The relationship between rainfall characteristics and Proso millet (&lt;i&gt;Panicum miliaceum&lt;/i&gt; L.) cultivation in low country dry zone, Sri Lanka

E M Wimalasiri,S Walker,M J Ashfold,S P Nissanka,A S Karunaratne

doi:10.4038/tare.v20i1-2.5372

Abstract

Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) is a drought tolerant minor millet found in rainfed low input agricultural systems in Sri Lanka. This paper presents an analysis of characteristics of rainfall, of the onset, retreat and length of the ‘Yala’ growing season (March-September) and the relationship between rainfall and crop husbandry strat-egies in a Proso millet growing area. Daily rainfall data (1983-2015) obtained from Udawalawa, Sewanagala, Pelwatta, Thanamalwila and Kuda Oya meteorological stations were analysed along with information gathered from a survey of farmers. Among these 5 stations significant (p < 0.05) differences were found in retreat date, the length of the season and rainfall amount during the season. It was observed that onset date can be used to predict the season length with high accuracy (r = -0.7335, significant at p < 0.05). The selection of crops and the timing of crop management practices in the Proso millet growing area coincided with the distribution of rainfall. However, the yields reported by farmers (mean 1.18 t ha-1) are far below the expected potential (4 t ha-1). Soil moisture con-servation and water management strategies could be critical to reduce the risk of water-related damage in the susceptible flowering stage.

Highlights

Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.), belonging to family Poaceae, is a crop with low water requirement (Baltensperger, 2002; Changmei and Dorothy, 2014) and has been highlighted as a crop that is useful in a climate where rainfall might be less reliable (Swaminaidu et al, 2015)
Proso millet is the principal crop in Low Country Dry Zone (LCDZ) in Sri Lanka during minor cultivation season (Yala)
MATERIALS AND METHOD Site description Proso millet growing region that belongs to LCDZ region 1a (DL1a - a region in the south of Sri Lanka characterised by 1100-1750 mm/ year rainfall) and LCDZ region 1b (DL1b characterised by 900-1750 mm/year rainfall) was selected for the study (Figure 1A)

Summary

Introduction

Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.), belonging to family Poaceae, is a crop with low water requirement (Baltensperger, 2002; Changmei and Dorothy, 2014) and has been highlighted as a crop that is useful in a climate where rainfall might be less reliable (Swaminaidu et al, 2015). It survives and gives yield under conditions with annual rainfall as little as 300 mm (Changmei and Dorothy, 2014). In the Dry Zone (DZ), the principal or the major cultivation season (Maha - wet season) starts with Second Inter-Monsoon (SIM- October to November) and ends with the cessation of North

Methods

Results

Conclusion