This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different harvest dates and sowing densities on growth and bromatological composition of hydroponic millet forage. The experiment was carried out in the Crop Production of the Universidade Federal of Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. A randomized experimental design was used. Treatments consisted of four sowing densities (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 e 2.0kg seed m-2) and two harvest dates (10 and 20 days after germination) distributed in a 4x2 factorial scheme. There was no interaction between sowing densities and harvest date for all analyzed variables. Plant height, dry biomass, hemi cellulose and lignin were not influenced by sowing density. Increasing sowing densities increased the values of crude protein and fresh biomass, and decreased the values of neutral and acid detergent fiber and cellulose. Harvest at 10 days after germination showed higher values of fresh and dry biomass, cellulose, hemi cellulose and lower values of neutral and acid detergent fiber and lignin. It was not observed statistical difference in crude protein in relation to the two dates of harvest. The best quality feature of hydroponic corn forage was verified with 2.0kg seed m-2 and harvest at 10 days after sowing.
protected environment; soillen cultivation; hydroponics system; Pennisetum americanum
