Effect of irrigation with wastewater and foliar fertilizer application on some forage characteristics of foxtail millet (SETARIA ITALICA)

Abstract

In order to study effects of treated wastewater, with complete fertilizer sprayed on some forage 
quantitative and qualitative characteristics of foxtail millet (SETARIA ITALICA), A split plot experiment based 
on randomized complete block design (R.C.B design) with three replicates was carried out at the 
Agriculture Institute of Zabol University in south east Iran during 2009 growing season. Treatments 
included three levels of irrigation namely, irrigation with tap water at all stages of grows (control), 
irrigation with wastewater and tap water alternately, irrigation with wastewater for all growing stages, as 
the main plot and sprayed with three levels of complete fertilizer (NATBA-LIB): non-spraying (control), 
Sprayed with 600 g of complete fertilizer in each hectare, sprayed with 1200 g of complete fertilizer in 
each hectare, as were the subplots. According to the results, the irrigation with wastewater and 
complete fertilizer sprayed had a significant effect on yield and forage quality characteristics. Among 
the irrigation treatments, irrigation with wastewater for all growing stages cause increase of grain yield 
and forage quality characteristics such as soluble carbohydrate, crude protein, ash, dry matter 
digestibility and significant decrease in cell wall, cell wall without hemi cellulose and lignin percentage. 
Also the highest grain yield and dry matter digestibility were obtained from 1200 g of fertilizer sprayed 
in comparison with sprayed with 600 g of complete fertilizer and control treatments. Therefore, in order 
to achieve the desired quantitative and qualitative characteristics of forage millet, using the treated 
wastewater and complete fertilizer has recommended.