Abstract
The effect of triple superphosphate (TSP) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) application on crust strength, soil physical properties and seedling emergence of pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides (Burm.f.) Stapf & Hubbard) was studied on a sandy loam soil. Crust strength measured by cone and pocket penetrometers in-situ and by modulus of rupture in the laboratory correlated significantly. Final seedling emergence percentage and rate of emergence increased significantly under TSP at 800 kg ha IP and PVA at 0.1 % (wt/wt) treatments. Soil physical properties viz., water stable aggregates > 0.25 mm, dispersion percentage and modulus of rupture of soil governed the final seedling emergence of pearl-millet, in addition to the crust strength. These soil properties can be used for evaluation of crust strength and final seedling emergence of pearl millet.
