Effect of Tillage Systems on Proso Millet Production¹

Proso millet ( Panicum miliaceum L.) is well‐adapted for the Central Great Plains and could be planted in a winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.)–millet‐fallow rotation, resulting in two crops in 3 yr. To determine the most suitable tillage system for proso millet production within this rotation, seven tillage management systems were evaluated over a 6‐yr period (1972–1977). The research was conducted on a mesic Pachic Arguistill soil on the Central Great Plains Research Station near Akron, CO. Comparisons included fall vs. spring tillage and replacing a tillage operation with herbicides. Controlling fall weed growth by tillage alone or with atrazine (2‐chloro‐4‐ethylamino‐6‐isopropylamino‐ S ‐triazine) increased grain yield of proso millet and protein content of the grain more than spring tillage for weed control. Increased millet production from fall tillage was attributed to increased soil NO − 3 ‐N levels and increased soil water use by millet. Water use efficiency by millet was also increased with fall tillage. Adding N fertilizer decreased millet grain production.