Pearl Millet

  • Scientific name: Pennisetum glaucum
  • Warm season, erect, annual grass
  • Cover crop for grazing, green chop and silage
  • High tolerance to drought, pathogens
  • Performs in acidic soils and high humidity
  • Not available online. Call at 435.283.1411 to order
  • Not for human consumption

Quantity is per pound. Example: 1 = 1 lb, 2 = 2 lbs, 3 = 3lbs, etc. This is pure seed, not a live plant.


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Map of Pearl Millet Distribution Area
Pearl Millet Distribution Area

Min. to Max. Annual Precipitation

72in.

Average Max. Height

Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum) seed is used primarily as a cover crop for grazing, green chop and silage. It is a warm season, erect, annual grass that can grow over 8 feet tall. It is often compared in looks and structure to a corn field. The seed is produced on a thick cylindrical spike at the very top of the reed. Used for cover crops, summer grazing, hay production, green chop, and wildlife food plots

Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum) seed is used primarily as a cover crop for grazing, green chop and silage. Pearl Millet is a warm season, erect, annual grass that can grow over 8 feet tall. It is often compared in looks and structure to a corn field. The pearl millet seed is produced on a thick cylindrical spike at the very top of the reed. Leaves are long and pointed.  This crop does not produce prussic acid, however; nitrate poisoning can be a concern under certain conditions. There are approximately 60,000 seeds per pound. Using pearl millet for cover crops, summer grazing, hay production, green chop, and wildlife food plots

Planting Instructions
Seeding Rate:Broadcast
24-30 pounds/acre
Drilled
15-20 pounds/acre
Planting Depth: 3/8 - 1 inch
pH Tolerance:5.5 - 7.5
Planting Time: Spring, Summer

Adaptation

Pearl millet seed is adapted throughout the United States and southern Canada but it is grown primarily in the South due to its high tolerance to drought, pathogens, acidic soils and high humidity. For pearl millet seed to perform at its best plant in moderate to well drained soils with a soil pH between 5.5 and 7.5.

Planting

Planting rates vary from 15 to 30 pounds per acre depending on whether you broadcast or drill (see table above). Planting dates are usually from May to July when there are no chances of frost. Soil temperature needs to be a minimum of 65 degrees Fahrenheit for germination. Seeding depth should be 3/8-1 inch with 1/2 inch being the optimal depth.

Managment

Moderate fertility is suggested for optimum forage production. Although pearl millet seed will grow on lower fertility soils. Fertilize using soil test recommendations, or fertilize at similar rates to other warm season annual grass crops.

Grazing

If you plan on using pearl millet seed for grazing you should begin when the plants are between 18 to 30 inches tall. The crop should be grazed down to 8 inches within 10 days. After grazing, the residue needs to be clipped to uniform height to ensure high quality forage production for the next grazing period. Do not graze after a killing frost. Wait until the plants turn completely brown (7 days) to graze again. If the plants are frost damaged, wait until the crop has regrown to be at least 18 inches high before grazing again.

Green Chop

Green chop harvesting should begin when the pearl millet is  about 18 inches tall. Harvesting should be completed before the plants head out.

Silage

Silage should be harvested when the plants are 36-48 inches tall. The pearl millet will be in the boot to early head stage. Moisture is usually high at this stage so the plants should be allowed to partially dry in the field before ensiling.

**This cover crop seed is sold in bulk 50 pound bags.

*** Click on the “Quick Plant Facts” tab above for more information.

PEARL MILLET
(Pennisetum glaucum)

Pearl Millet NRCS Plant Guide

PDF version of NRCS Plant Guide & Fact Sheet

Citation: Sheahan, C.M. 2014. USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Cape May Plant Materials Center, Cape May, NJ. Published 08/2014

Download PDF

Helpful Links

Additional information about this product can be found on the academic websites linked below.

Synonyms

Many plants have more than one common and scientific name. We've listed a few of them below.

  • Pearl Millet
  • Pennisetum glaucum
  • Bulrush Millet

Who is Great Basin Seed?

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Our History

We've been in the seed business since 1974.

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Quick Plant Facts
Common Name:

Pearl Millet

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