Agronomic fortification in finger millet (Eleusine coracana) for yield and quality improvement in red sandy loam soils

A field experiment was conducted during kharif 2015–18 to study the yield responses of finger millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.] to graded doses of macronutrient fertilizers (100% and 150% RDF) in combination with soil and foliar application of Zn and Fe, which are important for early establishment of finger millet. The experimental results indicated that significantly higher grain and straw yields of finger millet were recorded with 150% RDF+ZnSO4 0.5% foliar spray+FeSO4 0.2% foliar spray compared to 100% RDF. Soil available N, P2O5, K2O and plant macronutrient uptake were also found highest in the same treatment. Whereas the highest available Zn in the soil was recorded in the treatment 150% RDF+ZnSO4 soil application+FeSO4 0.2% foliar spray, and the highest available Fe was evidenced in the treatment 150% RDF+FeSO4 0.2% foliar spray. The grain zinc content was found highest with the treatment 150% RDF+ZnSO4 0.5% foliar spray, iron content in the grain was found highest with the treatment 150% RDF+ZnSO4 0.5 % foliar spray + FeSO4 0.2% foliar spray. The uptake of Zn and Fe were found highest with the treatment 150% RDF+ZnSO4 0.5 % foliar spray+FeSO4 0.2 % foliar spray. Hence, the treatment with 150% RDF+ZnSO4 0.5% foliar spray + FeSO4 0.2% foliar spray was considered to be the best treatment which was at par with 150% RDF+ZnSO4 @50 kg/ha soil application+FeSO4 0.2% foliar spray.