Potassium and Manganese Fertilizer in Millet Production: Effect on Grain Yield and Quality and Forage Potential of Residual Stalks.

Millet is an important grain and summer forage crop. As forage, millet is free of potential prussic acid poisoning common in sorghums. Millet seed has less anti-nutrient factors and is a better choice for feed formulation in small ruminant, poultry, hog, and swine operations. Also, residual stalk can be hayed and used as forage to satisfy maintenance energy needs in adult dry animals. The quality of seed and residual stalks for use in these animal production systems could be dependent on macro- and micronutrient fertilizer management strategies during crop production. A fertilizer study carried out at Virginia State University was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with treatments applied in a split arrangement. The objectives of the study were to determine effect of potassium (K) and manganese (Mn) fertilizer on; i) Grain yield and quality; ii) Forage quality of residual stalks. Two varieties of millet; Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum R.L. Br.) and browntop (Panicum ramosum L.) were studied. Four levels of K (0, 40, 80, or 120 kg ha^-1) and three levels of Mn (0, 10 and 25 kg ha^-1) were applied. While fertilizer treatments and interactions were not significant, pearl millet produced 26% more grain than browntop. Both varieties had had similar grain oil contents, however, browntop seed had greater contents of crude proteins and all determined elements except K. Residual stalks of browntop had greater forage crude protein, total digestible nutrient (TDN) and lower acid detergent fiber (ADF). These millets seed and residual stalks have good quality for use in animal feed.