Influence of fertilizer application on the growth and yield of finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) varieties under rainfed condition

An agronomic investigation was carried out at the experimental farm, Department of Agronomy, College of Agricultural biotechnology, Latur (Maharashtra), during kharif, 2023 to examine the impact of fertilizer levels on growth and yield of finger millet varieties. Three levels of each factor were included in the factorial randomized block design (FRBD). Nine treatment combination, each consisting of two factors with varieties and fertilizer levels were tested. First factor consists of three varieties viz. V₁ (Phule Nachani), V₂ (Phule Kasari) and V₃ (Dapoli-1) and second factor consists of fertilizer levels viz. F₁ (40:20:20 NPK kg ha^-1), F₂ (50:25:25 NPK kg ha^-1) and F₃ (60:30:30 NPK kg ha^-1). The results revealed that application of 60:30:30 NPK kg ha^-1 (F₃) recorded significantly higher growth and yield attributes which was comparable with 50:25:25 NPK kg ha^-1 (F₂) and it was significantly superior over 40:20:20 NPK kg ha^-1 (F₁). Among the finger millet varieties Dapoli-1 (V₃) recorded significantly higher growth and yield attributes which was comparable with Phule Kasari (V₂) and significantly superior over Phule Nachani (V₁).