Effects of Water Stress and Nitrogen Fertilizer on Multi-Cut Forage Pearl Millet Yield, Nitrogen, and Water Use Efficiency

Abstract

Forage pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum var. Nutrifeed) is a new forage crop in Iran. A field experiment was conducted at the University of Tehran to evaluate the response of pearl millet to four nitrogen (N) levels (0, 75, 150, and 225 kg N ha⁻¹) and four irrigation regimes (40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% of available soil water abbreviated to I₄₀, I₆₀, I₈₀ and I₁₀₀, respectively) during 2006–2007. Total dry matter production reached a maximum of 24.4 and 23.5 t ha⁻¹at I₄₀ and I₆₀ at N₂₂₅, respectively. Nitrogen use efficiency decreased by adding more fertilizer and minimum nitrogen use efficiency was recorded at N₂₂₅ over all irrigation regimes. At N₂₂₅, water use efficiency reached the maximum of 3.57 and 4.10 kg m⁻³ in I₈₀ and I₁₀₀, respectively. Pearl millet forage could be produced in the regions where water is scarce and additional N fertilizer could increase total dry matter and water use efficiency.

Keywords:

• Forage pearl millet
• N accumulation
• nitrogen fertilizer
• nitrogen use efficiency
• total dry matter
• water stress
• water use efficiency