A Research on the Forage Yield and Agromorphological Characteristics of Some Pearl Millet ( Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) Cultivars under Second Crop Conditions in the Cukurova Region

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the herbage yield and some geomorphological characteristics of some pearl millet ( Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) cultivars that can be grown under second-crop conditions in the Cukurova Region. The experiment was established according to a randomized block design with 3 replications in the research area of the Field Crops Department of the Agricultural Faculty, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey. Five pearl millet cultivars (Ashana, Heveahri, White, Yellow, and Tifleaf 3) were tested in the study. In the study, significant differences were found among pearl millet cultivars in terms of plant height, green forage yield, hay yield, leaf ratio, stem diameter, and number of tillers. In addition, there were significant and positive correlations between plant height and green herb yield (0.9773**), significant and positive correlations between green forage yield (0.9562*), significant and negative correlations between leaf ratio (0.9417*), significant and positive correlations between green forage yield and hay yield (0.9932**), significant and negative correlations between leaf ratio (-0.9889**), and significant and negative correlations between hay yield and leaf ratio (-0.9916**). In light of the present findings, it was concluded that pearl millet can be an alternative to corn and sorghum in second-crop conditions. White and Heveahri cultivars were superior to other cultivars in terms of hay yield, and new research should be carried out to determine the hay quality and silage yield of the cultivars examined.