Pearl Millet planted in September and killed by an early frost
Figure 1. Pearl Millet planted in September and killed by an early frost

Description

Family

  • Annual grass
  • Pennisteum typhoides

Cover Crop Use

  • after early harvested crop
  • as a nematode suppressent

Growth Habits

Warm Season Grass
Figure 2. Warm Season Grass
Pearl millet will grow quickly under warm conditions
Figure 3. Pearl millet will grow quickly under warm conditions
Mowing millet will help to keep the plant vegetative and prevent the residue/stalks from becoming bulky and hard to decompose.
Figure 4. Mowing millet will help to keep the plant vegetative and prevent the residue/stalks from becoming bulky and hard to decompose.
Pearl millet has a heavy stalk, similar to sorghum.
Figure 5. Pearl millet has a heavy stalk, similar to sorghum.

Germination

  • Warm season grass; 65° to 70° F (18° to 21° C) is needed for rapid germination

Top Growth

  • Solid stems, often densely hairy
  • several tillers per plant, only 1 seed stalk
  • drought resistant

Root System

  • Fibrous

Overwintering

  • Winterkills

Site Suitability

  • Tolerant of most soil types, but well suited to sandy soils
  • Tolerates infertile soils better than most other crops

Control Options

  • Tillage, frost, mowing and burndown herbicides can be used for control

Weed Control

  • There are no herbicides registered for weed control in pearl millet. Use narrow rows and appropriate agronomic practices to establish a vigorous crop canopy as soon as possible.
  • If grass weeds are heavy use a preplant burndown of glyphosate; broadleaf weeds can be controlled with Peakplus, Banvel or Basagran

Benefits and Cautions

Nutrient Management

  • fertilizer requirements are similar to other forage grasses, lower than corn (roughly 70 % of forage corn fertilizer)

Pest Management

  • research shows that a pearl millet cover crop (using CFPM101 developed at the Delhi AAFC Research Station) is an effective way to reduce root lesion nematodes provided it is weed free

Organic Matter

  • if left to grow without cutting, can reach 12 ft in height
  • if spring planted as a cover crop, should be mowed when 2.5 ft in height, mow no closer than 6-8 inches to the ground
  • biomass return is highly dependent upon planting date and first frost

Other Millets

  • there are a variety of other millets available, they are not commonly used as cover crops but may be used in annual forage mixtures

Getting Started

Establishment

  • drill after danger of frost is past
  • soil temperatures should be above 12 C
  • plant ½ inch deep at a rate of 4 kg/ac
  • plant into a firm, well prepared seedbed

Cost & Availability

  • seed can be expensive