Pearl Millet Production Practices in Brazil: A Review

Abstract

SUMMARYPearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] is grown as a forage, cover and grain crop in Brazil. Historically, forage production has the most important use, but during the last 30 years, the use as a cover crop in no-till soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] production systems has expanded greatly and is currently used on over 5 million ha. Grain production as livestock feed is presently of minor importance but expanding. This review cites 125 references and documents pearl millet research conducted in Brazil which is largely published in Portuguese. The review addresses recommended pearl millet production practices for different uses, including stand establishment, row spacing and plant population, fertiliser and pest management, and the use of pearl millet in rotation and as a cover crop between soybean or maize (Zea mays L.) production to reduce crop losses from nematode infestation. It is concluded that greater research investment in crop improvement, fertiliser and pest management, nematode management, and forage/grain utilisation is needed to fully take advantage of pearl millet to meet feed, food and soil improvement needs in Brazil. In addition, creation of a database on pearl millet production, marketing and utilisation to assist farmers and grain merchandisers, and increased extension programming on pearl millet production is needed.

Nutrient cycling of different plant residues and fertilizer doses in broccoli cultivation

“…The no-tillage system of vegetable production reduces the dependence on fertilizers due to the maintenance, or increase, of the organic matter levels of the soil. This increment occurs due to the biological nitrogen fixation from the Fabaceae plant family and by the cycling of macro and micronutrients contained in the residues from the different cover crops used (Assis et al, 2017;Pacheco et al, 2017). The implementation of the no-tillage system for broccoli production has the potential to reduce the use of mineral and agrochemical fertilizers (Doane et al, 2009).…”

“…The implementation of the no-tillage system for broccoli production has the potential to reduce the use of mineral and agrochemical fertilizers (Doane et al, 2009). Cover crops such as signal grass (SG), sunn hemp (SH) and pearl millet (PM) present great results of biomass production in summer: 6 to 13 t ha -1 , 7 to 12 t ha -1 and 4 to 9 t ha -1 , respectively (Torres et al, 2015;Assis et al, 2017). In winter, these values decrease, reaching 2.0 to 3.0 t ha -1 , 2.0 to 4.0 t ha -1 and 3.5 to 5.3 t ha -1 , respectively (Torres et al, 2008;Crusciol & Soratto, 2009).…”

“…In winter, these values decrease, reaching 2.0 to 3.0 t ha -1 , 2.0 to 4.0 t ha -1 and 3.5 to 5.3 t ha -1 , respectively (Torres et al, 2008;Crusciol & Soratto, 2009). Signal grass, sunn hemp and pearl millet are among the plants that return great amounts of nutrients to the soil (Assis et al, 2017, Pacheco et al, 2017. Pacheco et al (2013) observed that brachiaria and millet presented high dry biomass production, accumulation and cycling of macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) in the Savannah conditions in two consecutive harvests (2008/09 and 2009/10).…”

Optimizing Management Options through Empirical Modeling to Improve Pearl Millet Production for Semi-Arid and Arid Regions of Punjab, Pakistan

“…A dose of 40 kg N ha −1 was found to be economical for most of the millet-growing regions, but higher nitrogen applications are recommended in soil with adequate moisture. The high-yielding varieties and hybrids use N more efficiently than traditional cultivars [14,15]. The mechanism of utilizing higher doses of nitrogen in most cereals needs to be understood [16].…”

Utilization of Molecular Marker Based Genetic Diversity Patterns in Hybrid Parents to Develop Better Forage Quality Multi-Cut Hybrids in Pearl Millet

“…Recently, it has occupied large areas under summer cultivation in north-western India and is proving to be significant source of fodder for livestock [4,5]. Also, Brazil which introduced this crop as cover crop in soybean cropping system, now cultivates 5 m ha of pearl millet for feed and forage purposes [6,7].…”