Evaluation of producibility and drought tolerance of three millet cultivars and sorghum var. Speedfeed in Rafsanjan region

In order to evaluation of producibility and drought tolerance of three varieties of forage mille and one variety of sorghum, the experiment was conducted a split plot in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Irrigation frequencies consisted of irrigation after 80 (control), 120 and 160 mm evaporation from class A pan as main plots and sub plots was consisted of sorghum varietiy (Sorghum bicolor var. Speedfeed) and three varieties of millet (Setaria italica var. Bastan, Panicum miliaceum var. Pishahang and Pennisetum americanum var. Nutrifeed). Irrigation after 120 mm evaporation resulted in a mild drought stress. However, the delay in irrigation reduced values of studied growth and physiological characteristics forage yield and reserves in shoot appeared to be important in this situation. Drought stress reduced forage quality by reducing the leaf area and leafy index. Sorghum variety compared to millet varieties had higher drought tolerance due to higher dry matter production as well as the highest value of tolerance indices MP, GMP, STI and HAM. Of the three varieties of millet, Pishahang proved superiority. At control irrigation frequency, highest forage yield (6251 Kg/ha) produced by Speedfeed, and the highest forage yield (9376 Kg/ha) obtained from Pishahang among millet cultivars. Higher forage quality achieved by Nutrifeed millet due to highest of leaf dry weight, leafier index (45%) and crude protein percent (20.7), which can be considered in agronomic decisions.