UPTAKE OF N, P AND K BY IRRIGATED AND UNIRRIGATED PEARL-MILLET (PENNISETUM-TYPHOIDES)

Uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium was measured for irrigated and unirrigated crops of pearl millet grown at Hyderabad, India. Irrigation slightly increased the concentration of nutrients in the crop and this, together with a higher dry weight, resulted in the nutrient content at harvest (day 82) being approximately twice that of the dry crop. Nutrient uptake by the latter ceased at about day 40 whereas the irrigated crop continued to take up nutrients for a further 7–21 days. However, both crops showed the importance of redistribution of nutrients from leaves and stems during the grain filling. The mean rate of nutrient uptake per metre of root per day (inflow) fell throughout growth in contrast with the rate of nutrient uptake per plant, which reached a maximum at about days 26 to 33. These findings are discussed in relation to possible strategies for fertilizer placement. © 1979, Cambridge University Press. All rights reserved.