Response of Pearl Millet to Different Rates of Nitrogen and Foliar Micronutrients Under Sandy Soil Conditions

Abstract

Two field experiments were conducted at Ismailia Agricultural Research Station during two successive summer seasons of 2010 and 2011. The response of pearl millet cultivar (Shandaweel-1) grown under sandy soil conditions to different mineral N fertilization rates (60, 90 and 120 kg N fed -1 ) and foliar application of chelated-EDTA micronutrients (Fe + Mn + Zn) at rates of 0.0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 g l -1(400 l fed -1 ) on growth characters, productivity, and some nutrient contents, were appraised. Such response was followed up through three cuts; at 45, 85, and 125 days from complete emergence of the seedlings. The obtained results reveal that plant height, number of tillers per plant and productivity of pearl millet; fresh forage and dry matter yields of the three cuts at the both seasons, were enhanced by increasing the application rate of N fertilization. Foliar application of micronutrients markedly augmented such parameters. The best results were obtained when applying 120 kg N fed -1 accompanied with micronutrient foliar application of either 0.4 or 0. 6 g l -1 . Carbohydrate, protein and crude fiber contents (%) of the dry matter of pearl millet plants were remarkably raised due to increasing rates of both; N fertilization and foliar micronutrients. Moreover, the uptake of N, P, K (kg fed -1 ) and uptake of Fe, Mn and Zn (g fed -1 ) by millet plants were elevated. Focusing on the necessity of growing pearl millet as a prosperous summer forage crop in Egypt was speculated.