Effects of Nitrogen Fertilization and Plant Density on Proso Millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) Growth and Yield under Mediterranean Pedoclimatic Conditions

In recent years, the dry-land cereal proso millet has become an interesting crop for cultivation in the Mediterranean environment due to the consequences of climate change. It can be considered a resilient crop because it is particularly successful in extreme drought and high-temperature conditions. The goals of this research study were to compare different plant densities (D) and nitrogen fertilization rates (N) in millet (Panicum miliaceum), evaluating morphological, productive, and phenological traits. A 2-year field experiment was carried out in Italy, and millet (var. Sunrise) was subjected to four nitrogen fertilization rates (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg N ha(-1)) in interaction with three plant densities (55, 111, and 222 plants m(2)). Significant differences were found in all the investigated plant traits. The highest grain yield data (i.e., 3.211 kg ha(-1 )and 3.263 kg ha(-1)) and total biomass (i.e., 11.464 kg ha(-1 )and 11.760 kg ha(-1)) were obtained with the N rate of 150 kg ha(-1) and density of 222 plants m(2). Regarding protein content, the highest values were observed using N50, N100, and N150 (ranging from 10.03% to 10.14%) and with D55 (10.43%). Phenological parameters were affected by both plant density and nitrogen amount and decreased when higher levels of these two factors were employed.

Automated summary

This research study compares the effects of different plant densities and nitrogen fertilization rates on the growth and yield of dry-land cereal proso millet. The results show that higher plant densities and nitrogen fertilization rates can increase grain yield and biomass, but decrease protein content and affect the phenological traits of the plants.