Determination of hay yield and quality of tef (eragrostis tef [zucc.] trotter) and proso millet (panicum miliaceum l.) sown at different times

This study was conducted in 2024 to compare the forage yield and quality of Tef (Eragrostis tef [Zucc.] Trotter) and Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) cultivated at different sowing times under the ecological conditions of Konya. The study was conducted in the experimental field of the Department of Field Crops, Faculty of Agriculture, Selçuk University, using a split-plot design in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Both plant species were sown on three different dates: May 1, June 1, and July 1. In the study, various agronomic and forage quality traits such as plant height, stem diameter, green herbage yield, dry matter ratio, dry herbage yield, crude protein ratio, and crude protein yield were evaluated. Based on the data obtained, the aim was to compare the yield and quality characteristics of the commonly grown Proso millet (cv. Rooiberg and Nile) with the newly introduced Tef (cv. Population – 1 and Populatiın – 2 ) species under different sowing dates. This study also aimed to contribute to closing the gap in high-quality roughage production by introducing new species, cultivars, and agricultural practices to forage crop production. As a result of the research, the following ranges were observed in Proso millet: plant height 98.9 – 114.6 cm, stem diameter 5.76 – 6.56 mm, number of nodes 4.4 – 6.4, green herbage yield 1047.0 – 3603.0 kg/da, dry herbage yield 293.6 – 949.6 kg/da, dry matter ratio 25.66% – 29.33%, crude protein ratio 7.92% – 11.29%, and crude protein yield 32.1 – 101.0 kg/da. In Tef, the ranges were: plant height 91.8 – 98.2 cm, stem diameter 1.73 – 1.99 mm, number of nodes 4.1 – 4.6, green herbage yield 4305 – 5801.3 kg/da, dry herbage yield 904.2 – 1344.5 kg/da, dry matter ratio 20.83% – 25.40%, crude protein ratio 8.66% – 9.91%, and crude protein yield 86.8 – 133.4 kg/da. Tef varieties yielded higher than Proso millet in all three sowing times. While delayed sowing caused limited yield loss in Tef, it caused more significant reductions in Proso millet. In particular, when comparing the yields from May 1 and July 1, Proso millet showed up to a 60% yield loss, whereas Tef exhibited only around a 20% decrease. Therefore, early sowing (May 1) is recommended for Proso millet, while later sowing dates (June 1 or July 1) are more suitable for Tef. This approach enables more efficient land use and allows for an optimal vegetation period for subsequent crops.