Abstract
Effects of planting dates on the growth and grain yield of two indigenous varieties of pearl millet was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. The experiment was a 2 × 5 factorial scheme fitted into a randomized complete block design with the two varieties of pearl millet (‘Gero Bida’ and ‘Gero Badeggi’) and five planting dates (April, May, June, July and August) replicated three times. The results obtained showed that delays in planting date significantly reduced growth in pearl millet examined. Similar pattern was observed on days to 50 % flowering and grain maturity. Improved growth with early sowing could have allowed increased availability of assimilates that later supported reproductive growth. These assimilates were remobilized under unfavourable climatic condition in the late cropping season to the reproductive structures. ‘Gero Badeggi’ sown in April, had significantly, the highest growth in the measured characters than ‘Gero Bida’ sown in August and other dates. ‘Gero Badeggi’ planted in May had the highest total grain yield (9.33 t ha-1) while ‘Gero Bida’ planted in July had the smallest (4.27 t ha-1). Therefore, ‘Gero Baddegi’ planted in May is a better variety for pearl millet grain production in Ekpoma.
Highlights
Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.) is a drought tolerant cereal typically grown as grain crop in semi-arid and dry areas of the world (Leila, 2008)
Planted crops had the biggest girths and were significantly at par from late sown crops. This is consistent with the findings of Uzoma et al (2010); Omoregie & Nwajei (2015) who report that timeliness in planting is necessary as it has great effect on the growth of millet because it places the crops growth cycle within the distribution of rains which in turn enhance good plant architecture
Sown crops gave heavier grains than late sown crops due to prolonged growth period with ideal growth conditions and better vegetative characters. This result is in agreement with the results reported by Tanzubi et al (2002); Leila (2008) who observed that pearl millet planted in May had higher grain yield due to better vegetative growth, well distributed and favourable weather conditions during grain development
Summary
Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.) is a drought tolerant cereal typically grown as grain crop in semi-arid and dry areas of the world (Leila, 2008). The crop can potentially be planted as a double crop in northern areas of Nigeria. This crop produces high quality grains than any other cereals under extreme conditions like unfertile soil, intense heat and prolong drought (Amanullah et al, 2015). The pearl millet is a cereal crop grown mostly for its grain and fodder. It is a robust, tufted, tillering annual grass, up to 300 cm high (Khan et al, 2003). Pearl millet is locally known as “Gero” and an important grain and fodder crop for savanna areas of Nigeria (Uzoma et al, 2010). The ideal soil pH range is 5.5 – 7.0, but it can grow in soil with pH as low as 4 and as high as 8.3 (Fahmy et al, 2010)
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