4,055 research outputs found
Monitor virulence spectrum of pearl millet downy mildew (DM) and blast pathogen populations through on-farm surveys and disease nurseries
No full textDM and blast severity was assessed in the farmers’ fields in Maharashtra, India to monitor the performance of different hybrids. Pearl millet downy mildew virulence nursery (PMDMVN) consisting of 70 test entries including susceptible check 7042S was evaluated at 11 locations and Pearl millet Blast variability nursery (PMBVN) comprising 65 advanced breeding and germplasm lines was conducted at 10 locations in India
Genetic Resistance to Pearl Millet Downy Mildew II. Resistance in Wild Relatives
No full textGenetic resistance is the most economic and feasible method for control for downy mildew (DM) (Sclerospora graminicola) of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum). To identify genes for DM resistance with diverse origin, we tested 539 accessions of 12 wild Pennisetum species from 17 countries, in the greenhouse and field-disease nurseries. A total of 223 accessions were found DM free in all the tests. P. violaceum was the most susceptible of all the species, both for the frequency of susceptible accessions (93% accessions with >10% DM) and for the level of susceptibility (accessions showing up to 94% DM). Freedom of most of the P. schweinfurthii accessions from DM, coupled with resistance to rust (Puccinia penniseti), is encouraging because of its cross-compatibility with pearl millet. DM resistance genes from these wild species will be useful in the control of this disease, if found different from those of pearl millet. Successful cross-inoculation of pearl millet with sporangia produced on five wild species (P. violaceum, P. mollissimum, P. purpureum, P. padicellatum, and P. polystachyon) shows that these species may be serving as collateral/alternative hosts and also helping the pathogen in creating pathogenic variability. As-these species are present in all pearl millet growing areas, a precise information on their role under farmers’ field conditions is necessary for the development of cultivars with durable DM resistance
Performance, agronomic traits, ensilability and nutritive value of pearl millet cultivar harvested at different growth stages.
No full textPearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.) is an important crop for rainfed production systems and can play a significant role as a feed source for ruminants owing to its high yield and drought tolerance. It is well-established that the maturity stage can influence the chemical composition as well as the nutritional value of crops traditionally used for silage production, although quantitative evidence that this occurs with pearl millet under rainfed conditions is lacking. The current research assessed the agronomic characteristics, ensilability, intake and digestibility of a Brazilian pearl millet cultivar (IPA BULK1-BF) harvested at four different growth stages. Forage was harvested at 35, 50, 65 and 80 days after sowing and ensiled under laboratory and farm conditions. Apparent digestibility of the silages was determined using 24 male lambs. The results showed that dry matter (DM) and panicle and stem proportions increased with the advancement maturity. The silage evaluations showed that DM, total and non-fibrous carbohydrates and lignin concentrations increased, while crude protein, ADF and in vitro DM digestibility decreased with the increase in plant maturity. Additionally, the fermentation characteristics were improved with the increasing maturity. The digestion study showed that intake of DM and N as well as digestibility of DM and fibre fractions decreased, while lignin intake increased. The results obtained for the production of dry and digestible DM, the ratio of plant fractions and fermentation parameters indicate the possibility of harvesting pearl millet forage after 50 days after sowing for silage production in the Brazilian semi-arid region
Forage yield, nutritive value, and ensilability of sweet pearl millet and sweet sorghum in five Canadian ecozones
No full textSweet pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] and sweet sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], previously tested for ethanol production, were evaluated as high sugar crops for animal feeds to possibly replace silage corn (Zea mays L.). We compared the forage yield, nutritive value, and ensilability of one hybrid of sweet pearl millet and two of sweet sorghum to a locally adapted silage corn hybrid in five Canadian ecozones. Forage yields of sweet pearl millet and sorghum were similar to that of silage corn in the Boreal Shield, Mixedwood Plain, and Atlantic Maritime ecozones, greater in the Prairies, and lower in the Pacific Maritime ecozone. Across sites, forage dry matter concentration was less for sweet pearl millet (289 g kg−1) and sweet sorghum (245 g kg−1) than for silage corn (331 g kg−1). Sweet pearl millet had a lower total digestible nutrient (TDN) concentration (452 g kg−1 DM) and aNDF digestibility (NDFd) than sweet sorghum and silage corn along with greater neutral detergent fibre (aNDF) and water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) concentrations than silage corn. Sweet sorghum had greater aNDF and WSC, lower starch, and similar TDN (534 g kg−1 DM) concentrations, but greater NDFd compared with silage corn. Sweet pearl millet and sorghum fermented as well as silage corn, reaching low pH values and acceptable concentrations of lactic and volatile fatty acids. Sweet sorghum is therefore a viable alternative to silage corn in Canada except in the Pacific Maritime ecozone, but early-maturing hybrids with acceptable DM concentration at harvest are required.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author
Identification of superior pearl millet by napier hybrids and napiers in Zimbabwe
No full textDuring 1988 and 1989, over 200 pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] by napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum) hybrids were developed by SADC/ICRISAT in Zimbabwe to provide superior pearl millet by napier hybrids especially for semi-arid rainfed regions. Eighteen such pearl millet by napier hybrids (SDPN), 20 napiers (SDPP), and two checks, Bana grass (pearl millet x napier hybrid), and Green Gold Harare (Panicum sp.) were evaluated at Aisleby (irrigated) and Lucydale (rainfed) locations during 1990/92. There were six cuttings (over 12 months) at Aisleby, and seven cuttings (over 16 months) at Lucydale. Among pearl millet by napier hybrids, SDPN 29 produced the highest total dry matter (DM) yield over cuttings at both locations. SDPN 29 produced 38 t total DM yield ha-1 (38% more than the best check, Bana grass) at Aisleby, and 12.5 t total DM yield ha-1 at Lucydale (39% more than the best check, Bana grass). Based on green fodder yield, DM yield, crude protein %, and in-vitro DM digestibility, two hybrids, SDPN 3 and SDPN 29 were selected and the cuttings were supplied to several hundred farmers in Zimbabwe. Among napiers, SDPP 19 and SDPP 10 were the highest yielding entries. During the dry period (April to October) at Lucydale, both SDPNs and SDPPs plants continued to grow and some entries produced DM yields of over 600 kg ha-1 per cut. This is the period when the forage is most needed. There were no significant differences for total DM yield over cuttings between highest yielding SDPP and highest yielding SDPN at both locations. The variation in napiers for different traits suggests that the napiers can be improved for forage quality and yield
Plant yields and fodder quality related characteristics of millet-stylo intercropping systems in the Sahel
No full textThe integration of forage legumes into the low-input, cereal-based farming system of the Sahel may be the key to sustaining soil, crop, and livestock production. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of intercropping the forage legumes Stylosanthes fruticosa (Retz.) Slston or S. hamata (L.) R. Br. on grain yield, fodder yield, and crude protein (CP) yield and concentration. Four field trials were conducted on a Psammentic Paleustalf (siliceous, isohyperthermic) soil from 1988 to 1990 at Sadore, Niger. Each Stylosanthes species was grown in alternate single and triple row patterns with millet for 1 and 2 yr, with stylo regrowing from stubble during the second year. Control treatments were sole crops of millet and stylo. Intercropping either Stylosanthes species with millet for 1 yr in alternate single rows did not affect millet grain yield, because of low stylo competition. Total dry matter (DM) harvested of intercrop was similar to that of sole millet, while CP concentration of total DM increased moderately from 43 g kg-1 in sole millet crop to 75 g kg-1 in intercroDuring the second year of association, stylo was very competitive, depressing intercropped millet grain by an average of 67 percent in 1989 and 48 percent in 1990 compared with sole millet grain yield. Total DM and CP yield, and CP concentration of the harvested fodder were, respectively, 1.4, 3.0, and 2.3 times greater in intercrop than sole millet. Millet-stylo intercrops, with each species planted at half its sole crop density, appear to have an advantage in fodder yield and CP over sole millet cropping but not in total grain yield
Pearl Millet Forage Water Use Efficiency
No full textPearl millet (Pennisitum glaucum L.) is a warm season C4 grass well adapted to semiarid climates where concerns over scarce and depleting water resources continually prompt the search for water efficient crop management to improve water use efficiency (WUE). A two-year study was conducted in the Southern Great Plains, USA, semi-arid region, to determine optimum levels of irrigation, row spacing, and tillage to maximize WUE and maintain forage production in pearl millet. Pearl millet was planted in a strip-split-plot factorial design at two row widths, 76 and 19 cm, in tilled and no-till soil under three irrigation levels (high, moderate, and limited). The results were consistent between production years. Both WUE and forage yield were impacted by tillage; however, irrigation level had the greatest effect on forage production. Row spacing had no effect on either WUE or forage yield. The pearl millet water use-yield production function was y = 6.68 × x (mm) − 837 kg ha−1; however, a low coefficient of determination (r2 = 0.31) suggests that factors other than water use (WU), such as a low leaf area index (LAI), had greater influence on dry matter (DM) production. Highest WUE (6.13 Mg ha−1 mm−1) was achieved in tilled soil due to greater LAI and DM production than in no-till
Evaluation of pearl millet forage
No full textThis research evaluated millet as forage source for ruminants. Four studies were conducted using two cultivars of forage millet [i.e. brown midrib (BM) and regular (RM)]. The first investigated the effect of seeding rate on yield, chemical composition and in vitro degradability of the two forage millet cultivars. Yield of RM was 56% more than BM due to taller plants and more tillers m-2. A 25% increase in yield as seeding rate increased from 5 to 10 or from 10 to 15 kg ha-1 was observed for two millet cultivars. Brown midrib millet contained 15% more CP, and 4, 13 and 31% less NDF, ADF and ADL than RM cultivar. In vitro DM digestibility was 10% higher in BM due to differences in chemical composition. The second study determined the effect of stage of development at harvest [i.e. vegetative (VS) and heading stage (HS)] on the two millet cultivars yield and cell wall composition in leaves and stems. Yield of BM was lower than that of RM at both stages of development. Concentrations of NDF, ADF and ADL were reduced in BM stems by 8, 16, and 58%, respectively, compared to RM stems. Leaves ADF and ADL concentrations were 6 and 49% less in BM than RM. Increase in fibre fractions with advancing stage of development was most pronounced in RM stems. Brown midrib trait affected cell wall structure of BM leaves and stems by increasing arabinose and xylose proportion as well as concentrations of ester- linked p-coumaric acid and ether-linked ferulic acids. Cell wall content of arabinose, xylose and glucose in leaves and stems, and phenolics in stems was higher at VS than at HS. This effect was more pronounced for stems of RM than BM. In situ DM and NDF disappearances were higher in leaves and stems of BM than RM and were higher in leaves and stems of millet harvested at VS than at HS. Lignin concentration had negative linear impact on in situ DM and NDF degradability. Ensilability of forage millet as affected by cultivar and stage of development at harvest was investigatedCette recherche constitue a évalue millet comme une source de fourrage pour les ruminants. Quatre études ont été effectuées en utilisant deux variétés de millet [par exemple midrib brun (BM) et régulier (RM)]. La première étude constituait une évaluation de l'effet de la vitesse de semer les graines de millet sur le rendement, la composition chimique et la degradabilité in vitro des deux variétés de millet. Le rendement de RM était 56% plus haut en comparaison de BM en raison des plus grandes plantes et plus de feuillage par m-2. Le midrib brun de millet contenait 15% plus de CP, et 4, 13 et 31% moins de NDF, ADF et ADL que la variété RM. La digestibilité in vitro de DM était 10% plus haut chez BM en raison de ces différences. La deuxième étude avait pour objectif de déterminer l'effet du niveau de développement à la moisson [par exemple végétal (VS) et niveau d'en-tête (HS)] sur le rendement des deux variétés de millet et la composition de membrane cellulaire dans les feuilles et les tiges. Le rendement de BM était plus bas en comparaison de RM aux deux niveaux de développement. Les concentrations de NDF, ADF et ADL ont été réduits dans les tiges de BM par 8, 16, et 58%, respectivement, en comparaison des tiges de RM. Les concentrations de ADF et ADL dans les feuilles étaient 6 et 49% moins dans BM que RM. Les contenus des différentes fibres ont augmenté avec le niveau de développement, mais l'augmentation été plus prononcée dans les tiges de RM. Le millet brun a eu un effet sur les membranes cellulaires des feuilles et tiges de BM en augmentant la concentration d'arabinose et xylose ainsi que les concentrations d'ester- acides de p-coumaric et d'ester- acides de ferulic. Les contenus d'arabinose, xylose et le glucose dans les membranes cellulaires chez les feuilles et les tiges, et de phenolics dans les tiges était plus haut à VS qu'à HS. Cet effet été plus prononcé pour les tiges de RM que BM. In situ DM et ND
Potassium Increases Nitrogen and Potassium Utilization Efficiency and Yield in Foxtail Millet
No full textField experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of K application on the nitrogen and potassium utilization efficiency and yield of foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.). The experiment was performed with a completely randomized design with two millet cultivars (Jingu 21 and Zhangza 10) and five K2O rates (0, 60, 120, 180, and 240 kg/hm2) in 2020 and 2021. We found that K promoted K and N absorption; significantly increased dry matter (DM), N, and K accumulation in millet organs; caused dry matter accumulation to peak earlier; and increased the DM accumulation rate. In addition, K accumulation preceded that of DM or N. Relative to the crop cycle, most K (61.07%) accumulated at booting, whereas N accumulated mostly (33.86%) during grain filling. N absorption efficiency increased by 31.87%, and the apparent and agronomic utilization rate of K fertilizer remained high, increasing millet yield, which peaked at a K rate of 180 kg/hm2 for both cultivars, by 29.91% and 31.51% in Jingu 21 and Zhangza 10, respectively, relative to untreated controls. Stepwise regression and path analysis showed that the leaf and spike K accumulation, stem N accumulation, and stem DM were the main factors affecting yield, with DM having the greatest direct effect, followed by leaf K accumulation. The K concentration (0.77–3.04%) in Zhangza 10 was higher than that in Jingu 21 (0.69–2.91%) in untreated plants. Under the same K application rate, N and K accumulation and the harvest index were higher for Zhangza 10 than those for Jingu 21, and the nutrient utilization ability was greater for Zhangza 10. The results demonstrated that rational K fertilizer application can increase K concentration and accumulation in leaves, promote N metabolism and accumulation, increase N and K utilization efficiency, and improve DM accumulation and millet yield
Yield, silage quality, and feeding preference of late‐summer sown pearl millet (Cenchrus americanus (L.) Morrone) in Southern Kyushu
No full textAbstract Background Pearl millet is characterized by its high dry matter (DM) yields with a high moisture content, which makes it difficult to process as silage. Methods Pearl millet was sown in mid‐September for 3 years to examine its growth, DM yields in early December, and decrease in DM percentage after frost exposure. The crop was processed as round‐bale silage to assess silage quality and preference by breeding beef cattle. Results Plants reached a height of 160–200 cm, with heading tiller percentages of 50%–70% in early December. With frost exposure, DM percentage increased in leaves and panicles, followed by stems, reaching over 40%, 1 month after exposure. These increases were positively correlated with cumulative frost exposure. After frost exposure, in vitro DM digestibility and crude protein content declined while acid detergent fiber content increased. Repeated cafeteria feeding experiments showed a reduced preference for either pearl millet silage or Italian ryegrass hay. The silage showed moderate acidity at pH 4.73–5.40, with lactic acid at 0.58%–1.62% DM, acetic acid at 0.03%–0.10% DM, and negligible butyric acid, indicating a satisfactory quality. Conclusions In Southern Kyushu, pearl millet sown in late summer can be processed into low‐moisture round‐bale silage in January, the year following sowing
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