In Florida, Diz et al. evaluated the effects of three defoliation treatments on the height of the panicles produced, days to flowering, seed yield components, seed yield per plant, seed germination, and plant survival in four pearl millet x elephantgrass (Pennisetum glaucum x Pennisetum purpureum) genotypes. Two cuts of forage per year in Florida, with the last cut around the beginning of August, appears to be a viable alternative for reducing the height and biomass of the plants, while maintaining relatively good seed production. Overall in 1991, plants cut twice yielded 28% more seed on average than uncut plants, due to a small increment in all seed yield components, excluding secondary panicles per tiller. In 1992, there was a 44% reduction in seed yield of plants cut twice, mainly due to a reduction in primary panicles per plant. A fertilizer application after the second cut may have been more desirable. Germination of seed from plants cut twice was not reduced in 1991 or 1992. Neither was the persistence of the plant affected. Cutting plants three times reduced seed yield per plant by 77 and 98% in 1991 and 1992, respectively, compared with uncut plants. Defoliating plants in September is not recommended for seed work.
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