Evaluation of fodder pearl millet genotypes for improved nutritional quality in coastal plain zone of Odisha

The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the nutritional quality of fodder pearl millet genotypes in coastal plain zone of Odisha. Twenty eight genotypes were evaluated in RBD with three replications. The genotypes were harvested at 50% flowering stage and plants were dried properly for analysis of crude protein, dry matter, ash, phosphorus. Copper and zinc content was estimated following atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) method. Dry matter % of the genotypes ranged from 20.65 (PFC 50) to 27.64 (FSFBH-502). The genotype Pusa-2101 recorded the highest crude protein % (9.35). The maximum phosphorus content was observed in IIMR-FB-MC-2022-1 (784.4 ppm). Copper content of the fodder pearl millet genotypes ranged from 1.28 ppm to 6.96 ppm with the genotypic mean of 3.48 ppm. The highest zinc content was observed in case of APFB-9-1 (16.93 ppm). The best genotypes identified for coastal plain zone of Odisha were ADV 2386), VAPFB-9-1 and JPM-18-71.