Effects of Variety and Nitrogen Levels on the Performance of Pearl Millet: Pennisetum Glaucum (L.) R. BR.

Abstract

The trials were conducted in the 2010 and 2011 rainy seasons at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto Teaching and Research Dry Land Farm, Dundaye, Nigeria to determine the effects of variety and nitrogen levels on the performance of SOSAT c-88 and Zango millet varieties. Data on stand count, tiller count, plant height, and panicle length were collected. Others included panicle weight and grain yield. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed on all collected data. The results of SOSAT c-88 and Zango millet indicated that millet varieties have no significant effect on both stand and tiller production throughout the sampling periods, though nitrogen levels have a significant effect on tiller production at 6 weeks after planting in both the 2010 and 2011 cropping seasons. Panicle length was affected by millet varieties and nitrogen levels in both cropping seasons. Improve millet variety Sosat c-88 gave higher grain yield while 80 kg ha-1 and 120 kg ha-1 produced significant higher millet grain yield hence should be practiced.