Productivity and profitability of foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.) as influenced by varied agro techniques under Southern agro-climatic Zone of Andhra Pradesh

A field experiment was conducted during kharif, 2016 and 2017 at S.V. Agricultural College farm, Tirupati to study the effect of spacing, nutrient and weed nutrient management practices on productivity and profitability of foxtail millet. Significant influence was noticed on the growth, yield and economics of foxtail millet. Among the spacings, closer spacing of 20 cm x10 cm resulted in taller plants, higher dry matter accumulation, maximum number of panicles m-2, higher grain and straw yield and maximum monetary returns and B: C ratio. Foliar application of ZnSO4@ 0.5 % twice at the time of flowering and 20 days after flowering along with 100% RDF resulted in higher growth stature, yields as well as monetary returns. Further, hand weeding at 20 DAS and 30 DAS in foxtail millet resulted in higher stature of growth and yield attributes, yield and monetary returns. The study concluded that the spacing of 20 cm x 10 cm, 100% RDF + foliar application of ZnSO4 at the time of flowering and 20 days after flowering and hand weeding twice at 20 DAS and 30 DAS resulted in higher productivity and profitability of foxtail millet.