Growth and Yield Characteristics of Foxtail Millet, Proso Millet and Sorghum According to Sowing Date in Middle Area in Korea

In order to investigate optimum and marginal sowing date of foxtail millet, proso millet and sorghum in middle area (Anseong, Gyeonggi province) of korea, four levels of sowing date [(May 15(1st), June 6(2th), June 26(3th), July 13(4th)] with mulching and non-mulching were treated in this experiment. We used three crops of foxtail millet, proso millet and sorghum with four varieties of Samdachal, Samdamae, Kyeongkwan1, Hwanggeumjo in foxtail millet, Leebaekchal, Manhongchal, Hwangsilchal, Hwanggeumgijang in proso millet and Nampungchal, Hwanggeumchal, DS202, Moktaksusu in sorghum achieved from RDA. In culm length, sowing date of June 26 was the highest in all varieties of foxtail millet, proso millet and sorghum. Sowing date of May 15 showed the highest ear length in foxtail and proso millet, whereas the highest ear length was obtained from sowing date of June 26 in sorghum. In numbers of leaf, sowing date of May 15 showed the highest in all three crops of foxtail millet, proso millet and sorghum. Days from sowing to heading date were reduced in Samdamae, Kyeongkwan1 and Samdachal as sowing date was late. In Hwanggeumjo it was reduced from the sowing date from May 15 to June 26, but it was same days was taken between June 26 and July 13 sowing date. Days from sowing to heading date of four varieties in proso millet were reduced as sowing date was late. Days from sowing to heading date in sorghum were reduced as sowing date was late, whereas it was increased the 4th sowing date of July 13. There were no significant differences in growth and yield characteristics between mulching and non-mulching in four varieties of foxtail millet, proso millet and sorghum with four varieties. The highest grain numbers per panicle, 1000 grain weight and yield per 10a were obtained from sowing date of June 26 in four varieties of foxtail millet, proso millet and sorghum. In sowing date of July 13, all varieties of foxtail millet, proso millet and sorghum were not able to be ripened because of late sowing except Hwnaggeumjo, Manhongchal and Hwanggeumgijang.