PRODUCTIVITY OF PEARL MILLET THREE SOWING DENSITIES AND TWO CUTTING HEIGHTS

Abstract

To evaluate the production of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.)) at different sowing densities and managed under different cutting heights, a field trial was carried out in the experimental farm of Universidade Federal de Goiás, from March to July (off season crop) after the soybean harvest. A completely randomized block experimental design in a factorial arrangement (3x2) with three sowing densities (10, 15, and 20 kg.ha-¹) and two cutting heights (50 and 70 cm) was used. Data were analyzed with SAS® 9.2 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC), considering the density effect in the plot and the height in the subplot. Means were compared by Tukey test. The sowing density did not affect (P<0.05) green mass and dry matter (DM) production. In the comparison between cutting height, the height of 70 cm had higher DM production. However, the total production of the period was not affected (P> 0.05) by sowing density and height management. Total production per hectare was similar between densities and cutting heights. As the cutting height did not affect DM production and allowed a longer period of pasture utilization and lower deployment cost, we recommend a sowing density of 10 kg.ha-¹ and millet cut at 50 cm.
Keywords: management; off season crop; water stress.