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Sudan Journal of Agricultural Research

Effects of nitrogen fertilizer and seed rate on performance, forage yield and quality of pearl millet Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke

Faheema M. I Abdalla , Mohommed A. M. Khair, Ali I. Ahmed3 and Sara A. Babiker

Abstract:

An experiment was conducted at the University of Sinnar Demonstration Farm at Elssuki, during April 1st to August 8th, 2004 (season 2004) and January 1st to May 8th, 2005 (season 2005) to study the effect of nitrogen fertilizer and seed rate on performance, forage yield and quality of pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum L.) The treatments were factorial combination of five seed rates viz 2.4, 4.8, 7.2, 9.6 and 12 kg/ha and three levels of nitrogen viz 0, 40 and 80 kg N/ha. The treatments were randomly distributed in a randomized complete block design replicated four times. In both seasons, three cuts were taken at more or less equable periods. The considerably high quantities of forage in each of the 2nd and 3rd cuts reflected the excellent regenerative ability of pearl millet as a forage crop. Effects of both seed rates and nitrogen levels on the number of tillers/plant were not significant. Regarding the fresh matter yields both 40 and 80 kg N/ha had invariably outyielded the zero level, whereas the differences among the seed rates (except the 2.4 kg/ha) were negligable. The crude protein decreased, while the crude fibre increased with increasing seed rate. It is concluded that pearl millet is a high yielding forage crop, suitable for multiple cuttings, with high tillering capacity and high forage quality. Sowing pearl millet at a seed rate of 4.8-7.2 kg/ha and adding 40 kg N/ha seemed an optimal option for growing pearl millet as a forage crop.




 

Sudan Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 11  (2008) PP. 61-67