EFFECTS OF IRRIGATION, NITROGEN, AND A NEMATICIDE ON PEARL-MILLET

Pearl miller is used mainly as a temporary forage crop in the southern United States. A new pearl miller hybrid has potential as a major gra in crop in the United States. The effects of nematodes, irrigation, a nematicide, and nitrogen rates on a new pearl miller grain hybrid, HGM -100, and nematode population changes were determined in a 2-year stud y. Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita race 1) entered the root s of pearl miller and caused minimal galling, but produced large numbe rs of eggs that hatched into second-stage juveniles. Root-gall indices ranged from 1.00 to 1.07 on a 1-5 scale and were not affected by irri gation or rates of nitrogen. Yield of pearl millet was up to 31% highe r under no supplemental irrigation than under irrigation, 16% higher i n fenamiphos-treated plots than untreated plots, and 56% higher in plo ts treated with 38 kg nitrogen/ha than plots treated with 85 kg nitrog en/ha. In southern Georgia, pearl miller appears to be resistant to ri ng nematode (Crironemella ornata) but favors development and reproduct ion of M. incognita.