Effect of Weather and Accumulated Weather Parameters on Yield of Finger Millet Grown in Different Planting Geometry, Methods of Establishment and Nutrient Sources

Environment is a basic and fundamental factor determining the growth of plants. Amount and distribution of rainfall is the key variable influencing crop productivity in rainfed farming. Maximum heat units of 1386 growing degree days, rainfall (577 mm), rainy days (33), PET (456 mm), SSH (677 hrs.), day length (1474 hrs.), photo thermal units (16921) and helio thermal units (7372) were recorded during 2015 compared to growing season 2016 with growing degree days (GDD) (1266), rainfall (102 mm), rainy days (9), PET (382 mm), SSH (701 hrs.), day length (1474 hrs.), photo thermal units (15136) and helio thermal units (8163). Increased cumulative SSH and helio thermal units during 2016 was mainly due to clear weather condition and higher maximum and minimum temperature at crop growing period. Higher grain yield, straw yield, heat, photo thermal and helio thermal use efficiency (3638 and 2443 kg ha -1, 2.62, 0.22 and 0.49 during 2015, 1.93, 0.16 and 0.30 during 2016, respectively) was recorded in transplanting with recommended spacing along with application of RDF (50:40:37.5 NPK, ha-1) + FYM 7.5 t ha-1 compared to other treatment combinations.