Effects of Nitroxin Fertilizer and Deficit Irrigation on forage yield and some Physiological traits of three Forage Millet Cultivars

In order to determine the effects of nitroxin fertilizer under limited irrigation a split-plot factorial experiment arranged in randomized complete block design was conducted at Damghan in cropping year 2012-2013. The treatments included three irrigation levels {control (full irrigation), irrigation cessation at start of flowering and completion of flowering} in main plots, and application of Nitroxin fertilizer, with () and without (-). and the three forage millet cultivars (Bastan, Pishahang, and Isfahan( in sub plots. Results indicated that the highest forage protein contents belonged to the cultivars Isfahan (24.31%) and Pishahang (24.19%) cultivars, the largest ash content (8.22%) to Bastan, and the highest chlorophyll a contents (1.34 mg/g fresh weight) (Party leaf) to the treatment of interactions between three factors. Moreover, the highest chlorophyll b contents (1.10 mg/g fresh weight) was observed in control treatment (full irrigation) of the Bastan cultivar without fertilizer application, and the highest total chlorophyll contents (2,44 mg/g fresh weight) in control treatment of cultivar Bastan without fertilizer application, and also the highest wet forage (88.43 t/h) is obtained in control treatment and bastan cultivar. The millet plant tolerated high levels of irrigation cessation, and Nitroxin was effective in increasing yield. Considering the very rapid growth of millet, and because of the great demand as a forage, we recommend Bastan cultivar plantation in the damghan region.