Wang Yu-guo

Effects of Fertilizer and Planting Density on Yield and Yield Components in Foxtail Millet Hybrid Zhangzagu 5

Foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.) is of high nutritious value, which has been mostly used for foods in Africa and Asia or Central and South America. To investigate the effects of fertilizer and density on yield and yield components of Zhangzagu 5, we conducted an experiment based on quadratic general rotary unitized design with three replications. The results demonstrated that the yield was significantly positively correlated with ears per ha and grains per ear, but not with 1000-grain weight. The levels of nitrogen, phosphate and potassium and the row spacing all showed significant effects on grains per ear and yield, and the grains per ear and yield were mainly affected by nitrogen level and row spacing, and less affected by phosphate and potassium levels. Row spacing, plant spacing and nitrogen level had great effects on ears per ha, which was promoted with increasing N and decreasing row spacing and plant spacing. The effect of phosphate level on 1000-grain weight was evident, which had a trend from rising to declining with phosphate increasing. The interactions between nitrogen and potassium levels and plant spacing, and between potassium level and plant spacing showed significant effects on grains per ear and yield, while the interaction between nitrogen level and plant spacing showed great effect on 1000-grain weight. The interaction effects of other factors on the yield and yield components were not so obvious. Multivariate quadratic regression analysis indicated that the regression relationship between the levels of nitrogen, phosphate and potassium, row spacing, plant spacing and the yield of Zhangzagu 5, can be used for production forecasts. Here is the recommended cultivation conditions for Zhangzagu 5: 186 kg ha–1 for nitrogen level, 95 kg ha–1 for P2O5, 60 kg ha–1 for K2O, 23 cm for row spacing, 13 cm for plant spacing, and the expected yield is 6 683 kg ha–1. In conclusion, nitrogen, phosphate and potassium, row spacing, plant spacing and their interactions have certain effects on the ears per ha, grains per ear, 1000-grains weight and yield of Zhangzagu 5. Proper planting density and fertilization can successfully resolve the contradictions of ears per ha with grains per ear and 1000-grain weight, and increase yield.