Effects of irrigation, nitrogen, and a nematicide on pearl millet

Pearl millet is used mainly as a temporary forage crop in the southern United States. A new pearl millet hybrid has potential as a major grain crop in the United States. The effects of nematodes, irrigation, a nematicide, and nitrogen rates on a new pearl millet grain hybrid, HGM-100, and nematode population changes were determined in a 2-year study. Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita race 1) entered the roots of pearl millet and caused minimal galling, but produced large numbers of eggs that hatched into second-stage juveniles. Root-gall indices ranged from 1.00 to 1.07 on a 1-5 scale and were not affected by irrigation or rates of nitrogen. Yield of pearl millet was up to 31% higher under no supplemental irrigation than under irrigation, 16% higher in fenamiphos-treated plots than untreated plots, and 56% higher in plots treated with 38 kg nitrogen/ha than plots treated with 85 kg nitrogen/ha. In southern Georgia, pearl millet appears to be resistant to ring nematode (Criconemella ornata) but favors development and reproduction of M. incognita.