IInvestigation and comparison of yield and morphological characteristics between two new pearl millet lines (Pennisetum americanum) and Bastan cultivar in Golestan province

Introduction:
Pearl millets are commonly cross-pollination and constitute different cultivars and hybrids. Pearl millets can be used for dry forage, pasture, silage, seed production and human nutrition (Lee et al., 2004). According to the reports of Jahad Ministry, the global surface area dedicated to the cultivation of pearl millets is estimated to be 10 million hectares and the reports demonstrate that the growing of this cultivar has increased in the recent years (Statistical report of Jahad Agricultural Ministry, 2017). More than 70% of the total cultivated millet in India are pearl millets. American Agricultural Department also recommend different pearl millet cultivars to the farmers who seek the cultivation of forages with high economic and biological performance in dry and semi dry areas of this country (Lee et al., 2004) . Due to its high production potential, optimum nutritional value, and the ability to be preserved as dry hay and silage, millets can be grown in many areas of Iran with different climate conditions for forage production (Mehrani et al., 2017). A maximum of 10,000 ha of millets are cultivated in the country. Works in the late 1980s demonstrated that yields can be raised two to three-fold by using available improved varieties and appropriate agronomic techniques. But, these findings need to be refined, improved and tested for local climatic, soil and crop conditions.
Materials and Methods:
In order to release new pearl millet lines for summer cropping season, this research was conducted in Golestan province during the 2017 growing season. The experiment consisted of two new pearl millet lines (Pennisetum americanum) and Bastan cultivar, which is grown in the fields of Golestan province. The number of planting lines was 60 with a length of 66.66 meters and 50 cm interval between the lines. To measure traits such as plant height, number of tiller, stem diameter and number of node etc, 10 bushes were randomly harvested by using quadrate. Also, the total surface area under cultivation was measured. The results were compared using t-test.
Results and Discussion:
The mean comparison of yield and morphological parameters of two new pearl millet lines (Pennisetum americanum) and Bastan cultivar showed that KPM4, new pearl millet line in Gomishan had a plant height of 138.8 cm, which was 18.94% and 28.45% taller than KPM1 and Bastan cultivar, respectively. KPM4 produced greater stem diameter (7.13 mm), number of leaf (9.6) and number of node as compared to the check cultivar Bastan. The mean comparison of fresh yield of two new pearl millet lines and Bastan cultivar showed significant differences among the varities. Fresh forage production of KPM1 with a yield of 25.04 ton ha-1 was 2.24% greater compared to Bastan cultivar, which gave a yield of 24.46 ton ha-1. Also, the mean comparison of dry yield showed significant differences among the varietries. Dry forage production of KPM1 (6.68 ton ha-1) was 17.51% higher than the check cultivar, which produced a dry forage yield of 5.01 ton ha-1). There was an increase of 15% and 32% in fresh forage (28.63 ton ha-1)and dry forage (7.41 ton ha-1) production of KPM4 compared to Bastan cultivar. Meanwhile, no significant difference was found between the grain yield production of new pearl millet lines and the check cultivar (Bastan). Alos, the new pearl millet lines were superior in terms of morphological parameters as compared to the check cultivar. It indicates that the new millet plants grow better and produce higher yield components.
Conclusion:
Overall, the findings of the study showed that KPM4 line performed better relative to KPM1. The fresh forage and dry forage production of the new lines were greater than those of Bastan cultivar. It could be concluded that, by using new pearl millet lines during summer cropping season, higher yield per surface area might be attained.
Keywords: Forage and grain yield, morphological traits, t-test
References
Lee, D.W., Hanna, G., Buntin, D., Dozier, W., Timper, P., and Wilson, J.P. 2004 . Pearl millet for grain, University of Georgia, USA.
Mehrani, A., Azari, A., Zand, A., Saberi, A.R., Tabatbaie, A., Miri, Kh., Abadooz, M., and Chabook, Kh. 2017. Quantitative and qualitative yield comparison of Pearl millet lines (Pennisetum americanum). Final report of seed and plant improvement institute. (In Persian). 53 pages