Ear Head Girth Research Articles

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) growth and productivity under different sowing methods, mulching and foliar feeding of nutrients

The present experiment was conducted during rainy (kharif) seasons of 2020 and 2021 at College of Agriculture, Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner, Rajasthan to determine the effect of sowing technique, mulching, and NPK foliar fertilization on growth, yield, and yield attributes of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] in arid circumstances. Experiment consisted of 3 sowing methods, viz. direct seed sowing (45 cm × 15 cm); 2-week-old seedling (60 cm × 22.5 cm); and 4-week-old seedling (60 cm × 22.5 cm) transplanting; and 3 mulches, viz. no mulch; dust mulch; and straw mulch assigned to main-plot and 2 levels of NPK foliar fertilization [control and NPK @1% foliar spray at 35 and 50 DAS (days after sowing)] assigned to sub-plot. Results showed that transplanting 4-week-old seedlings led to significantly higher plant height (170.1 cm), dry-matter accumulation (133.6 g), total and effective tillers (3.41 and 3.14), ear head length (24 cm), ear head girth (2.28 cm), weight of ear head (31.5 g), grains/ear (1964), weight of grains/ear (18.9 g), comparable to 2-week seedling transplanting. The grain yield (2396 kg/ha) and straw yield (6640 kg/ha) were significantly superior with 4-week-old seedlings over 2-week seedling by 8.2, 5.4% on pooled basis. Straw mulch exhibited superior most for growth and yield parameters, followed by dust mulch. Additionally, NPK @1% foliar spray at 35 and 50 DAS resulted in significantly higher plant height (170.5 cm), dry-matter accumulation (131.6 g), ear head length (23.7 cm), ear head girth (2.27 cm), weight of ear head (31.1 g), grains/ear (1921), weight of grains/ear (18.5 g), compared to the control. The grain yield (2303 kg/ha) and straw yield (6548 kg/ha) were significantly superior with NPK @1% by 9.5% and 11% over control. In conclusion, the combination of transplanting 4-week-old seedlings, straw mulch and NPK @1% foliar spray offering a potential solution for enhancing agricultural productivity in the region.

Genetic studies in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.)

The present investigation on “Studies on heterosis for yield and its components in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.)” was conducted during Kharif-2020, at Department of Agriculture Botany, Vasantrao Naik Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani, National Agricultural Research Project, Aurangabad and College of Agriculture, Golegaon. The experimental material included in the present study comprised of five females (lines) and twelve restorers (testers) and sixty crosses. The experimental material was evaluated for twelve characters viz; days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, earhead length (cm), earhead girth(cm), number of nodes per plant, plant height(cm), total number of tillers per plant, number of effective tillers per plant, Fe content (ppm), Zn content (ppm), grain yield per plant (g) and grain yield per hectare (kg). The hybrids 02888A x 15006R, 02333A x 15006R, 00444A x 15351R, 99111A x 15020R and 99111A x 15713R exhibited high mean values for grain yield per plant and highly significant specific combining ability effects and wider adaptation across the environments. These hybrids could be utilized to exploit heterosis for grain yield. The hybrids 00444A x 15351R, 99111A x 15020R, 00111A x 15713R and 02888A x 15392R were found early for days to maturity. The hybrids 02888A x 15006R, 00444A x 15351R and 02333A x 15351R were found to contain high Fe content, whereas 99111A x 15020R, 02333A x 15351R and 02333A x 15020R had high Zn content.

Gene action studies in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.)

The present investigation on “Studies on heterosis for yield and its components in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.)” was conducted during Kharif-2020, at Department of Agriculture Botany, Vasantrao Naik Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani, National Agricultural Research Project, Aurangabad and College of Agriculture, Golegaon. The experimental material included in the present study comprised of five females (lines) and twelve restorers (testers) and sixty crosses. The experimental material was evaluated for twelve characters viz., days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, earhead length (cm), earhead girth (cm), number of nodes per plant, plant height (cm), total number of tillers per plant, number of effective tillers per plant, Fe content (ppm), Zn content (ppm), grain yield per plant (g) and grain yield per hectare (kg). The range of heterobeltiosis was from -33.13 % to 78.20 %. In case of heterobeltiosis, twenty-two crosses showed positive significant heterobeltiosis for grain yield per plant. The cross 02888 X 15006R displayed highly significant standard heterosis over AHB 1200 (43.45 %), AHB 1666 (72.14 %) and Dhanshakti (68.53 %). The standard heterosis for grain yield per plant ranged from -36.31 % to 72.14 %. The other crosses having highly significant and positive standard heterosis were 99111A X 15713R (41.07 %, 69.29 % and 65.73 % over standard check AHB 1200, AHB 1666 and Dhanshakti), 99111A X 15020R (39.29 %, 67.14 % and 63.64 % over standard check AHB 1200, AHB 1666 and Dhanshakti), 02333A X 15183R(36.31 %, 63.57 % and 60.14 % over standard check AHB 1200, AHB 1666 and Dhanshakti) and 02333A X 15351R (37.50%, 65.00 % and 61.54 % over standard check AHB 1200, AHB 1666 and Dhanshakti).

Effect of Foliar Application of Nano-urea on Yield Attributes and Yield of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.)

To evaluate the effect of different doses of Nano-urea on yield attributes and yield of pearl millet a field experiment was conducted at Eastern Block Farm of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during the Summer of 2022. This field experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with ten treatments and three replications. In this experiment different doses of Nano-urea were applied along with the Recommended Dose of Nitrogen (RDN) as per the Crop Production Guide, 2020 of TNAU, Coimbatore. The study revealed that yield of pearl millet was significantly differed with treatments imposed. Among these treatments, application of 50% RDN as basal + 0.5% Nano-urea foliar spray @ panicle initiation and booting stage recorded a significantly higher number of productive tillers plant-1 (3.79), earhead length (26.82 cm), earhead girth (7.9 cm), number of grains earhead-1 (2,462), test weight (15.64 g), grain yield (3,314 kg ha-1) and stover yield (5,136 kg ha-1). Which was at par with treatment 50% RDN as basal + 25% RDN @ panicle initiation + 25% RDN @ booting stage (T10).

Influence of saline and sodic irrigation water on Bajra- I : Effect on yield and yield attributes

A pot experiment was conducted at Net House,Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Soil Science,Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh to assess four levels each of salinity (2, 4, 6 and 8 dS m-1) and sodicity (5.0, 10.0, 15.0 and 20.0 SAR) of irrigation water on Bajra by adopting factorial CRD with three replications.The results indicated that application of different levels of saline and sodic irrigation water produced significant effect on growth, yield attributes, yield and quality of bajra crop. The maximum plant height, number of effective and total tillersper plant, germination percentage, earhead girth, grain, fodder and biological yield and harvest index were observed with EC 2 dS m-1 and SAR 5.0 and the lowest with EC8 dS m-1and SAR 20.0 of irrigation water. The quality parameters like seed index and protein content were found maximum with saline irrigation water level of EC 2 dS m-1 and SAR 5.0 and the lowest with EC 8 dS m-1 and SAR 20.0 of irrigation water. The interaction effect between salinity and sodicity levels of irrigation water onfodder yield, harvest index were found significantly the highest with C1× S1(EC-2.0 dSm-1×SAR-5.0) and plant height were found significantly the highest with C2× S1(EC-4.0 dSm-1× SAR-5.0) at 60, 90 DAS and at harvest.

Study of genetic architecture for yield related traits in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.

The investigation on study of genetic architecture for yield related traits in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] was carried out with an aim to study the combining ability and gene action for yield and yield contributing characters. The combination JMSA 20102 × 42182 R recorded highest magnitude of sca effect followed by JMSA 20071 × 42182 R, ICMA 08444 × GP-5 R, ICMA 03666 × GP-5 R and JMSA 20102 × 30133 R for grain yield per plant. Similarly, the combinations JMSA 20071 × 30133 R (ear head girth), ICMA 08444 × GP-5 R (number of effective tillers per plant), ICMA 05888 × GP-5 R (ear length), ICMA 03666 × 41530 R (test weight), JMSA 20071 × 42182 R (days to flowering, days to maturity), JMSA 20071 × 41530 R (plant height), JMSA 20102 × 42182 R (grain yield per plant, harvest index, protein content and zinc content) and JMSA 20102 × 41530 R (iron content) exhibited highly significant and maximum sca effects for the respective characters. The hybrid JMSA 20102 × 42182 R and ICMA 03666 × GP-5 R showed high per se performance and significant positive specific combining ability effect for grain yield per plant and some other important characters. Thus, these hybrids could commercially be exploited through heterosis breeding programme after testing in multi-location trials.

Combining ability and gene action analysis for yield and yield attributing traits in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.

A diallel mating design excluding reciprocal was practised among 8 diverse parents and their 28 crosses to access the gene action and combining ability in pearl millet during kharif 2019. The statistical results of analysis of variance showed highly significant differences due to genotypes for all the traits under study indicating the parents and their hybrids under study have sufficiently high amount of genetic variability. Moreover, division of mean sum of square due to genotypes showed that the differences among eight parental genotypes were significant for all the yield related attributes. Among the 8 parents, 16317, 15708 and 15851 were considered as good general combiner for character viz. grain yield. Apart from grain yield per plant, the parent 16317 was also good combiner for days to flowering, days to maturity, ear head length and ear head girth, harvest index, test weight and protein content. The cross 17548 × 15388 was the finest specific combiner for grain yield per plant followed by 15851 × 15725 and 15725 × 16110. An inspection of per se performance as well as sca effects of crosses revealed that the 17548 × 15388 and 15851 × 15725 found best crosses for grain yield per plant and its component characters. So, these crosses are advised to further study for commercial exploitation. The proportion of σ2gca / σ2sca was below unity for all the traits under study, which suggested considerable action of non-additive genetic variance in the governance of these characters.

Effect of Different Nutrient Management Practices on Growth, Yield Attributes and Yield of Transplanted Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.)

The Field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of fertility management on growth, yield attributes and yield of pearlmillet in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with ten treatments and four replications during summer, 2019 at Anand, Gujarat. The experiment comprises of different nutrient management practices including 100% and 75% RDF with 15 t and 10 t FYM along with Bio NP consortia. A significant higher growth and yield parameters enhancement with the application of 100% RDF + 15 t FYM ha-1 + Bio NP Consortia was recorded in plant height, number of tillers, length of ear head, protein content and biological yield. The treatment T5 produced maximum (91.5 q ha-1) biological yield and statistically it was on par with T9 and T5. However, the lowest biomass production (73.0 q ha-1) was reported in treatment T1. Results of different nutrient management practices on days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, ear head girth and test weight were found non-significant. Protein content of pearlmillet was increased from 7.5% to 9.06% under different nutrient management practices.

Correlation Analysis for Grain Yield and its Components in Pearl Millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.

The study was conducted to determine the correlation coefficients amongthe grain yield and yield contributing characters in 14 parental lines (4 linesand 10 testers) and their 40 hybrids of pearl millet. Positive and significantcorrelations were observed for 1000 seed weight followed by fodder yieldper plant, harvest index, earhead girth, number of effective tillers per plant,earhead length and plant height while, negative association with days to 50%flowering at both genotypic and phenotypic level with grain yield per plant.Based on correlations analysis, it is concluded that the selection for thesecharacters would help improve the yield potential of pearl millet.

Effect of plant growth regulators and nutrient levels on yield attributes and yield of pearl millet

A field experiment was carried out to study effect of plant growth regulators and nutrient levels on yield attributes and yield of pearl millet during rabi 2016 at TNAU, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. Ten treatments with nutrient levels and plant growth regulators were imposed with three replications using RBD. The application of 125 % RDF + foliar application of NAA @ 40 ppm at 20 and 40 DAS (T7) had significant influence on yield attributes of pearl millet viz., productive tillers plant-1, earhead length and earhead girth. Application of 125 % RDF + foliar application of NAA @ 40 ppm at 20 and 40 DAS (T7) significantly influenced the grain yield and it was at par with the 100 % RDF + foliar application of NAA @ 40 ppm at 20 and 40 DAS (T8). Application of 125 % RDF + foliar application of NAA @ 40 ppm at 20 and 40 DAS (T7) recorded 94.9 and 19.7 per cent increase in yield over control (T10) and 100 % RDF (T2), respectively and also 100 % RDF + foliar application of NAA @ 40 ppm at 20 and 40 DAS (T8) recorded 92.9 and 18.5 per cent increase over control (T10) and 100 % RDF (T2), respectively. Stover yield increased with the application of 125 % RDF + foliar application of NAA @ 40 ppm at 20 and 40 DAS (T7) but at par with the 100 % RDF + foliar application of NAA @ 40 ppm at 20 and 40 DAS (T8). Application of 125 % RDF + foliar application of NAA @ 40 ppm at 20 and 40 DAS (T7) recorded 79.4 and 22.2 per cent over the control (T10) and 100 % RDF (T2), respectively.

Effect of different level of fertilizers and foliar nutrition on yield attributes and yield of Pearl millet under rainfed condition

A field experiment was laid out in randomised block design with three replications during rabi season of 2019 at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Killikulam (Tamil Nadu) to study the effect of different level of fertilizers and foliar nutrition on yield attributes and yield of pearl millet under rainfed condition. The investigation was comprised of 13 treatments with different levels and foliar application of fertilizers. The study revealed that yield attributes and yield of pearl millet were significantly differed with treatments imposed. Among the various treatments, application of 125% RDF + 1% Urea + 1% KCl + 0.5% ZnSO4 + 0.5% FeSO4 had significantly recorded higher number of productive tillers plant-1 (2.68), earhead length (27.3 cm), earhead girth (8.2 cm), number of grains earhead-1 (2136), test weight (15.46 g), grain yield (2692 kg ha-1) and straw yield (4134 kg ha-1).

Study of genetic variability in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] hybrids for grain yield and quality parameters

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) is an important millet crop of semi-arid regions in India and Africa. To study the genetic variability present among the newly effected fifty four hybrids an experiment was conducted in randomized block design with three replication. Yield parameters viz., days to fifty per cent flowering, plant height, number of productive tillers, ear head length, ear head girth, test weight, single head grain weight, single plant yield and quality traits such as crude protein, crude fibre, beta carotene, iron and zinc were studied. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was greater than genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all the characters studied which shows the little influence of environment. High phenotypic (PCV) and genotypic variability (GCV) was obtained for plant height, single plant yield, single head grain weight, crude fibre, beta carotene content, iron and zinc. Highest heritability (h2) conjunction with genetic advance (GA) was observed for all the characters studied and moderate for number of productive tillers per plant and earhead girth Therefore, the presence of high variability among the genotypes can be utilized for nutritional enrichment in future millet breeding programs.

Heterosis for yield and morpho-nutritional traits in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (l.) R. Br.

A line x tester analysis was carried out with four male sterile lines and twelve testers. These sixteen parents and forty eight crosses were used to estimate the heterosis for ten morpho-nutritional traits viz, plant height, number of effective tillers per plant, ear head length, ear head girth, number of grains per cm2, 1000-grain weight, fodder yield per plant, grain Fe content, grain Zn content and grain yield per plant. The study revealed that the hybrids DHLB-18A x K-13/1005, DHLB-17A x K-13/1005 and DHLB-18A x K-13/1017 were superior hybrids for exploitation of grain yield and other morpho-nutritional characters

Direction of association among β-carotene, grain yield and its component traits in RIL population of pearl millet

Pearl millet grain is nutritionally rich and contains higher protein content than many other cereals. Besides protein, pearl millet grains also contain sufficient amount of β-carotene. β-carotene is a precursor for vitamin A biosynthesis. Hence genetic biofortification of β carotene in pearl millet, will have a profound effect on human nutrition in Africa and India. Towards this objective, an experiment was conducted with two hundred RILs (F 6 ) which were developed from the cross PT 6029 (0.059 µg/g) × PT 6129 (2.417 µg/g) for β-carotene to ascertain the information of magnitude and direction of association among β-carotene, grain yield and its component traits in pearl millet. The study indicated that, number of productive tillers per plant, earhead length, earhead girth, single earhead weight, single earhead grain weight, 1000 grain weight, chlorophyll content and β-carotene recorded highly significant and positive genotypic correlation with grain yield per plant during summer , 2013 and kharif, 2013. Correlation coefficients are helpful in determining the component of a complex trait like yield, they do not provide an exact picture of the relative importance of direct and indirect influence of each of the component characters towards yield. Path coefficient analysis furnishing the cause and effect of different yield components would provide better index for selection rather than correlation coefficients. In the present investigation, Number of productive tillers per plant, single earhead weight, single earhead grain weight, 1000 grain weight, chlorophyll content and β-carotene content recorded positive direct effect on grain yield per plant in both seasons viz., summer , 2013 and kharif, 2013. This showed simultaneous improvement of this trait through single selection programme.

Effect of integrated nitrogen management on productivity, quality of pearl millet and soil fertility of clay soils under south Gujarat conditions

A field experiment was carried out during summer 2015 to study the integrated nitrogen management in summer pearl millet under south Gujarat conditions. The results revealed that pearl millet GHB-558 performed better by combined application of 50% RDN from chemical fertilizers+25% nitrogen from vermicompost+25% nitrogen from neemcake recorded significantly higher value for plant height, dry matter accumulation per plant, total tillers per plant, earhead length, earhead girth, effective tillers, test weight, grain yield per earhead as well as grain and straw yield over rest of the treatments. Application of 50% RDN from chemical fertilizers+25% nitrogen from vermicompost+25% nitrogen from neemcake was found the most superior and effective treatments in terms of total uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, protein content in grain, grain yield, net returns and B: C ratio. Significantly higher total uptake of nitrogen (99.62 kg/ha), phosphorus (16.37 kg/ha) and potassium (75.23 kg/ha), protein yield in grain (291.03 kg/ha), grain yield (2057 kg/ha), straw yield (5347 kg/ha), net returns (Rs. 18773/ha) and B: C ratio (0.71) were observed. These applications proved most superior treatments for improvement in post-experiment soil fertility by increased soil organic carbon, N, P and K content.

Trait association among beta carotene content and yield attributes in recombinant inbred lines of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] is the staple diet for a vast majority of poor farmers in arid and semi-arid regions of India. An experiment was conducted at Millet Breeding Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore to determine the interrelationship between yield and yield component traits in 250 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) of pearl millet during summer 2015. A perusal of the results of this study showed positive significant and strong genotypic and phenotypic correlations between grain yield per plant and plant height, number of productive tillers per plant, earhead length, earhead girth, single earhead weight, single earhead grain weight, 1000- grain weight and beta carotene content. Path coefficient analysis indicated that number of productive tillers per plant and single earhead grain weight had high direct effect on grain yield per plant. High indirect effect on grain yield per plant was caused by single earhead weight via single earhead grain weight and single earhead weight, single earhead grain weight and 1000- grain weight influences grain yield per plant through moderate positive indirect effect of number via productive tillers per plant. Based on the present results, it could be concluded that number of productive tillers per plant, earhead girth, single earhead weight and single earhead grain weight could be identified as the most important traits that are associated with grain yield in pearl millet. Hence these traits can be used as selection criteria for yield improvement in pearl millet.

Estimates of genetic parameters and quantification of β carotene in Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) segregating population

An attempt was made to study the genetic variability and inter-relationship analysis in F 3 and F 4 generations for ten quantitative characters. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was higher than the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all the characters studied in both F 3 and F 4 generation, indicating environmental influence on expression of all characters. High heritability combined with high genetic advance for the trait ear head girth and moderate heritability with high genetic advance noticed in single ear head grain weight and grain yield per plant indicated that these characters were governed largely through additive effects of genes and improvement in these traits may be achieved through phenotypic selection. Association studies revealed that, selection based on the traits, single ear head grain weight, ear head girth, single ear head weight, number of productive tillers per plant, plant height and grain yield per plant will be effective. In path coefficient analysis, single ear head grain weight and total number of productive tillers showed direct effect to account for yield. The effect through ear head girth, single ear head weight and 1000 grain weight was high in F 3 and F 4 generations indirectly. These revealed that the true relationship of these characters with grain yield. Selection based on these characters may be helpful in planning efficient breeding programme. Total carotenoids and β carotene content was estimated in parents and ten F 4 progenies. Among them, five progenies viz., TNBG-06-81-9-13 (1.698 µg/g), TNBG-06-81-10-9 (1.624 µg/g), TNBG-06-127-3-3 (1.585 µg/g), TNBG-06-53-6-6 (1.460 µg/g) and TNBG-06-81-7-10 (1.420 µg/g) were identified for high β carotene and these lines were used for future breeding programme for producing high yield with β carotene rich pearl millet inbreds.

Combining ability studies for grain yield and its components in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum [L.] R. Br.)

Sixty hybrids of Pearl millet were produced by crossing six male sterile lines with ten diverse inbred lines were studied for combining ability effects. The analysis of variance revealed significant difference between par­ents for all the characters studied. The estimates of combining ability variances suggested the importance of both additive and non-additive gene action in the control of most of the characters.The mean degree of dominance (σ 2 D / σ 2 A ) 0.5 was found greater than unity for characters viz ., productive tillers per plant, grain yield per plant, 1000 grain weight and earhead length, indicating the over dominance.The CGMS line JMSA-9904 was found as good general combiners for days to 50 % flowering, days to maturity and earhead length. The CGMS lines ICMA-98444 and ICMA-20041 were found to be good general combiner for productive tillers per plant and earhead girth but poor combiners for days to 50 % flowering. ICMA-97111 was average combiners for all the charcters. Three parents viz. , J-2340, J-2507 and J-2490 were good general combiner for grain yield. Among the sixty hybrids, 14 hybrids showed the best performance with significantly positive sca effect for grain yield. The cross ICMA-97111 x 236SB had significant and positive sca effects for grain yield per plant, earhead girth and days to maturity.

Estimation of heterosis in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.)] for yield and quality traits

Five CMS lines were crossed with nine testers in a line x tester design to study the extent of heterosis in pearl millet for yield and quality traits. Heterosis was observed in both directions for most of the characters. High magnitude of heterosis was observed for plant height, ear head girth, ear head weight, grain yield per plant and harvest index. The heterosis was moderate for Fe content, Zn content and test weight. The heterobeltiosis for grain yield per plant ranged from -26.50 to 200.00 per cent, while the standard heterosis ranged from -53.38 to 37.79 per cent. The highest heterobeltiosis was recorded by cross JMSA 1 20141 x 149-SB-14 and JMSA 5 20142 x J-2340 followed by JMSA 1 20141 x 81-SB-14, ICMA 4 10444 x 149-SB-14. The cross JMSA 5 20142 x J-2340, ICMA 4 10444 x J-2340 and ICMA 4 10444 x 149-SB-14 recorded the highest standard heterosis for grain yield per plant. These crosses also exhibited desirable heterosis for important yield attributes suggesting that the heterosis for grain yield per plant was associated with heterosis for component character. Thus, these hybrids can be commercially exploited through heterosis breeding programme after testing in multilocational trial to work out its stability and in diseases screening trial to find out its resistance capacity against major pearl millet diseases in order to achieve hybrids with high grain yield in pearl millet.

Performance of pearl millet genotypes under irrigated and rainfed conditions at Hisar, India

A field experiment was carried out at Research Farm of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India to evaluate the performance of pearl millet genotypes (HHB 67 ‘Improved’, HHB 197, HHB 223 and HHB 234) under different environment (rainfed and irrigated). Results showed that irrigated condition recorded significantly (p < 0.05) higher plant height, dry matter accumulation, root dry weight, ear head girth, test weight and yield of pearl millet than rainfed condition. Root length was significantly (p < 0.05) higher under rainfedthan irrigated condition. Genotypes were found significant (p < 0.05) with respect to plant height at harvest and HHB 234 recorded higher plant height. Genotype HHB 223 recorded higher earhead girth (2.6 cm) and test weight (11.16 g) compared to other genotypes. Interaction effect was also found significant (p < 0.05) with respect to plant height, dry matter accumulation, root length and weight and yield. These were higher in genotype HHB 223 and HHB 234 under irrigated and rainfed condition respectively but at 20 days after sowing, longest root was observed in genotype HHB 67 ‘Improved’ under rainfed condition and genotype HHB 197 under irrigated condition. To examine the performance of pearl millet genotypes in terms of survivality and yield potential, evaluation trials are necessary under different environment. Therefore, release of those varieties under different situations are essential for the sustainability of the fragile arid and semi arid regions of country.