Effects of PE Mulching and Planting Densities on Growth and Yield of Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica Beauvois)

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate effects of planting densities (60×5 cm, 60×10 cm, 60×15 cm) and PE mulching (polyethylene film mulching, non-mulching) on growth and yield of foxtail millet in drained paddy field for 2 years. In PE plots, culm length, culm diameter and fresh weight were higher than control plot. Additionally, spike length, seed weight per hill and thousand seed weight were also higher in PE plot. The yield of foxtail millet were increased with 104% and 112% at PE plot. Culm diameter was highest at 60×15 cm plot with 8.90 and 8.06 mm, however, culm length was highest at 60×5 cm plot with 130, 142 cm in 1 st and 2 nd , respectively. Plant height was higher by the increase of planting density. As plant density decreased, that spike length and seed weight per hill were increased. Yield of planting density were highest at 60×10 cm plot 298 kg ․ 10a -1 , 436 kg ․ 10a -1 yearly, respectively that it were in order of 60×10 cm plot > 60×5 cm plot > 60×15 cm plot.