Publication Date

1997

Description

Pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke) has been recognized in Korea since 1985, as an important new forage crop of high quality and yield. Suwon 1, pearl millet hybrid, was the best of 20 hybrids examined in Suwon, giving 150t/ha (three cuttings) of green fodder. The pearl millet hybrid was higher in green fodder yield than corn and sorghum/sudan grass hybrids. Leaf area index was 28.8 for three cuttings of pearl millet, with 5.8 for one cutting of maize, and 19.5 for three cuttings of sorghum/sudan grass. Crude protein content was 16.3% for pearl millet, 6 and 5% higher than corn and sorghum/sudan grass respectively. The digestibility of the whole plant was 57.6 to 63.4% for pearl millet, 46.3% for corn, and 47.3 to 57.6% for sorghum/sudan grass. Heavier nitrogen fertilizer applications increased green fodder yields, protein content and digestibility, but reduced the fat and ash content of pearl millet. The fodder yields and quality were dependent upon clipping time, interval and frequency.

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Pearl Millet: A New Green Fodder Crop in Korea

Pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke) has been recognized in Korea since 1985, as an important new forage crop of high quality and yield. Suwon 1, pearl millet hybrid, was the best of 20 hybrids examined in Suwon, giving 150t/ha (three cuttings) of green fodder. The pearl millet hybrid was higher in green fodder yield than corn and sorghum/sudan grass hybrids. Leaf area index was 28.8 for three cuttings of pearl millet, with 5.8 for one cutting of maize, and 19.5 for three cuttings of sorghum/sudan grass. Crude protein content was 16.3% for pearl millet, 6 and 5% higher than corn and sorghum/sudan grass respectively. The digestibility of the whole plant was 57.6 to 63.4% for pearl millet, 46.3% for corn, and 47.3 to 57.6% for sorghum/sudan grass. Heavier nitrogen fertilizer applications increased green fodder yields, protein content and digestibility, but reduced the fat and ash content of pearl millet. The fodder yields and quality were dependent upon clipping time, interval and frequency.