The effect of harvesting at different growth stages on yield and quality of three late-maturing pearl millet accessions in northern Nigeria

Abstract

A field trial at Shika, northern Nigeria, investigated forage and silage yields of 3 late-maturing varieties of pearl millet harvested at flowering, milk and dough stages of growth. Forage yields were highest when harvested at the milk stage (P<0.05). Leaf: stem ratios were similar (1:2) at all harvest stages. Crude protein declined from 8.2% at flowering to 5.3% at the dough stage, while crude fibre increased from 32.7% to 35.4% (P<0.05). Nitrogen-free extract (47‐48%) did not change with maturity. Accession Bunkure was taller and its forage yields (56.3t/ha) higher (P<0.05) than Kankara (54.3t/ha) and Mokwa (53.2t/ha), but its tiller density (26 per culm) was lower than for the other 2 accessions (30 per culm) (P<0.05). Harvesting of pearl millet at the milk or dough stage is recommended. Nutrient changes with advancing maturity were small and forage yields increased with age.