Integrated approach of tillage, mulch and nitrogen management enhanced the productivity and profitability of Pearl millet in Semi-Arid regions of India

Intensive tillage and excessive nitrogen fertilization degrade soil health, reduce nutrient use efficiency and contribute to environmental issues such as erosion, nitrate leaching, eutrophication, and greenhouse gas emissions. To address this, a field study was conducted during the kharif seasons of 2023 and 2024 to assess the impact of tillage, mulch and nitrogen management. The study was conducted with four tillage practices namely conventional tillage (CT) + without mulch, conventional tillage (CT) + with mulch (Mustard stover 3 t/ha), minimum tillage (MT) + without mulch and minimum tillage (MT) + with mulch (Mustard stover 3 t/ha) in main plots and five nitrogen management strategies (control, 100% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through chemical fertilizers, 75% RDN through chemical fertilizers and 25% RDN through FYM, 50% RDN through chemical fertilizers and 50% RDN through FYM and 100% RDN through FYM in sub plots. Conventional tillage with mustard stover mulch (3 t/ha) significantly improved growth and productivity depicted through maximum values of earhead length (28.59 cm), earhead diameter (27.75 mm), grain yield (2,533 kg/ha) and stover yield (5826 kg/ha). Among nitrogen management options, application of 75% RDN through chemical and 25% through FYM proved to be most effective N management option with maximum values of earhead length (29.56 cm), diameter (28.09 mm), grain yield (2,722 kg/ha) and stover yield (6,251 kg/ha). Notably, minimum tillage with mulch, coupled with 75% RDN through chemical and 25% through FYM, provided comparable yields and economic returns with ecological and climate-smart benefits. These findings highlight that adoption of either conventional tillage or minimum tillage with mulch with application of 75% RDN through chemical and 25% through FYM can improve productivity, profitability of pearl millet growers in semi-arid regions.