Study of Growth and Yield Traits in Pearl Millet Genotypes under Nitrogen Fertilization (Pennisetum glaucum L.)

• *Mohameed Arif. AL-Mansouri, Muaiad Hadi Al-Ani

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A field experiment was conducted during the summer season of 2025 at the Research Station of the College of Agriculture in Al-Buaitha area to investigate the response of three pearl millet genotypes (Syrian, Egyptian, and Saudi) to different nitrogen fertilization rates. The experiment was arranged as a split-plot design within a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Four nitrogen levels (0, 60, 120, and 180 kg N ha⁻¹) were allocated to the main plots, while the three genotypes were assigned to the subplots.The results demonstrated significant differences among the genotypes for most of the evaluated traits. The Saudi genotype exhibited the best overall performance, achieving the highest mean values for plant height (197.49 cm), flag leaf area (118.02 cm²), leaf chlorophyll content (42.66 SPAD), 1000-grain weight (6.30 g), and total grain yield (1.435 t ha⁻¹). Nitrogen fertilization also significantly influenced the studied traits. The highest values of plant height (170.09 cm) and flag leaf area (86.78 cm²) were obtained with 180 kg N ha⁻¹, whereas the application of 120 kg N ha⁻¹ resulted in the highest leaf chlorophyll content (43.21 SPAD), 1000-grain weight (5.96 g), and total grain yield (1.205 t ha⁻¹) .Furthermore, the genotype × nitrogen fertilization interaction had a significant effect on several traits. The maximum interaction values reached 221.30 cm for plant height, 120.18 cm² for flag leaf area, 44.38 SPAD for leaf chlorophyll content, 6.96 g for 1000-grain weight, and 1.527 t ha⁻¹ for total grain yield. Overall, the results indicate that both genotype and nitrogen supply, as well as their interaction, play an important role in improving the growth characteristics and grain productivity of pearl millet under the conditions of the study.

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