DETERMINATION OF OPTIMUM SOWING WINDOWS OF MILLET (Pennisetum glaucum L.R.Br) VARIETIES IN NIGER REPUBLIC USING CERES-MILLET MODEL
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Date
2020-02-02
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Bayero University Kano
Abstract
Field experiments were conducted at N’Dounga Research Station during the 2016 and 2017 rainy
seasons and on farmers field during 2017 rainy season to determine the optimum sowing
windows and select appropriate pearl millet variety adaptable to the study area. The data on days
to 50 % flowering, physiological maturity, above ground biomass and grain yields were collected
to calibrate and evaluate the CERES-Millet model for simulating sowing windows in Niger
Republic. The treatments for the on station trial consisted of two sowing windows (late June and
mid-July) and four varieties (HKP, ZATIB, CIVT and H80-10 GR). These were arranged in split
plot design with three replications. Sowing window was allocated to the main plot while variety
in the subplot. However, for the on farm field trial, the same varieties were sown at four different
sowing windows (mid-June, Early-July, mid-July and late-July) in twelve farmers’ field being
replicates. Data were collected on plant height, days to 50 % flowering, above ground biomass,
number of panicles harvest index and grain yield. These were subjected to analysis of variance
using JMP software. Significantly different means were separated using Student New-mankeuls
(SNK) Test. On the other hand, the DSSAT model was calibrated to predict the growth and yield
of millet in Niger Republic using 2016 data on station trial and subsequently, it proceeded with
the evaluation with independent data (2017) on station. The model was run for nine sowing
windows using long term historical weather data from 1983 to 2017 to determine the optimum
sowing windows. Results of the study showed that sowing had significant effect on above ground
biomass, plant height and grain yields. Similarly, higher plant height was recorded from plants
that were sown in late June. However, higher grain yield was recorded from the crops that were
sown in mid-June on farmers field. Higher growth, yield components and grain yield were also
recorded from ZATIB compared to all other varieties. Based on the results outcome, it is
suggested that ZATIB be sown in mid-June for a desired yield on farmers’ field. The results for
model calibration showed that simulated growth, development and yield of millet were in a good
agreement with their corresponding observed values. The results for the calibration and
evaluation showed that normalized root mean square error (RMSEn) were less than 10 %. The
values of d-index were also within the acceptable range for all the parameters. Therefore,
CERES-Millet model is robust to satisfactorily simulate millet growth and yield in Niger
Republic. Seasonal analysis revealed that sowing should be done from early June to mid June for
ZATIB and H80-10 GR varieties. However, it should be done from early June to late June for
CIVT and mid June to early July for HKP