Physiological attributes, productivity, micronutrient and heavy metal content in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) as influenced by treated sewage and canal irrigation water under different nutrient sources

Field experiment was conducted to assess the effect of treated sewage water on physiological attributes, productivity, micronutrient and heavy metal content in pearl millet ( Pennisetum glaucum L.) under different nutrient sources during 2018 and 2019. The experiment consisted of 16 treatment combinations with two irrigation sources [canal and treated sewage water], two levels of farm yard manure [2.5 and 5 t ha −1 ] that assisted in main plots and four fertility levels [control, 50, 75 and 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF, 156.25 kg N and 62.5 kg P 2 O 5 ha −1 )] that assisted in subplots in split-plot design using three replications. The results revealed that the irrigation sources did not influence significantly growth parameters, protein percent, fat acidity, canopy temperature and grain yield. However, canal and treated sewage water differ significantly in respect of photosynthesis and chlorophyll content. Further, data showed that different fertility levels differed significantly ( P ≤ 0.05). Higher leaf water potential, canopy temperature, photosynthesis and chlorophyll content were recorded with the application of 100% RDF over control, 50 and 75% RDF. The concentration of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Ni and Co) decreased with increasing levels of FYM application from 2.5 to 5 tha −1 in plant, while in soils these were increased with increasing levels of FYM application. The interaction effect showed significant effect on pooled grain yield of pearl millet. Application of 100% RDF along with FYM @ 5.0 t/ha produced higher yield over 75% RDF + FYM @ 5.0 tha −1 and 50% RDF + FYM @ 5.0 tha −1 irrespective of irrigation sources. This clearly showed that higher application of FYM reduces the heavy metal accumulation in pearl millet irrigated with treated sewage water.