HYBRID PEARL MILLET
Summary
Pearl Millet is a tall, erect small grained grass that produces several stems from a central point. Pearl Millet originated in Africa where it has been grown for over 4000 years. Pearl Millet can grow to a height of six feet or more but optimal height for grazing is about two feet. Optimal hay production and quality can be realized if harvested between two to three feet tall or just prior to “boot” stage. Pearl Millet does not produce Prussic Acid and is, therefore, safer for horse hay or grazing. However, Pearl Millet can contain high Nitrates so be sure to manage this condition and have the forage tested before grazing or baling. Hybrid Pearl Millet refers to Pearl Millet that has been crossbred between different varieties in order to improve grain or forage production. Hybrid Pearl Millet is relatively fast to establish and mature and thus can often provide valuable forage in relatively short order. It is relatively drought hardy and is adapted to a wide variety of soil types including sandy soils. Pearl Millet grain is highly sought after by many bird species especially ground feeding game birds and therefore can be an excellent component in wildlife food plots.
Plant Characteristics
Taxonomy
Zone
- Regional Growing Zone
- 1 - Northwest Coastal, 2 - California Coastal, 3 - Southern Mountain, 4 - Mountain, 5 - Midwest, 6 - Northeast Lakes, 7 - Great Lakes South, 8 - Appalacia, 9 - Southeast, 10 - South Florida, 11 - South Texas, 12 - Southwest
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zones
- 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
- Temperature Zone
- Warm, Cool, Transitional
Plant Characteristics
- Height
- 24" - 60"
- Leaf Color
- Green
- Growing Cycle
- Annual
- Sun Requirement
- Full Sun
Plant Information
- Planting Season
- Summer
- Plant Depth
- 0.5" - 1"
- Minimum Soil Temp for Germination
- 65° F
- Establishment
- Easy
Seed Information
- Seeds Per Pound
- 60,000
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Tracheobionta
- Super Division
- Spermatophyta
- Division
- Magnoliophyta
- Class
- LILIOPSIDA
- Subclass
- COMMELINIDAE
- Order
- CYPERALES
- Family
- POACEAE
- Genus
- PENNEISETUM
- Species
- Pennisetum glaucum