Determination of forage yield and quality of some pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.) populations under Şanlıurfa second crop conditions

The aim of this study is to determine the forage yield and quality of some pearl millet population of different expansions in the Şanlıurfa, which is an arid and semi-arid ecological representative. In the research, 15 pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) populations were used as material. The research was carried out in the trial area of the GAP Agricultural Research Institute, Akçakale/Şanlıurfa, between July and November 2023, after the wheat harvest. Planting operations were carried out in three repetitions, one parcel containing four rows, five meters long, 70 cm between rows and 25 cm across rows. The harvesting was carried out during the milk-dough formation period of the grains in the panicle. It has been determined that it varies according to forage yield and yield-related characteristics. The number of days to flowering varies between 55,0-59,7 days, plant height 302,7-323.0 cm, fresh forage yield 847,4-9913,4 kg da-1, and hay yield 2791,2-4200,5 kg da-1. Additionally, important quality parameters include crude protein (HP) ratio of 5.35-7.98%, neutral detergent insoluble fiber (NDF) of 60,00-69,25%, acid detergent insoluble fiber (ADF) 35,08-45,87%, acid detergent lignin (ADL) 3.728-5.919%, calcium (Ca) 0,1800-0,6132%, potassium (K) 2.9719-3.7367%, magnesium (Mg) 0,2067-0,3659%, phosphorus (P) 0,2357-% 0,3600, digestible dry matter (DDM) rate varies between 53,17-61,57%, dry matter intake (DMI) varies between 1.733-2.000% and relative feed value (RFV) varies between 71,49-95,48. In the research, it was determined that 18353 and 14428 populations were superior to the standard species, Ashana, in terms of biomass yield, and 16489, 15372 and 16402 populations were generally superior to the standard species. These centers, which are promising in the future, provide basic genetic material for new lines and distribution through breeding studies. Keywords: Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), grass, forage yield, quality, population