Avaliação dos dados agronômicos e biométricos de diferentes genótipos de milheto (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. BR.)

Abstract

Millet is a tropical grass, belonging to the same genus as elephant grass. Among its characteristics, low water and fertility requirements, short production cycle and high adaptive and productive potential stand out. In view of these peculiarities of millet, the objective was to evaluate the productive potential combined with biometric characters of millet. Four genotypes were used: IPA-Bulk 1, BRS 1501, ADR 500 and ADRF 6010. These were tested and evaluated in the rainy season, in Rio Grande do Norte, in the municipality of Macaíba, in the eastern Potiguar mesoregion. For the trials, a completely randomized experimental design was used, with four genotypes and four replications. The variables analyzed were: green mass production, dry matter, plant height, stem diameter, panicle length, panicle diameter, number of leaves, panicle weight. Data collection took place at the age of physiological maturation of the plants (pasty grains). The superior genotype was identified in terms of MV and MS productivity, although the conditions were similar for all genotypes, there was superiority in this variable. There was also a significant difference between the genotypes evaluated for plant height, panicle length and panicle diameter. The millet showed an excellent productive potential, approaching the production of other crops such as sorghum, in a short period of time.