A field trial was carried with the objective to evaluate the effect of irrigation clipping date and nitrogen (N) fertilization rates on seed quality of pearl-millet (Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke). The experiment was arranged in a randomized split-split-plot design with four replications. The clippings were done at 20 cm height after 41 and 51 days after seeding. It was determined: thousand seed weight (PMS), nitrogen rate, germination test and vigour tests: electric conductivity, accelerated aging in 48 and 72 hours, first germination counting and emergency test at field were done. Early forage removal (E1) affected positively the quality of the pearl millet seeds, which showed higher values in the germination tests, accelerated aging in 72 hours and on the first germination counting and lower values in the electric conductivity test. The seed nitrogen content was not affected by nitrogen applications. The higher nitrogen efficiency occurs in presence of irrigation.
agronomic practices; seed storage; vigour tests and fisiology quality
