Enhancing finger millet productivity through sustainable nutrient management practices for transplanted finger millet

Growing awareness of the adverse effects associated with excessive dependence on chemical fertilizers has underscored the need for more sustainable nutrient management practices. Approaches that combine reduced levels of inorganic fertilizers with organic nutrient sources are increasingly emphasized for their role in protecting soil health and minimizing environmental impacts. In this context, enriched organic compost has gained importance as an efficient alternative to conventional organic manures, owing to its lower application requirement, improved nutrient availability, and greater economic efficiency. Hence, a field trial was conducted at the Experimental Farm, Annamalai University, during the cropping period from May to August 2025, to evaluate the effect of integrated nutrient management practices on transplanted finger millet. The Phase II field experiment was laid out in a Randomized block design (RBD) with three replications. From the results of the field experiment, adoption of 75% RDN + 25% N through Enriched poultry manure compost @ 500 kg ha^-1 + Seaweed granules @ 25 kg ha^-1+ MN mixture @ 12.5 kg ha^-1(T₉) triggered maximum plant height (108.53cm), leaf area index (4.16), dry matter production (6958.36 kg ha^-1), number of productive tillers m^-2(129.27), number of fingers earhead^-1 (12.97), length of earhead (12.02cm), grain yield (3936.08 kg ha^-1) and straw yield (8186.31kg ha^-1), during the cropping period of May- August 2025. The lowest values were recorded under the control (T₁) for all attributes. This study illustrates that cultivation of finger millet by adopting 75% RDN + 25% N through Enriched poultry manure compost @ 500 kg ha^-1 + Seaweed granules @ 25 kg ha^-1+ MN mixture @ 12.5 kg ha^-1(T₉) was found to be an economically and agronomically sound practice that would increase productivity and profitability.