Grain Yield Of Pearl Millet Research Articles

Genotype × environment interactions and stability analysis for grain yield in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. BR.]

Genotype × environment interactions and stability analysis for grain yield in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. BR.]

Genotype × environment interactions and stability analysis for grain yield in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. BR.

Genotype × environment interactions and stability analysis for grain yield in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. BR.

Effect of planting methods, Mycorrhiza and zinc fertilization on growth and grain yield of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum)

A field experiment was conducted during rainy (kharif) seasons of 2020 and 2021 at research farm of Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agriculture University, Bikaner, Rajasthan to study the effect of planting methods, Mycorrhiza and zinc fertilization on growth and productivity of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L) R.Br.] in hot arid region. The experiment comprised 24 treatments combination having 3 planting methods (S1, flat bed; S2, ridge and furrow; S3, pit technique) and two Mycorrhiza level (M0, control; M1, 8 kg/ha Mycorrhiza basal) in main plot and 4 zinc fertilization practices (Z0, control; Z1, 0.5% ZnSO4 two foliar spray; Z2, zinc sulphate @10 kg/ha basal + 0.5% foliar spray and Z3, zinc sulphate @20 kg/ha basal) in sub plots were laid out in split-plot design and replicated thrice. It may be inferred that in pearl millet pit planting technique (S3), Mycorrhiza (M1) + fertilized with zinc sulphate (Z2) practice gave significantly higher growth parameters, viz. plant stand (141.20 thousand/ha), plant height (171.1 cm), dry matter accumulation, crop growth rate, relative growth rate, chlorophyll content (4.3 mg/g), root dry weight (9.8 g/plant) and number of green leaves/plant (13.9 no./plant), quality parameters, viz. protein content (12.5%) and protein yield (384 kg/ha) in grain, ash (12.1%) and fibre content (44.3%) in stover and grain yield (3.1 t/ha) as compared to all other treatment combinations on pooled basis. The findings emphasize the potential of this technique for enhancing pearl millet productivity and quality in hot arid regions.

Effect of Adoption of Climate-Smart-Agriculture Technologies on Cereal Production, Food Security and Food Diversity in Central Mali

Over a period of two years, this study analyzes the effect on food security of introducing new technologies through farmer field schools in the project “Adapting Agriculture and Livestock to Climate Change” (ACC). A household survey was conducted to compare 125 households in villages that were part of the project to 79 households in villages that were not part of the project. These two groups were compared regarding cereal surplus production, the number of food-secure months and food diversity. The data were analyzed using analysis of variance, a two-sample t-test and boxplots. The project was implemented in the semiarid regions of Segou and Koulikoro in Mali. The technologies introduced were microdosing of mineral fertilizer, seed priming, new cereal varieties, horticulture, poultry and goat production, assisted natural regeneration and ridging. Microdosing of mineral fertilizer and seed priming was adopted by more than 85% of the households in the ACC villages. Grain yields of pearl millet, sorghum and maize increased by 418, 429 and 673 kg/ha, respectively, (p < 0.0001) due to seed priming and microdosing. This resulted in a cereal surplus of 756 kg in the ACC households, while the surplus in the non-ACC households was 161 kg. In addition, the ACC households were food secure for two months longer than the non-ACC households and consumed food from one more food group than the non-ACC households. This study shows that, despite the difficult situation in Mali, it is possible to improve food security by introducing improved technologies.

Association of photosynthesis of flag leaves with grain yield in pearl millet (Pennisetumglaucum (L.) R. Br.)

The grain yield of pearl millet has increased continuously in past decades through development of hybrids and improved production practices. Elite inbred lines are crucial for innovating new germplasm/traits to break the yield plateau. Hence, 64 inbred lines of pearl millet were evaluated to assess the extent of genetic variability and association among agronomic, physiological and grain yield contributing traits. Analysis of variance showed significant differences among the lines for all the traits indicating sufficient variability for genetic exploitation. The preferred arid adaptation traits, early flowering and high tillering were associated with each other making them amenable for simultaneous selection and these two traits were not associated with grain yield. Hence, for deriving ideotypes suitable for arid adaptation, intensive selection for grain yield in early flowering background was suggested. In productive regions, the plants having greater plant height, larger size of leaves including flag leaf, larger panicle size to accommodate the photosynthates are desirable and these traits were found to be associated among themselves and with grain yield in the current study. Though the maximal photosynthetic efficiency, Fv/Fm was significantly associated with leaf length, flag leaf length, flag leaf width and actual PSII efficiency (Y(II)), these physiological parameters did not significantly associate with grain yield directly and their effects are confounded within the leaf morphological variation.

Deciphering Pearl Millet Grain Yield under Water Stress using Genotypic, Phenotypic Correlation and Path Coefficient Analysis

Yield is a polygenic character, usually depends on its various contributing traits like days to 50% flowering, plant height, and panicle length as well as panicle girth. A study was conducted during kharif 2018 to evaluate the relationship between grain yield and its components in pearl millet using correlation and path analysis studies. In the current study, significant genotypic and phenotypic correlations were found among five yield contributing traits in eighteen pearl millet hybrids. The traits including days to 50% flowering, plant height, and panicle length were found to have positive correlation with grain yield per plant that implied the importance of those traits in selection of high yielding hybrids. Grain yield per plant was used as a dependent character in path-coefficient analysis at the genotypic level. Plant height and panicle length were the independent variables (cm). The highest positive and direct effect was found for days to 50 percent flowering (0.9946) followed by panicle diameter (cm) (0.5726). Pearl millet having deep root system are often found to survive even in various stressful conditions including water stress. These characteristics have made it popular in dry and semi-arid regions around the world; nevertheless, compared to other major cereals, less work has been put into the study of climate-resilient characteristics of pearl millet. We have revealed here some basic ideas of correlation between the grain yield of pearl millet with its yield contributing constituents under drought condition.

Physiological attributes, productivity, micronutrient and heavy metal content in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) as influenced by treated sewage and canal irrigation water under different nutrient sources

Field experiment was conducted to assess the effect of treated sewage water on physiological attributes, productivity, micronutrient and heavy metal content in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) under different nutrient sources during 2018 and 2019. The experiment consisted of 16 treatment combinations with two irrigation sources [canal and treated sewage water], two levels of farm yard manure [2.5 and 5 t ha−1] that assisted in main plots and four fertility levels [control, 50, 75 and 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF, 156.25 kg N and 62.5 kg P2O5 ha−1)] that assisted in subplots in split-plot design using three replications. The results revealed that the irrigation sources did not influence significantly growth parameters, protein percent, fat acidity, canopy temperature and grain yield. However, canal and treated sewage water differ significantly in respect of photosynthesis and chlorophyll content. Further, data showed that different fertility levels differed significantly (P ≤ 0.05). Higher leaf water potential, canopy temperature, photosynthesis and chlorophyll content were recorded with the application of 100% RDF over control, 50 and 75% RDF. The concentration of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Ni and Co) decreased with increasing levels of FYM application from 2.5 to 5 tha−1 in plant, while in soils these were increased with increasing levels of FYM application. The interaction effect showed significant effect on pooled grain yield of pearl millet. Application of 100% RDF along with FYM @ 5.0 t/ha produced higher yield over 75% RDF + FYM @ 5.0 tha−1 and 50% RDF + FYM @ 5.0 tha−1 irrespective of irrigation sources. This clearly showed that higher application of FYM reduces the heavy metal accumulation in pearl millet irrigated with treated sewage water.

Sewage Sludge Impacts on Yields, Nutrients and Heavy Metals Contents in Pearl Millet–Wheat System Grown Under Saline Environment

Salinity prompts heavy metals accumulation and adversely affects nutrient contents in soil and plants, thereby reducing crop yields. The assessment of domestic sewage sludge (SS) under saline conditions to boost crop productivity has become crucial. A field trial was conducted for two consecutive years (2017–2019) with three irrigation levels [canal water (0.35 dS m−1), I1; 8 dS m−1, I2; and 10 dS m−1 saline water, I3]; and five fertilization levels [control, F1; SS (5 t ha−1), F2; SS (5 t ha−1) + 50% RDF, F3; SS (5 t ha−1) + 75% RDF, F4; and RDF, F5]. The results revealed that treatment I3 (10 dS m−1) reduced the grain yield of pearl millet and wheat by an average of 31.2 and 32.6%, respectively, compared to I1 (0.35 dS m−1). However, among fertilizer treatments, F5 obtained significant highest grain and straw yields statistically at par with F4 treatment. Also, in the context of nutrients content in crops, a similar trend has been reported. In the addition, with the usage of saline irrigation (EC 8 and 10 dS m−1) and SS (5 t ha−1), the availability of heavy metals in crops and soil had increased (p = 0.05). The soluble ions in soil increased with increasing salinity levels of irrigation water. The extractability series of heavy metals were: Pb > Co > Ni > Cr > Cd. The addition of SS, however, recorded a higher concentration of DTPA-extractable metals in soil over control. The heavy metals content did not exceed toxicity levels in soil and plants. Hence, the incorporation of SS (5 t ha−1) resulted in saving 25% mineral fertilizers and, also combined use of SS with mineral fertilizers proved to be economically beneficial for crop production.

Growth, productivity and economics of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)- pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) cropping system as influenced by phosphorus, zinc and zinc solublizer

A field experiment was conducted in split plot design with three replications during winter and rainy seasons of 2015–17 at Rajasthan Agriculture Research Institute (RARI), Durgapura-Jaipur to study the growth, productivity and economics of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)-pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) cropping system by using four levels of phosphorus (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg P2O5/ha) and six treatments of zinc and zinc solubilizer (0, 2.5 and 5.0 kg Zn/ha, zinc solubilizer (Bacillus endophyticus), 2.5 kg Zn/ha + zinc solubilizer and 5 kg Zn/ha + zinc solubilizer) applied to fenugreek. Results revealed that application of 40 kg P2O5/ha and 5 kg Zn/ha + zinc solubilizer resulted in significant increase in all growth and yield attributes while application of 60 kg P2O5/ha and 5 kg Zn/ha + zinc solubilizer increased 37% and 26%, respectively, higher seed yield of fenugreek, when compared to control (1367 and 1340 kg/ha). Residual effects of 60 kg P2O5/ha and 5 kg Zn/ha + zinc solubilizer applied to fenugreek increased grain yield of pearl millet up to 2400 kg/ha and 2375 kg/ha, respectively. Combined application of 60 kg P2O5/ha and 5 kg Zn/ha + zinc solubilizer resulted in the highest yield of fenugreek. The net return and B:C ratio was also the highest in 60 kg P2O5/ha and 5 kg Zn/ha + zinc solubilizer. Thus application of 60 kg P2O5/ha and 5 kg Zn/ha + zinc solubilizer to fenugreek improved the productivity and economics of the fenugreek –pearl millet cropping system.

Effect of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. walp) in mixture with pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] as affected by variety and time of cowpea introduction in Maiduguri North Eastern, Nigeria

Field experiments were conducted in 2015 and 2016 rainy seasons at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Crop Production, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri (11047N; 12016E) to study the Effect of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculate L. walp) in mixture with Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] as affected by variety and time of cowpea introduction. The treatments consisted of three pearl millet varieties: ZATIP, SOSAT-C-88 and LACRI-9702-IC, two cowpea varieties: Borno Brown and SAMPEA 11 and four cowpea sowing dates: 0 weeks after sowing millet (WASM), 1 WASM, 2 WASM and 3 WASM. The experimental design was Split-Split plot with the pearl millet varieties allocated to the main plots, cowpea varieties assigned to the sub-plots and cowpea sowing date assigned to the sub- sub plots in 1:1 alternate row arrangement, and replicated three times. The results showed that in 2015, 2016 and the combined mean, Plant height, number of branches/ plants, grain yield/hectare and were significantly greater for Borno Brown than SAMPEA 11 variety. Delaying cowpea sowing date by three weeks after sowing the millet component decreased number of branches, grain yield and fodder yield in cowpea. The SOSAT-C-88 and Borno Brown intercrop produced the highest grain yield of pearl millet in both the years and the combined mean. The cowpea variety Borno Brown was more competitive with pearl millet at simultaneous (0 WASM) or 1 week after sowing millet that had greater grain yield than SAMPEA 11. Fodder yield and pod yield were greater for Borno Brown intercropped with LACRI-9702-IC or SOSAT-C-88 than SAMPEA 11 intercropped with ZATIP. Linear relationships among agronomic parameters of cowpea revealed that, pod yield, grain and fodder yield increased significantly with increase in plant height and number of branches

Maximizing pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) productivity and profitability using site specific nutrient management strategy

Field experiment was conducted during kharif 2014 and 2015 at farmers’ field at Panwari village of Agra district (Uttar Pradesh) to study the effect of site specific nutrient management (SSNM) on productivity, profitability and uptake of nutrients by pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L) R.Br.]. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 10 treatments and three replications. Results, pooled over two years, indicated that the SSNM led to significant increase in grain and stover yield of pearl millet as compared to the state recommended NPK fertilizers and farmers’ practice. SSNM increased the grain yield of pearl millet by 30.6 and 42.2% over state recommended NPK fertilizers and farmer practice, respectively. The maximum net profits of Rupees 45209/ha with a B:C ratio of 2.71 was obtained from pearl millet under SSNM. The minimum net profits (Rupees 29818/ha) and B:C ratio (2.53) were recorded under farmer practice. Omission of P, K, S and Zn nutrients caused grain yield reductions by 22.4% , 24.0% , 7.4% and 7.0% over SSNM, respectively. The uptake of N, P, K, S and Zn by pearl millet grain and stover in SSNM was higher than that of the farmer’s practice. The protein content and protein yield also improved with various treatments over farmers’ practice and the maximum values for both were recorded under SSNM. The fertility status of soil increased with various treatments and the maximum values of organic carbon (4.0 g/kg), available N (204.5 kg/ha), P (16 kg/ha), K (144 kg/ha), S (22.4 kg/ha) and Zn (0.61 mg/kg) were recorded with 120 kg N+60 kg P2O5 + 90 kg K2O+ 20 kg S + 4 kg Zn/ha over other treatments. Omission of S and Zn caused a reduction in available S and Zn status over their initial values.

Yield trends and changes in soil fertility in a long term pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum)-wheat (Triticum aestivum) cropping system managed with organic, inorganic and integrated sources of nutrients

The present study was carried out to evaluate the yield trends and soil fertility under long term field experiment at soil research farm of CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India. Results showed that average grain yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br) across the experimentation period was higher under integrated application of organic manures along with 150 kg N+30 kg P2O5/ha through chemical fertilizers as compared to application of recommended dose of nutrients through chemical fertilizers alone (150 kg N+60 kg P2O5/ha). Lowest grain yield of both crops was observed when organic manures applied alone. Positive yield trend of both the crops was observed under all the nutrient management practices. The highest soil organic carbon (SOC) (1.14%) was recorded with the application of farmyard manure (FYM) followed by pressmud and poultry manure. Build-up of organic carbon ranged from 0.016 to 0.037%/year with application of FYM, poultry manure, pressmud as a component of integrated nutrient management. Highest amount of humic acid-C (HA-C) and fulvicacid-C (FA-C) (0.40 and 0.21%, respectively) was observed with application of 7.5 Mg pressmud along with 150 kg N+30 kg P2O5 /ha. Integrated nutrient management (INM) showed superiority on better grain yield of pearl millet and wheat in these alluvial soils of Haryana.

Deciphering Yield Sustainability of High Yielding Pearl Millet Varieties in Arid Environment

Pearl-millet yield in arid zone vary from being 4 times of long-term average yield due to variations in rainfall. Thus, it is difficult to assess sustainable yield levels and manure and/or urea needed to sustain them. A long-term field experiment (1993–2013) was conducted and results were statistically inferred for above purpose. 80% variation in annual grain yield could statistically be attributed to rainfall and 10% to manure/urea and even this response was not significant in all the years. 20 kg urea-N significantly increased grain yield in five out of 21 years whereas 5 ton manure + 40 kg urea-N increased it in 17 years. Grain yield of pearl-millet cultivated without any manure/urea-N decreased at the rate of 44.9 kg ha−1 year−1. 20 and 40 kg urea-N ha−1 and 2.5 ton manure retarded this decline however 2.5 tons of manure + 20 kg urea-N, reversed this trend. 5.0 ton manure + 40 kg urea-N ha−1 increased grain yield by 33.3 kg ha−1 year−1 and maximum grain production over 21 years was also recorded in this treatment. 2.5 ton manure + 20 kg urea-N ha−1 was selected to provide highest food security. This is also supported by sustainable yield index.

Studies on nutrients integration of organic and inorganic amendments for higher production of rainfed pearl millet

A field study was carried out during three years from 2009-10 to 2011-12 at Regional Research Station, Kali, Aligarh, C.S. Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur. The main objective was to findout the effect of trace elements on grain yield of pearl millet in the integration of FYM and recommended dose of fertilizers. The soil of experimental field was sandy loam, having pH 8.0, organic carbon 0.23%, total nitrogen 0.02%, available phosphorus 13.9 kg/ha and available potash 115 kg/ha, therefore, the fertility status was poor. The twelve treatment combinations i.e., FYM 0 t/ha, RDF + FYM 0 t/ha, RDF + FYM 0 t + ZnSO 4 20 kg/ha, RDF + FYM 0 t + FeSO 4 20 kg/ha, RDF + FYM 0 t + boron 10 kg/ha, RDF + FYM 0 t + gypsum 250 kg/ha, FYM 5 t/ha, RDF + FYM 5 t /ha, RDF + FYM 5 t + ZnSO4 20 kg/ha, RDF + FYM 5 t + FeSO 4 20 kg/ha, RDF + FYM 5 t + boron 10 kg/ha and RDF + FYM 5 t +gypsum 250 kg/ha were tested. The pooled results of three years displayed that application of RDF + FYM 5 t + FeSO 4 20 kg/ha gave significantly higher grain yield of pearl millet (3111 kg/ha), closely followed by RDF + FYM 5 t + ZnSo 4 20 kg/ha (3000 kg/ha). The lowest grain yield of pearl millet recorded at FYM 0 t /ha (1331kg/ha). The growth and yield traits were concordant to the grain yield obtained from rainfed pearl millet.

Energy budgeting and carbon footprint of pearl millet – mustard cropping system under conventional and conservation agriculture in rainfed semi-arid agro-ecosystem

Abstract Modern agricultural systems are energy and carbon intensive. Reducing the carbon footprint and increasing energy use efficiency are two important sustainability issues of the modern agriculture. Realizing the implications of energy and carbon use, the present study was conducted to compare pearl millet–mustard production system in conventional and conservation agriculture practices. The results showed that zero tillage with 4 t ha−1 crop residue increased grain yield of pearl millet and mustard by 22.3 and 24.5% respectively in comparison to conventional tillage without residue which ultimately helped to maintain higher net returns (1270 US$ ha−1). Mulching of crop residue consumed considerable energy and carbon. It comprised 72.3–87.1% of the total energy consumption. Thick residue cover (4 t ha−1) noticed significantly higher energy output and energy intensiveness in both conventional and zero tillage whereas energy-use efficiency (11.5), net energy return (201,977 MJ ha−1) and energy productivity (0.32 kg MJ−1) was highest under no-residue cover. Carbon foot print value was increased with intensity of residue cover and found least under no-residue treatment. Therefore, crop residue should be judiciously used in arid and semi-arid region where livestock mainly depends on it for their fodder requirement.

Canopy temperature, excised leaf water retention, productivity and quality of wheat as affected by various nutrient sources in Pearl millet-wheat cropping system

A field experiment was conducted during the year 2013-14 at Agronomy Research Farm of CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar (India). The experiment consisting of twelve treatments was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. Grain yield of pearl millet (3012 kg/ha) was recorded highest in T6 (50 % RD-NP + 50 % N through FYM). Yield contributing characters were recorded highest in T6 (50 % RD-NP + 50 % N through FYM in pearl millet and 100 % RD-NP in wheat) in wheat crop. In wheat crop, treatment T6 recorded highest growth characters and yield contributing characters. Similarly, highest grain as well as biological yield was recorded in T6. Highest protein content, protein yield, sedimentation value and hectoliter weight was also recorded in T6. Highest grain yield of both pearl millet and wheat (5582 kg/ha) in pearl millet-wheat cropping system was obtained with the application of 50 % RD-NP + 50 % N through FYM in pearl millet and 100 % RD-NP in wheat while lowest yield of pearl millet (976 kg/ha) and wheat (1190 kg/ha) was recorded in T1 (control).

Field efficacy of biopesticides against Helicoverpa armigera in pearl millet

Investigations on evaluation of different bio pesticides against pearl millet ear head worm, Helicoverpa armigera in pearl millet crop were made at Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh during Kharif 2015. Insecticides used in experiment were spinosad @ 0.014 per cent, indoxacarb @ 0.0079 per cent, Beauveria bassiana @2.5 kg/ha, Lecanicillium lecanii @ 2.0 kg/ha, HaNPV @ 500 LE/ha, azadirechtin @ 0.000375 per cent and Bacillus thuringiensis @1.5 kg/ha. Among the eight treatments, spinosad @ 0.014 per cent and indoxacarb @ 0.0079 per cent was found to be most effective in reducing the larval population of H. armigera . The treatments HaNPV @ 500 LE/ha, B. thuringiensis @1.5 kg/ha and azadirechtin @ 0.000375 per cent found moderately effective for the control of this pest. L. lecanii @ 2.0 kg/ha and B. bassiana @2.5 kg/ha proved to be least effective against pearl millet earhead worm. Spinosad @ 0.014 per cent recorded the highest grain yield of pearl millet (2685 kg/ha) and it was at par with indoxacarb @ 0.0079 per cent (2477 kg/ha). As far as economics of various insecticides are concerned, the treatments of HaNPV @ 500 LE/ha or spinosad @ 0.014 per cent or azadirechtin @ 0.000375 per cent were found as effective and economical as recommended synthetic insecticides and are recommended for eco-friendly management of H. armigera in pearl millet ecosystem.

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.

Field evaluation of mixed-seedlings with rice to alleviate flood stress for semi-arid cereals

Abstract Flash floods, erratically striking semi-arid regions, often cause field flooding and soil anoxia, resulting in crop losses on food staples, typically pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench). Recent glasshouse studies have indicated that rice (Oryza spp.) can enhance flood stress tolerance of co-growing dryland cereals by modifying their rhizosphere microenvironments via the oxygen released from its roots into the aqueous rhizosphere. We tested whether this phenomenon would be expressed under field flood conditions. The effects of mix-planting of pearl millet and sorghum with rice on their survival, growth and grain yields were evaluated under controlled field flooding in semi-arid Namibia during 2014/2015–2015/2016. Single-stand and mixed plant treatments were subjected to 11–22 day flood stress at the vegetative growth stage. Mixed planting increased plant survival rates in both pearl millet and sorghum. Grain yields of pearl millet and sorghum were reduced by flooding, in both the single-stand and mixed plant treatments, relative to the non-flooded upland yields, but the reduction was lower in the mixed plant treatments. In contrast, flooding increased rice yields. Both pearl millet–rice and sorghum–rice mixtures demonstrated higher land equivalent ratios, indicating a mixed planting advantage under flood conditions. These results indicate that mix-planting pearl millet and sorghum with rice could alleviate flood stress on dryland cereals. The results also suggest that with this cropping technique, rice could compensate for the dryland cereal yield losses due to field flooding.

The genetic control of sink size traits in pearl millet: from generation means and triple test cross analyses

Sink size traits are the major determinates of grain yield in pearl millet. The genetic architecture of three sink size component traits (panicle length, panicle girth and grain size) were studied using generation means and triple test cross analyses. The plant materials for genetic analysis consisted of two crosses for the generation means, and one cross for triple test cross (TTC) analysis for each of three traits. The genetic populations were developed during the 2005-06 and the field experiments were conducted during the 2006 rainy season and 2007 summer season. Scaling and joint scaling tests revealed that a simplistic additive-dominance model did not adequately explain the observed variation for all the three sink size traits in both seasons, providing an evidence for the presence of epistasis. The six-parameter model and the TTC analyses revealed significance of both additive and dominance gene effects for cross 1 of panicle length, panicle girth and grain size. However, cross 2 of panicle length and panicle girth revealed only additive effect, and of grain size showed the presence of both additive and dominance gene effects. All three types of interactions (additive x additive, additive x dominance and dominance x dominance) were found to be significant in cross 1 of all the traits across seasons using generation means analysis. However, TTC analysis revealed the presence of all types of epistasis for panicle length and panicle girth, and for grain size it revealed the presence of additive x dominance and dominance x dominance (j + l) epistasis. In cross 2, additive x additive (i) interaction alone was significant for panicle length and panicle girth, whereas for grain size, dominance x dominance (l) followed by additive x dominance (j) contributed significantly across the seasons. Breeding strategies for the improvement of sink size traits are discussed based on genetic information obtained. Key words Pearl millet, sink size traits, gene action, generation means and triple test cross