The Effect of Variety and Planting Date on the Growth and Yield of Pearl Millet in the Southern Guinea Savanna Zone of Nigeria

Uzoma¹, A.O., Eze¹, P.C., Alabi¹, M., Mgbonu², K., Aboje², J.E. and Osunde¹, A.O

¹ Departments of Soil Science Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria

² Department of Agricultural Education, Federal College of Education, Kontagora

E-mail:uzo_ozo@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The effect of planting date and variety on the growth and yield components of Millet in the Southern Guinea Savanna Zone of Nigeria was evaluated in the research farm of the School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology, Minna during the 2006 cropping season. Minna lies within the Southern Guinea Savanna Zone of Nigeria, latitude 9⁰41¹ N and logititude 6⁰31¹ E Treatment consisted of three planting dates (10th, 17^th and 24^th of June) and three varieties (Maiwa, Ex-bronu and Sosaat-c88). The experiment was a 3×3 factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and data collected were: Plant height, leaf area, Flag leaf length, grain, panicle and husk weights respectively. Results obtained showed that Sosaat-C88 recorded a grain weight of 2,246 kg ha^-1while Ex-bronu gave 2,324 kg ha^-1. The lowest was 2,083 kg ha^-1 recorded by local variety Maiwa. Results also revealed that 17^th June was the suitable planting date irrespective of varieties followed by 24^th June. Sosaat –c88 which had the best growth and yield components irrespective of planting date should therefore be recommended for further studies.

Keywords: Growth and Yield Component; Millet variety; Planting date; Southern Guinea Savanna.