Adaptation of pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides) to coastal New South Wales. 1. Preliminary evaluation

Abstract

The adaptation of pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides) as a summer forage crop to coastal New South Wales was assessed at Camden (latitude 34¦S). Spaced plants of 20 strains, including openpollinated and hybrid types, commercial cultivars and advanced breeding lines, were grown in a time of planting-time of harvest experiment. Only data from the five commercial cultivars are presented. The growth pattern and productivity of three of these cultivars were measured in a second experiment at normal plant spacing. In experiment 1, with planting dates from November 23 to February 14, all cultivars showed a reduction in time to early flowering with later planting. Two maturity groups were recognised: mid-season (cultivars Tamworth, Yates Hybrid and Mx 001) and late-season (Ingrid Pearl and Katherine Pearl). The late cultivars did not differ in yielding ability from the mid-season cultivars, but had fewer tillers, higher leaf content and slightly higher protein content in both experiments. In experiment 1, later planting reduced dry matter yield and tiller number. Relative growth rate in the early reproductive phase of later types, but not that of midseason types, was positively related to length of day. In experiment 2, sown January 25 in 0.5 m rows, Katherine Pearl, Ingrid Pearl and Tamworth all yielded approximately 12,000 kg ha-1 dry matter at 12 weeks from sowing. A maximum growth rate of 37.9 g m - 2 day-1, representing 8.1 per cent utilisation of visible radiation, was achieved with Tamworth between six and eight weeks from sowing. From these preliminary experiments it was concluded that pearl millet satisfied basic performance criteria and justified further study as a potential forage crop for the region.