 t/ha), and harvest index (45.99%). This treatment also achieved the highest economic returns with a gross return of INR 1,40,855/ha, net return of INR 1,03,955/ha, and a B:C ratio of 2.82. The results suggest that the integration of vermicompost with Azotobacter and Azospirillum is highly effective in enhancing growth, yield, and profitability of finger millet under sandy loam soils of Prayagraj.