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.