Effect of agronomic biofortification with zinc and iron on yield and economic returns of foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.)

Abstract:

A field study was conducted during Rabi 2025-26 at the College of Agriculture, Bheemarayanagudi, UAS, Raichur, to evaluate the effect of agronomic biofortification of zinc and iron on yield and economics of foxtail millet. The experiment was laid out in an Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with nine treatments replicated thrice. Results showed that soil application of ZnSO₄ and FeSO₄ @ 5 kg ha⁻¹ each at sowing + foliar spray of ZnSO₄ and FeSO₄ @ 0.5 % each at 40 DAS along with RDF recorded significantly higher yield parameters viz., ear head length (19.9 cm), ear head weight plant^-1 (8.8 g), number of ear heads meter^-1 (36.0), number of productive tillers meter-¹ (45.9), grain yield (2047 kg ha⁻¹) and straw yield (5106 kg ha⁻¹), it was on par with soil application of ZnSO₄ and FeSO₄ @ 2.5 kg ha⁻¹ each at sowing + foliar spray of ZnSO₄ and FeSO₄ @ 0.25 % each at 40 DAS along with RDF (18 cm, 7.8 g, 34.7, 44.5, 1960 kg ha⁻¹ and 4829 kg ha⁻¹, respectively). Economic analysis revealed that soil application of ZnSO₄ and FeSO₄ @ 5 kg ha⁻¹ each + foliar spray of ZnSO₄ and FeSO₄ @ 0.5 % each at 40 DAS along with RDF resulted significantly higher net returns (₹ 39,622 ha⁻¹) and B:C (2.01) and it was found to be on par with soil application of ZnSO₄ and FeSO₄ @ 2.5 kg ha⁻¹ each + foliar spray of ZnSO₄ and FeSO₄ @ 0.25 % each at 40 DAS along with RDF (₹ 36,539 ha⁻¹ and 1.94, respectively).