Determination of forage yield and quality of some pearl millet [pennisetum glaucum (L.)R. BR.] populations in mardin conditions

Determination of Forage Yield and Quality of Some Pearl Millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] Populations in Mardin Conditions In this study, it was aimed to determine the performances of some pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] genotypes that can be evaluated as a forage source in terms of hay yield and quality under second crop conditions. The research was carried out in farmer's land in Artuklu district of Mardin province in 2023. In the study, ICRISAT origin populations 3329, 4488, 5153, 8220, 9000, 9492, 9527, 10085 and 10467 and Sudan origin White variety were used as plant material. In the research, plant height, number of stems, number of leaves on the main stem, green forage yield, hay yield, CP ratio, CP yield, ADF ratio, NDF ratio and RFV parameters were investigated. As a result of the research, statistically significant differences were found at the level of p<0.01 among the genotypes in terms of plant height, stem number, main stem leaf number, green forage yield, hay yield, CP ratio and CP yield, and p<0.05 in terms of ADF and NDF ratios and RFV. According to genotypes; plant height was 338.1-278.6 cm, stem number was 6.50-11.58 pieces/plant, leaf number on the main stem was 11.15-14.15 pieces, green forage yield was 5497.8-8843.8 kg/da, hay yield was 1478.9-2733.1 kg/da, CP rate was 10.13-13.61%, CP yield was 184.85-312.84 kg/da, ADF rate was 26.73-33.24%, NDF rate was 49.51-59.67% and RFV was 100.1-128.7. In the research, it was determined that population 4488 stood out in terms of green forage yield, hay yield, CP yield and other agricultural parameters effective on yield; populations 5153 and 9492 stood out in terms of forage quality. Pearl millet genotypes have the potential to be successfully grown in Mardin province and similar ecologies in order to meet the quality roughage needs of animal husbandry under second crop conditions. For this purpose, especially the population numbered 4488, which has the highest agricultural productivity in terms of grass and crude protein yield, can be evaluated in the regional conditions. In addition, it should not be forgotten that the populations that stand out in terms of grass yield and quality have the potential to be evaluated as an important material for breeding studies. Keywords: Pearl millet, Pennisetum glaucum, green forage yield, hay yield, crude protein ratio, population