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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lincoln, Nebraska » Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #137540
Title: AGRONOMIC EVALUATION OF WAXY PROSO MILLETS IN THE HIGH PLAINS

Author
item HEYDUCK, R - UNIVERSITY OF NE
item BALTENSPERGER, D - UNIVERSITY OF NE
item Graybosch, Robert
item NELSON, L - UNIVERSITY OF NE
item FRICKLE, G - UNIVERSITY OF NE

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/15/2002
Publication Date: 11/1/2002
Citation: Heyduck, R., Baltensperger, D.D., Graybosch, R.A., Nelson, L., Frickle, G. 2002. Agronomic evaluation of waxy proso millets in the high plains. Agronomy Abstracts.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) is a small-seeded, warm season grass capable of producing seed 60 to 90 days after planting. Proso starch is generally composed of approximately 75% amylopectin and 25% amylose, while `waxy¿ starch is characterized by <5% amylose. This three year trial compares the agronomic traits of 3 waxy types with 19 white seeded and 3 red seeded non-waxy types. Plots were 1.83 m wide and 7.6 m long and planted with small-plot drills at 13 location years across the High Plains region. `9217', pending release from University of Nebraska, yielded highest with a three year average of 2464 kg ha-1 compared with the an average of 2352 kg ha-1 for check cultivars `Sunrise¿, `Hunstman¿, and `Sunup¿ and an average of 1310 kg ha-1 for the waxy lines. Three year test weight averaged 736.2 kg m-3 for the trial with check cultivars averaging 746.5 kg m-3 and waxy lines averaging 702.7 kg m-3. Waxy lines had the smallest seeds with an average of 192 seed g-1 compared with 163 seed g-1 for the check cultivars and 168 seed g-1 for the trial overall. In one year data from 2001, grain moisture on September 3 averaged 17.7% for check cultivars and 30% for waxy lines. Waxy lines headed an average of 7 days later than check cultivars. Additional breeding work is needed to introduce the waxy trait into more agronomically acceptable lines for the High Plains. Forty seven lines of such material are now under evaluation in a seven location trial.