Efficacy of growth retardants on physiology and yield of pearl millet under rainfed condition

A field experiment was conducted during kharif 2015–17 to study the efficacy of growth retardants on physiology and yield of pearl millet at Durgapura (Jaipur). Growth retardants, viz. cycocel and mepiquat chloride were sprayed @ 250, 500 and 750 ppm at tillering (40 DAS) and flowering (60 DAS) stages. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 4 replications. Results showed that plant height decreased, whereas chlorophyll content and relative water content increased significantly with the foliar application of mepiquat chloride @ 500 ppm over rest of the treatments. A significantly higher specific leaf weight was noted under cycocel @ 750 ppm over control. Foliar application of mepiquat chloride @ 500 ppm produced significantly higher grain yield over control. However, it was statistically at par with cycocel @ 500 ppm and mepiquat chloride @ 750 ppm. On the other hand, significantly higher fodder yield was registered with the foliar spray of cycocel @ 250 ppm over cycocel @ 500 ppm, cycocel @ 750 ppm, mepiquat chloride @ 250 ppm and 750 ppm that was at par with the control and mepiquat chloride @ 500 ppm. Maximum net returns and benefit cost ratio were accrued under mepiquat chloride @ 500 ppm. Thus, foliar application of mepiquat chloride @ 500 ppm at 40 and 60 DAS could be recommended for obtaining higher grain yield and net returns from pearl millet under rainfed condition of Rajasthan.