Effects of planting density on growth and yield in wide-row drill seeding of proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.).

The goal of this study was to investigate how the characteristics of growth and yield are affected by various planting densities in wide-row drill seeding cultivation suitable for mechanized harvesting. Two cultivars (‘Hwanggeum’ and ‘Leebackchal’) of proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) were planted at varying planting densities [row spacing (20, 30, and 50 cm) and plant spacing (3, 5, 10, and 15 cm)]. The culm length was highest at the planting density of 50×3 cm and 50×5 cm for ‘Hwanggeum’ and 20×3 cm for ‘Leebackchal’. The culm diameter became thinner as the planting density increased. The number of tillering and panicle length showed the same tendency to increase in quantity or length as planting density decreased and was highest at 50×15 cm when the planting density was lowest. The number of seeds per individual increased as planting density decreased. The thousand grain weight showed no significant differences among treatment plots. The greatest yield of ‘Hwanggeum’ was obtained at a planting density of 50×3 cm (314.9 kg·10 a-1) and that of ‘Leebackchal’ was obtained at 50×3 cm and 50×5 cm (358–356 kg·10 a-1).