Productivity, Nutrient Balance and Profitability of Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica L.) Varieties As Influenced By Levels of Nitrogen

A field experiment was conducted during kharif, 2014 at Tirupati with four foxtail millet varieties (SiA 3088, SiA 3085, SiA 3156 and Srilaxmi) in combination with three nitrogen levels (0, 25, 50 kg N ha -1 ). The results of the experiment revealed that among the four foxtail millet varieties, SiA 3085 recorded the higher grain and straw yield. Application of 50 kg N ha -1 markedly improved the growth and yield. While, they were found to be at their lowest with no nitrogen application. The nutrient uptake and economic returns also followed the same trend both in case of varieties and nitrogen levels. The results concluded that the foxtail millet variety SiA 3085 with the application of 50 kg N ha -1 was more productive, profitable and maintains the soil health.