EFFECT OF VARIETY AND SPACING ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF MILLET (Pennisetum glaucum L) IN SOKOTO

Abstract

ABSTRACT The experiment was conducted at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching and Research Dry land farm, Sokoto, During 2017/2018 rainy season to assess the effect of variety and spacing on the growth and yield of millet. The treatments consisted of two varieties of millet Zango millet (local variety) and Sosat (improve variety) and the intra-raw spacing (30, 35,and 40cm). The treatment were factorially combined and laid out in a randomize complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The result showed that the varieties had no significant effect on stand establishment, tiller count, plant height, number of panicle per stand, panicle weight, above ground biomass and grain yield. However, variety significantly (p<0.05) affected days to first heading, days to 50% heading, days to maturity, panicle length and 1000 grain weight. Sosat (improve variety) were found to be superior over Zango millet (local variety) in days to first heading, days to 50% heading, days to maturity and 1000 grain weight. While in panicle length, Zango millet was found to be superior over Sosat (improve variety). Spacing has no significant effect (p>0.05)t on stand establishment count, plant height, days to 50% heading, days to maturity, number of panicle per stand, panicle weight, above ground biomass, grain yield and 1000 grain weight significant effect were observed on tiller count, days to first heading and panicle length .The plant spaced at 75cm x 40cm recorded the higher grain yield than the plant spaced at 75cm x 30cm having lower grain yield. However, no significant effect were observed on variety x spacing interaction except in panicle length and days to first heading. The result of the study indicated that the improve variety (Sosat) and 75cm x 40cm spacing are the most suitable for optimum grain yield at sokoto ecological zone.