Effluent Irrigation of Pearl Millet

The summer forage crop pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides (Burm) Stapf and E. C. Hubbard), Tiftlate variety, was grown on Lakeland fine sand under irrigation with secondary municipal effluent. Irrigation rates from 2 in./week to 8 in./week (50 mm/week to 200 mm/week) were used. Two cuttings were obtained over a 25-week growing period. Dry matter content decreased with irrigation rate, while plant uptake of nutrients (except Fe) showed an increase. Recovery efficiency of all nutrients measured decreased with application rate. Adequate levels of nutrients for crop fertility were present in the effluent with the exception of K. An irrigation rate of 2 in./week to 4 in./week (50 mm/week to 100mm/week) for pearl millet on sandy soil appears quite suitable.