Identification of Superior Forage Pearl Millet Genotypes Based on Growth and Fodder Yield Traits

This study evaluated twelve forage pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) genotypes under rainfed conditions during the kharif season of 2025 at the Rainfed Agriculture Farm, Narayan Bagh, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India. The experiment was conducted in a randomised block design with three replications. Data were recorded for days to 50% flowering, plant height, tillers per plant, leaves per plant, leaf length, leaf width, stem thickness, green forage yield per plant, dry matter content, and dry matter yield per plant. Analysis of variance indicated significant differences among the genotypes for the evaluated traits, demonstrating useful variability for selection. Giant Bajra recorded the highest green forage yield per plant (277.60 g), dry matter yield per plant (37.15 g), stem thickness (1.18 cm), and leaf width (2.81 cm). Raj Bajra also produced high green forage yield (206.67 g), while ICMV-1602 recorded a dry matter yield of 36.50 g per plant. GFB-1 produced the highest number of tillers per plant (5.07), and ICMR-15944 combined the earliest flowering (55.00 days) with the highest number of leaves per plant (30.20). JP-138 recorded the greatest plant height (178.47 cm). The findings identify Giant Bajra, Raj Bajra, ICMV-1602, GFB-1, and ICMR-15944 as promising genetic materials for forage pearl millet improvement. Their performance should be validated through multi-location and multi-season evaluation before wider recommendation.