Fodder Production Potential of Pearl Millet Cultivars under Marginal Environments of Gujarat

Field experiments were carried out at Pearl millet Research Station, Junagadh Agricultural University (JAU), Jamnagar and Grassland Research Station, JAU, Dhari during Kharif 2014, to know the performance of 17 cultivars of fodder pearl millet under marginal environments of Gujarat. Significant differences were observed among the cultivars for days to 50 percent flowering, days to maturity, grain yield and green fodder yield while differences for plant height, plant population and dry fodder yield were non-significant. The locations differences were found significant for all the characters except days to 50 percent flowering and days to maturity. The cultivars x locations differences were reflected non-significant for all the traits except plant height and plant population. Days to 50 percent flowering ranged from 55 days (IP 20611) to 78 days (IP 14753). Days to maturity varied between 84 days (DFMH 30) to 100 days (IP 14294, IP 19415). The cultivar IP 19415 (294 cm) was the tallest cultivar, while, IP 14753 (223 cm) was the shortest cultivar. Grain yield was observed between 5.34 q/ha (IP 20577) to 16.68 q/ha (check PAC 981). Dry fodder yield ranged from 72 q/ha (IP 20611) to 131 q/ha (IP 10437). The cultivar IP 10151 (238 q/ha) produced the highest green fodder yield among all the cultivars followed by IP 20577 (236 q/ha) and IP 10437 (234 q/ha). Thus, these three cultivars viz., IP 10151, IP 20577 and IP 10437 may be considered for general cultivation under marginal environments of Gujarat.