Etudes des composantes du rendement et la qualité nutritionnelle du fourrage de quelques lignées de mil Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. des zones aridesen Tunisie

Abstract

Twenty lines of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) used for the production of grain and fodder were evaluated at the Institute of Arid Regions in Médenine, Tunisia. The evaluation work based on nutritive value was carried out in order to be able to group together these lines according to their nutrient richness. The following aspects of the leaves, stems and the entire plant were analysed: dry matter (DM); mineral matter (MM); total nitrogenized matter (TNM); crude fibre (CF); nutri¬ent detergent fiber (NDF). Statistical analysis of obtained data allowed the grouping of the studied lines into four groups. Each group consists of homogeneous lines for the characters studied, and especially for their nutrient richness. Lines 3, 10, 14, 18, 64 and 75 are characterized by plants lower in ADF, NDF, CB, MAT, MM of stems and MM of leaves. However, plants of lines 19, 46, 49, 107, 125 and 167 are considered highest in MATF, MMT and MATT. In addition, the plants of lines 49 and 167 have higher values for the ADF and the MS, but the plant stems of lines 49 and 125 are much richer in CB than the other lines. Lines 49, 125 and 167 will be maintained as elite and plants will be mated in an open pollinated cycle to test their suitability for general combination. The maximum heterosis parents will be identified in order to produce a synthetic variety with a higher yield than local cultivars, and one better adapted to the environment and farming techniques of farmers in arid regions of Tunisia.