Abstract
Livestock industry of Pakistan is expanding day by day. To meet its growing demand high fodder yielding and nutritious varieties of fodder crops are needed. Pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum L.) is an excellent choice for this purpose. In order to explore the possibility of the better yield potential varieties of pearl millet performed in a good manner under agro ecological conditions of Faisalabad during the year 2012. A field experiment was conducted at Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Randomized complete block design was used with three replications; the net plot size was 1.8 m × 6 m. The experiment was comprised of nine millet varieties named Cholistani Bajra, Barani Bajra, MB-87, Sargodha Bajra 2011, 18-BY, Super Bajra-1, PARC-MS-2, 86-M-52 and FB-822. All other agronomic practices were kept normal and constant. Data on yield and yield components were recorded by standard procedure. Significant results were recorded among the varieties for forage growth and yield. The variety 86-M-52 produced maximum forage and dry matter yield because of more number of leaves (14), leaf area (3540.1 cm2) followed by Sargodha Bajra-2011. All cultivars have statistically significant differences in respect of quality characteristics. However, non-significant differences were observed among cultivars regarding ash contents. The cultivar Sargodha Bajra-2011 has the highest crude protein (10.347%) and the cultivar FB-822 has the minimum crude protein percentage (6.733%). While PARC-MS-2 has the highest crude fiber percentage (34.667%) but variety MB-87 has the minimum crude fiber (24.333%). Variety 86-M-52 proved better for getting higher forage yield followed by Sargodha Bajra-2011 than all other varieties. Sargodha Bajra-2011 is the best cultivar that performed well in respect of quality parameters under irrigated conditions of Faisalabad.
Highlights
Pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum L.) is a tall, warm season and an annual grass belongs to family Poaceae
The minimum plant populations was observed in Sargodha Bajra 2011 (90 plants∙m−2), FB-822 (87 plants∙m−2), PARC-MS-2 (86 plants∙m−2) and 18-BY (92.33 plants∙m−2) and were statistically at par with each other and reflecting non-significant results
Maximum ash percentage (0.9033%) and (0.9033%) was recorded in Sargodha Bajra-2011 and 18-BY, respectively followed by Cholistani Bajra, MB-87, Super Bajra-1, PARC-MS-2 and 86-M-52 but these cultivars were statistically similar among each other in term of total ash percentage while Barani Bajra produced minimum total ash percentage (0.88%). These results indicated that all varieties of forage pearl millet might have same rooting pattern and efficiency in absorbing nutrients from the soil
Summary
Pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum L.) is a tall, warm season and an annual grass belongs to family Poaceae. It locally known as Bajra is a very important dual-purpose summer crop grown for both fodder and grain. Tall varieties are cultivated for fodder while dwarf varieties are grown for grain purposes. It is a nutritious course grain cereal. Pearl millet is one of the oldest cultivated foods known to humans. It is grown and used for hay, pasture, silage, seed crops, food, building material and fuel. Its green forage (without prussic acid, a poisoning potential commonly found in sorghum and sundal grass) is a valuable feed for livestock [2]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
