EFFECTS OF LOCATION, PLANTING METHOD, AND PLANT POPULATION ON THE PERFORMANCE OF ‘DAURO’ MILLET IN NIGERIA

EFFECTS OF LOCATION, PLANTING METHOD, AND PLANT POPULATION ON THE PERFORMANCE OF ‘DAURO’ MILLET IN NIGERIA

Abstract:

In an attempt to extend and improve on the production of ‘Dauro’ millet, an investigation was conducted at two locations (Samaru-Zaria and Samaru-Kataf) using three planting methods (direct seeding, slant transplanting and upright transplanting) and three plant populations (55,000, 65,000 and 75,000 plants/ha) during the rainy seasons of 1981 and 1982. Two cultivars (Ex-Bondon and Ex-Zonkwa) were used. The average grain yield at Samaru-Kataf, a location in the ‘Dauro’ producing area, was 1130 kg/ha whereas at Samaru- Zaria located outside the ‘Dauro’ ecology, the yield was only 35.0% of that obtained at the former location. The number and weight of heads, grain weight per head and 1000- grain weight followed similar pattern as the grain yield while the plant height and mortality were higher at Samaru- Zaria. Direct seeding significantly increased grain yield over both transplanting methods at Samaru-Kataf location. The mean grain yield of 1319 kg/ha obtained from it was 26 and 29% higher than those obtained from the upright and slant transplantings, respectively. Although the grain yields among the planting methods at Samaru-Zaria were not statistically different the yields for direct seeding were lowest with an average of 6 and 14% lower than those from upright and slant transplanting methods, respectively. Direct seeding also resulted in the tallest plants and the highest number of tillers per plant and plant mortality at both locations. The two transplanting methods had essentially the seme effect. Plant populations in this study had no effect on ‘Dauro’ grain yield. They affected only plant mortality which increased with plant density. The two cultivars were not different from each other in the characters assessed with regard to locations, planting methods and plant populations. Poor grain yield performance of ‘Dauro’ at Samaru-Zaria shows that the production of the crop outside its natural ecology might not be profitable. Unless for other reasons, the results of this study do not justify transplanting be it slant or upright. Plant population in this study had no effect on ‘Dauro’ grain yield

EFFECTS OF LOCATION, PLANTING METHOD, AND PLANT POPULATION ON THE PERFORMANCE OF ‘DAURO’ MILLET IN NIGERIA

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