Agronomic Performance of Millet Plants Grown in Soil Fertilized With Organic Wastes

Abstract

Information on the potential of organic matter for soil fertility is important to an efficiently replenishment of nutrients. In this context, the objective of this work was to evaluate the agronomic performance of millet plants grown in soil fertilized with different rates of organic wastes, through biometric variables. A randomized block experimental design with a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement was used with four replications, consisting of 32 experimental units. The treatments consisted of four organic matter sources (swine manure, sewage sludge, bovine manure, and poultry litter), and two organic matter rates (10 and 20 dm3); 50 dm3 pots filled with an agricultural soil that is predominant in the region were used. The pots were filled with 80% of soil and 20% of organic matter (10 dm3); and with 60% of soil and 40% of organic matter (20 dm3). Plant height (PH), leaf area (LA), stem diameter (SD), and number of expanded leaves (NL) were evaluated at 20, 40, 60, and 80 days after sowing (DAS); panicle length (PNL), and panicle diameter (PD) were measured at 80 DAS. All biometric variables evaluated indicated that the better organic matter rate for soil fertilization for millet crops is 10 dm3. In general, the highest panicle lengths and diameters were found in plants grown in soil with bovine manure.