FORAGE PRODUCTION OF PEARL MILLET AND MAIZE AT THE MEXICAN POTOSINAN HIGHLAND

Abstract

In Mexico, there are large areas where rains are few, erratic, and poorly distributed. Fresh forage yield and dry matter production of five pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) genotypes and two maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes were evaluated under rainfed conditions in the Mexican Potosinan Highland. The study was conducted from July to October 2013 in the municipalities of Charcas and Matehuala, San Luis Potosí. Pearl millet varieties tested were MF13, MDP13 and MG13 and experimental lines IP-6104, HHVBC-tall. In Charcas, the Cafime maize variety was planted, while in Matehuala a local maize landrace was used. Fresh forage and dry matter production (t ha^-1) were evaluated 90 days after planting (dap), and in pearl millet, re-growth at 45 dap. The experimental design was completely randomized with three replications. Data were analyzed with analysis of variance and means comparison with Tukey tests (α = 0.05). Differences (P ≤ 0.0001) were observed in both localities Charcas and Matehuala in production of total forage (first cut and regrowth of pearl millet). In Charcas, production was similar between MF13, MDP13, IP-6104 and MG13 (P > 0.05), and different (P ≤ 0.0001) from Cafime maize and HHVBC-tall with 12.7, 12.3, 10.8, 10.0, 4.8 and 4.1 t ha^-1, respectively. In Matehuala, fresh matter production of MDP13, MF13 and maize were different (P ≤ 0.0001) from IP-6104 and HHVBC-tall with 31.3, 29.9, 24.7, 14.9 and 14.7 t ha^-1, respectively. Morphological composition in plant material had the decreasing proportion stems > leaves > inflorescences > dead material. Pearl millet produced 16.6 % of the total forage in re-growth. Pearl millet is a forage alternative for low precipitation climates, since it produces forage in two cuts.