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Pearl millet demonstrates potential as a forage and cover crop in Wisconsin vegetable systems

Published Article

Publication date: July 19, 2026

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Discover the potential of pearl millet as a forage and cover crop in Wisconsin vegetable systems. Field research shows rapid growth, high biomass production, efficient nitrogen uptake, and strong water use efficiency on sandy soils, highlighting opportunities to improve crop rotations, soil health, and water quality.

Subject Tags

  • Agriculture

Abstract

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.), a crop that is recognized for heat and drought tolerance and ability to suppress root-lesion nematode (Pratylenchus penetrans), could serve as a suitable forage and cover crop for potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and vegetable production systems in Wisconsin. To address a lack of pearl millet agronomic data when planted in mid-summer on sandy soils, we used a multi-scale measurement approach at a representative commercial vegetable farm in central Wisconsin. Measurements of phenological development and growth, above- and belowground net primary productivity (NPP), leaf physiology, water use efficiency (WUE), radiation use efficiency (RUE), and nitrogen uptake were collected during the crop vegetative stage. Pearl millet exhibited rapid growth, reaching leaf area index values greater than 5 m2 m−2 just 38 days after late July planting, while peak photosynthesis coincided with temperatures of 35°C. Aboveground NPP was 13.1 Mg dry matter (DM) ha−1, with an average root-to-shoot ratio of 0.11 and RUE of 4.82 g DM MJ−1 intercepted photosynthetically active radiation. The nitrogen content of harvested aboveground biomass (1.41%) supported uptake of 184.8 kg N ha−1. Field-scale evapotranspiration and WUE were 247.8 mm and 57.7 kg ha−1 mm−1, respectively. These data suggest pearl millet is able to quickly achieve full canopy cover, produce large amounts of biomass, and uptake large quantities of nitrogen while having high WUE on sandy soils in a temperate climate. Therefore, pearl millet may be a desirable cover and forage crop option in Wisconsin irrigated potato and vegetable rotations that could also support improved water quality.

Citation

Frautschy, P., Nocco, M. A., Kohmann, M. M., & Kucharik, C. J. (2026). Pearl millet demonstrates potential as a forage and cover crop in Wisconsin vegetable systems. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment, 9, e70404. https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.70404

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