Studies on fertilizer use efficiency in Ragi under rainfed conditions

A field experiment was conducted on alfisols during 2013 of Zonal Agricultural and Horticultural Research station, college of Agriculture, Navile, shimoga. To study the fertilizer use efficiency in ragi (Eleusine coracona L.) under rainfed conditions. A total of nine treatments were tried in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatments comprise of RDF + compost 10 t [ha.sup.-1], RDF + 50 % NK + compost 10 t [ha.sup.-1], STCR based NPK + compost 10 t [ha.sup.-1], STL based NPK + compost 10 t ha1,RDF through enriched compost, RDF + 50% NK through enriched compost, STCR based through enriched compost, STL based through enriched compost, with a control. The results revealed that application of STCR based NPK and compost 10 t [ha.sup.-1] for targeted yield 40 q [ha.sup.-1] recorded a highest grain yield (3238.00 kg [ha.sup.-1]) and straw yield (8926.00 kg [ha.sup.-1]). The percent deviation for targated yield of 40 q [ha.sup.-1] (19.05 %).Similarly higher uptake was recorded in STCR based NPK + compost 10 t [ha.sup.-1] both in grain and straw. However, the NUE and AUE was highest in STCR based NPK and compost 10 t [ha.sup.-1] for targeted yield 40 q [ha.sup.-1]. The highest physiological use efficiency was recorded in control plot (no fertilizer). The highest partial factor productivity was recorded in STCR based NPK + compost 10 t [ha.sup.-1]. The STCR approach was better for achieving the higher yield and higher nutrient use efficiency. Key words: Soil test crop response (STCR); Targated yield; Nutrient use efficiency; Agronomic use efficiency.