Effect of Plant Density and Growth Stages on Forage Quality of Two Millet Species Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum)

Abstract

A study carried out in summer 2013 in the field crop Dep.- Agri. College- Tikrit Univ., to study the effect of three plant densities (200000 , 400000 and 600000 plant / ha) and three growth stages ( jointing stage , booting stage and 50% flowering stage) on some of quality traits of two millets {Local millet (Proso millet) Panicum miliaceum and Nutrifeed (Pearl millet) Pennisetum glaucum }. The experiment designed by R.C.B.D with three replicates. The plant density 600000 plant / ha gave high rates for crude fiber (18.16%), NDF (32.50%), while the plant density 200000plant/ha gave a high rate for DMI (3.97%).The plant density 400000 plant/ha gave a high significant value of carbohydrates (4.02%). Also the results showed that 50% of flowering stage gave surpass ADF (18.79%),crude fiber (21.08%), carbohydrates (48.37%), NDF (37.88%), lignin (3.28%).While jointing stage precede in crude protein (22.51%), Fat (1.74%), DP (68.72%), DMI (4.90%), DMD (79.07%) and booting stage recorded a high rate for Ash (16.13%). Nutrifeed was superior significantly in crude protein (20.77%), Ash (16.18%), Fat (1.69%), DMI (4.01%), DMD (78.20%).While local variety millet registered significant value excellence in lignin (2.97%), NDF (32.41%), ADF (16.95%), DP (64.04%) and carbohydrates (47.91%) local variety X 50% flowering interaction recorded high crude fiber percentage (21.20%) and NDF percentage (38.18%). Nutrifeed X jointing stage interaction gave a high percentage in DMI (5.51%), while local variety X booting stage gave a high percentage in lignin (3.71%).