Determination of forage yield and quality of some pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) populations in gap conditions

Due to the climatic changes that have occurred in recent years, the development of plant species and varieties that are tolerant to drought and high temperature has become important. Pearl millet is one of the most important species that is tolerant to high temperature, drought and used for different purposes (grain, forage and energy). The research was carried out to determine the forage yield and yield-related traits of different populations of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.) in GAP conditions. The study was carried out in the GAP Agricultural Research Institute experimet area (Akçakale/Şanlıurfa) in 2021 under second crop conditions (July-November). Each population planted in 4 meters long row with 70 cm row spacing and 25 cm intra-row spacing with 2 rep. All populations were harvested during the milk-dough period of the grains in the spike. Yield and yield-related traits were examined in 5 plants taken at harvest, at each replicate and population. Although it varies according to the populations in the study, an average of the number of flowering days of the population varied between 68.0 and 84.0 days, plant height between 248.5 and 306.16 cm, the number of leaves on the main stem between 9.83 and 16.0 pieces/stem, the total number of stems between 3.5 and 7.16 pieces/plant, the dry matter ratio between 17.66 and 45.17%. forage yield between 798.16 and 2569.83 g/plant and hay yield between 272.12 and 1054.18 g/plant. In addition, forage quality characteristics such as: neutral detergent insoluble fiber (NDF) are 52.04-65.65%, acid detergent insoluble fiber (ADF) are 37.84-45.75%, crude protein (HP) rates are 8.49-12.93%, digestible dry matter (SKM) ratios 52.64-59.42%, dry matter Intake (DMI) 1.83-2.30%, relative feed values (NYD) 70.71-104.9, net energy (NE) lactation 1.23-1.36 mcal kg-1 DM. It was determined that calcium (Ca) varied between 0.06-0.21%, potassium (K) varied between 2.47-4.18%, magnesium (Mg) varied between 0.06-0.25% and phosphorus (P) values varied between 0.33-0.42%. It was concluded that 277, 1566, 2761, 2789, 3329, and 3432; 3525, 1625, 2083, 2167, 2322 and 2704 were superior to the standard variety White in term of biomass yield and forage quality, In addition, it was concluded that these populations, which stand out in terms of forage yield and quality, can be evaluated in future breeding studies.