Simulating the impact of sowing time and plant spacing on growth and productivity of pearl millet under semi-arid environment
2016
Ahmad, M.
Optimum sowing time and plant density in terms of plant spacing are the most important management options to get higher yield of any crop. These aspects are also necessary for adaptation of newly developed pearl millet hybrids through field setting and simulations. To optimize planting time and plant spacing for better growth and yield of pearl millet, a field study was conducted at Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture Faisalabad during summer 2015 to study the impact of sowing time and plant spacing on the growth and productivity of pearl millet under semi-arid environment. The study was comprised of two sowing dates, i.e. June 20-2015 and July-06-2015 with three planting densities (10 cm, 15 cm and 20 cm). Randomized complete block design with split plot arrangements was used by keeping sowing dates in main plots and planting densities in subplots. The millet hybrid 86M86 was sown with the help of single row hand drill and row to row distance was 45 cm. All agronomic practices were kept normal and uniform for all treatments under study. Results showed a higher grain weight per panicle, panicle length, panicle girth, 1000-grains weight (g), grain yield (kg per ha) and biological yield (kg per ha) in sowing time 20-June-2015 with 15 cm plant to plant distance. Calibration and evaluation of CERES-MILLET model was done under DSSAT V.4.6 (Decision Support System for Agro Technology Transfer) by using the data collected from the field. Model simulated leaf area index (LAI) (7.01), total dry matter (TDM) (22655 kg per ha) and grain yield (4460 kg per ha) of pearl millet good with low RMSE and MPD values.
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