PLANTING DATE EFFECT ON NO-TILL PROSO MILLET

Producers in the Central Great Plains are changing their cropping systems to include summer annual crops after winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.-hereafter referred to as proso) is well adapted to this region, especially when planted after winter wheat. This study examined the response of proso to planting date in a no-till system. 'Cope' proso was planted at six weekly intervals, starting on 18 May. Proso yielded highest when planted on 8 June and will yield greater than 95% of its potential if planted between 2 June and 12 June. Water use efficiency (WUE) reflected grain yield trends, with WUE highest when proso was planted in early June. Total crop water use (soil water + growing season precipitation) ranged between 13 and 14 in. for all planting dates. Proso initiated stem elongation and anthesis after approximately 600 and 1100 growing degree days, respectively, regardless of planting date. Based on this study, producers should plant proso during early June to maximize yield potential in no-till systems.