Effect of Enriched Phosphatic Sludge Application on Growth and Nutrient Uptake of Finger Millet Crop under Greenhouse Conditions

A pot culture experiment was conducted to assess the effect of different levels of enriched phosphatic sludge (EPS) application on growth and nutrient uptake of finger millet crop grown under greenhouse conditions. Before application, EPS was analyzed for various parameters. The analytical results revealed that the pH value of EPS was alkaline in reaction (8.03), medium in salt content (0.97 dS m-1) and high in organic carbon (11.30 %) content. With respect to nutrient composition, EPS had high amount of phosphorus (6.88 %) and the total N, K, Ca, Mg and S contents were also appreciable in the enriched phosphatic sludge (1.51, 1.20, 1.50, 1.10 and 1.20 %, respectively), Application of RDF + EPS at 750 kg ha-1 showed significantly higher plant height and number of leaves during all the plant growth stages. Maximum shoot (20.47 g pot-1) and root dry matter (10.10 g pot-1) of finger millet was recorded with application of RDF + EPS at 750 kg ha-1. Higher N (2.28 %), P (0.42 %) and K (2.60 %) content in above ground dry matter of finger millet was recorded with the application of RDF + EPS @ 750 kg ha-1. Higher N (468.61 mg pot-1), P (86.32 mg pot-1) and K (535.40 mg pot-1) uptake in above ground dry matter of finger millet was observed with the application of EPS at 750 kg ha-1 along with RDF as compared to other levels of EPS.