Response Of Pearl Millet Research Articles

Response of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) to crop residue application and potassium management options under rainfed condition

A field experiment was conducted during rainy (kharif) seasons of 2021 and 2022 at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to study the impact of crop residue mulching and potassium management options on growth and yield attributes of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br]. The experiment was conducted in a split plot design (SPD) with three mains plots, viz. C0, No residue mulching; C1, Crop residue mulching @3 t/ha; and C2, Crop residue mulching @3 t/ha + Pusa decomposer; and five potassium management in sub plot, viz. K0, No potassium application; K1, 40 kg K2O/ha; K2, 40 kg K2O/ha + potassium solubilising bacteria (KSB); K3, 30 kg K2O/ha + KSB; and K4, 20 kg K2O/ha + KSB. Pearl millet variety Pusa Composite 701 was used for the experiment. Significant variation among growth and yield parameters were observed under crop residue as well as potassium management options. Under crop residue mulching these were recorded maximum in treatment C2 (crop residue mulching @3 t/ha + Pusa decomposer). However, under potassium management options plant height (11.8–13.3%), ear head length (9.5 and 9.8%) and yield (26.7 and 24%) of pearl millet was recorded maximum in treatment K2 (40 kg K2O/ha + KSB) during the consecutive year over the control. These finding highlights the synergistic effects of potassium and residue management demonstrating that the presence of KSB enhanced potassium uptake by the plants, resulting in improved outcomes.

Cryptic Resilience: Decoding Molecular Networks in Pearl Millet for Enhanced Heat Stress

Pearl millet (<em>Pennisetum glaucum</em>), a vital cereal crop renowned for its drought tolerance, is a cornerstone for smallholder farmers in arid and semi-arid regions, ranking as the fifth most significant cereal globally. Despite its resilience, the molecular mechanisms underlying its tolerance to heat stress remained elusive. To address this knowledge gap, we subjected ten-day-old pearl millet seedlings to an unprecedented temperature of 50°C for 60 seconds. Subsequent next-generation RNA sequencing aimed to unravel differential gene expression in heat-stressed seedlings compared to control conditions. Our analysis revealed a remarkable 29.8% differential expression in the genome sequence in response to heat stress. Heat-stressed pearl millet leaves exhibited differential expression in 11,483 genes, with fold changes ranging from 2 to 18.6 compared to the control group. Of these, 3,612 genes displayed upregulation, while 7,871 genes exhibited downregulation. These genes play roles in diverse biological processes involving crucial enzymes such as aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, ligases, methyltransferases, oxidoreductases, and DNA-directed RNA polymerases. The Photosystem II Type I Chlorophyll-a/b-binding protein and heat shock proteins displayed the most significant fold changes in heat-stressed leaves. Moreover, various transcription factor families, including bHLH, ERF, NAC, WRKY, MYB-related, C2H2, bZIP, MYB, FAR1, and B3, vital in controlling pearl millet's response to heat stress, were linked to over 100 differentially expressed genes. The dataset generated through this research, shedding light on the molecular processes enabling pearl millet to withstand heat, holds immense value given the crop's role in food security and resilience to extreme weather. In the context of climate change and global warming, this knowledge lays the foundation for further studies on metabolic engineering and selecting crops resilient to high temperatures. Our transcriptomics approach provides comprehensive gene expression profiles of heat-stressed plants. It elucidates pearl millet's response to heat stress, offering a crucial resource for future investigations into crop adaptation strategies.

Studies on Pearl Millet-Based Intercropping System under Rainfed Condition of Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu, India

Aim: The aim of the study is to ascertain the response of pearl millet under intercropping system with pulses and their ability to produce higher yield under intercropping conditions. Study Design: The study was carried out in Randomized block design (RBD). Place and Duration of Study: The field experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2023-2024 at Karunya Institute of technology and Sciences, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Methodology: The experiment was laid out in randomized block design and replicated thrice. It consisted of eleven treatments comprising of pearl millet as main crop and pulses viz., blackgram, greengram, redgram, cowpea and bengalgram as intercrops. Pulses were intercropped with pearl millet in replacement series of 4:1 and 6:1 row proportion. Results: Significantly higher plant height (186.03cm), dry matter accumulation (7386kg/ha), grain yield (2493 kg/ha) and B:C (2.50) ratio was recorded in pearl millet + blackgram (4:1). Further pearl millet equivalent yield (PMGEY) (2711.1 kg/ha) and Relative Crowding Coefficient (RCC) were higher in pearl millet with blackgram 4:1 ratio and Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) were higher in pearl millet + redgram at a ratio of 4:1. Conclusion: These results confirmed that, pearl millet + blackgram 4:1 intercropping system may be suggested to get greater net return and B: C ratio.

Effect of nitrogen and zinc fertilizer on Zn biofortification in pearlmillet (Pennisetum glaucum)

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) season of 2011–12 at Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh to study the response of pearlmillet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] to nitrogen and zinc on Zn biofortification in this crop. The field experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized block design, with 3 replications, comprising 4 nitrogen (N) levels (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg N/ha) and 3 levels of zinc (0, 5 and 10 kg Zn/ha) with constant rates of phosphorus and potassium at 40 and 30 kg/ha respectively. Application of 60 kg N/ha and 10 kg Zn/ha resulted in the maximum grain yield, N content and uptake by grain and stover of pearlmillet. Zinc content in grain linearly enhanced with sole application of N and Zn levels up to 20 kg N/ha and 5 kg Zn/ha. Combined application of 5 kg Zn/ ha × 20 kg N/ha was found optimum for enhancement of Zn content in grains of pearlmillet. Agronomic nitrogen and zinc efficiency decreased with the increasing nitrogen and zinc levels.

Response of pearl millet on influenced, application of plant growth regulators and zinc on yield and economics

Response of pearl millet on influenced, application of plant growth regulators and zinc on yield and economics

Abiotic stress tolerance in pearl millet: Unraveling molecular mechanisms via transcriptomics.

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.)) is a vital cereal crop renowned for its ability to thrive in challenging environmental conditions; however, the molecular mechanisms governing its salt stress tolerance remain poorly understood. To address this gap, next-generation RNA sequencing was conducted to compare gene expression patterns in pearl millet seedlings exposed to salt stress with those grown under normal conditions. Our RNA sequencing analysis focused on shoots from 13-day-old pearl millet plants subjected to either salinity stress (150 mmol of NaCl for 3 days) or thermal stress (50°C for 60 s). Of 36,041 genes examined, 17,271 genes with fold changes ranging from 2.2 to 19.6 were successfully identified. Specifically, 2388 genes were differentially upregulated in response to heat stress, whereas 4327 genes were downregulated. Under salt stress conditions, 2013 genes were upregulated and 4221 genes were downregulated. Transcriptomic analysis revealed four common abiotic KEGG pathways that play crucial roles in the response of pearl millet to salt and heat stress: phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, photosynthesis-antenna proteins, photosynthesis, and plant hormone signal transduction. These metabolic pathways are necessary for pearl millet to withstand and adapt to abiotic stresses caused by salt and heat. Moreover, the pearl millet shoot heat stress group showed specific transcriptomics related to KEEG metabolic pathways such as cytochrome P450, cutin, suberine, and wax biosynthesis, zeatin biosynthesis, crocin biosynthesis, ginsenoside biosynthesis, saponin biosynthesis, and biosynthesis of various plant secondary metabolites. In contrast, pearl millet shoots exposed to salinity stress exhibited transcriptomic changes associated with KEEG metabolic pathways related to carbon fixation in photosynthetic organisms, mismatch repair, and nitrogen metabolism. Our findings underscore the remarkable cross-tolerance of pearl millet to simultaneous salt and heat stress, elucidated through the activation of shared abiotic KEGG pathways. This study emphasizes the pivotal role of transcriptomics analysis in unraveling the molecular responses of pearl millet under abiotic stress conditions.

Molecular insights into the salt stress response of Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum): Pathways, differentially expressed genes and transcription factors

AbstractIntroductionPearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) plays a crucial role as a cereal crop in arid and semi‐arid regions, where it confronts the formidable challenge of salt stress.Materials and MethodsTo unravel the underlying molecular mechanisms that underpin its salt stress resilience, we subjected 14‐day‐old seedlings to three distinct groups: Control, 75 mM NaCl and 150 mM NaCl. These pots received daily irrigation with their respective treatment solutions for a duration of 7 days. Following this week‐long treatment, we measured plant chlorophyll content, as well as the fresh and dry weights of shoots and roots. It became evident that the saline treatment, particularly in the 150 mM NaCl group, had a more pronounced impact on both weight and chlorophyll content in comparison to the control group, surpassing the effects observed in the 75 mM NaCl group. Subsequently, we conducted RNA sequence analysis on the leaves of Pearl millet from both the control and 150 mM NaCl‐treated groups.ResultsThe results revealed that 27.6% of Pennisetum glaucum genes exhibited differential expression, with 3246 genes being upregulated and 7408 genes downregulated when compared to the control group. Principal component analysis underscored distinct variations in gene expression patterns between the control and salt‐stressed groups. Pathway analysis sheds light on the upregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs), highlighting their involvement in crucial pathways such as phytyl‐PP biosynthesis, lysine degradation, glutamate biosynthesis, nitrate assimilation and DLO biosynthesis. Conversely, the downregulated DEGs were associated with pathways like coumarins biosynthesis, pinobanksin biosynthesis, UDP‐ d‐glucuronate biosynthesis and cholesterol biosynthesis, among others. Furthermore, our transcription factor analysis unveiled specific families associated with the salt stress response, including bHLH, ERF, NAC, WRKY, bZIP, MYB and HD‐ZIP.ConclusionsThese findings represent a significant advancement in our comprehension of Pearl millet's capacity to withstand salt stress and provide potential targets for the development of salt‐resistant crops, contributing to the advancement of sustainable agriculture in regions affected by salinity.

Response of pearlmillet to hydrogel application and zinc fertilization under semi-arid conditions of Rajasthan

Response of pearlmillet to hydrogel application and zinc fertilization under semi-arid conditions of Rajasthan

Water productivity and canopy thermal response of pearl millet subjected to different irrigation levels

Pearl millet is a valuable alternative crop to biomass and forage production. However, water productivity (WP) in this crop under limited water conditions remains unclear in literature. In addition, rapid and reliable techniques to detect water stress spatial variability under field conditions are necessary. The objective of this study was to verify the yield and canopy thermal responses of pearl millet subjected to different water replacement levels (WRL). A rain shelter experiment was conducted using a randomized block design with four replications at University of São Paulo in Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil. Pearl millet cultivar BRS-1501 was subjected to four WRL treatments: WRL40, WRL70, WRL100 and WRL130. The reference WRL treatment, WRL100, was irrigated to maintain soil moisture at field capacity level, whereas the other treatments were a fraction of the irrigation depth applied in WRL100 treatment. The highest dry biomass yield obtained was 12.1 Mg ha−1 under WRL130 treatment, and this value diminished as WRL decreased. On the contrary, WP increased as the WRL decreased, recording the highest WP in WRL40 (9.0 kg m−3). Pear millet canopy showed different thermal responses as a function of WRL treatments imposed, being an alternative tool to detect water stress zones in the field by remote sensing technologies.

Breeding Drought-Tolerant Pearl Millet Using Conventional and Genomic Approaches: Achievements and Prospects.

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] is a C4 crop cultivated for its grain and stover in crop-livestock-based rain-fed farming systems of tropics and subtropics in the Indian subcontinent and sub-Saharan Africa. The intensity of drought is predicted to further exacerbate because of looming climate change, necessitating greater focus on pearl millet breeding for drought tolerance. The nature of drought in different target populations of pearl millet-growing environments (TPEs) is highly variable in its timing, intensity, and duration. Pearl millet response to drought in various growth stages has been studied comprehensively. Dissection of drought tolerance physiology and phenology has helped in understanding the yield formation process under drought conditions. The overall understanding of TPEs and differential sensitivity of various growth stages to water stress helped to identify target traits for manipulation through breeding for drought tolerance. Recent advancement in high-throughput phenotyping platforms has made it more realistic to screen large populations/germplasm for drought-adaptive traits. The role of adapted germplasm has been emphasized for drought breeding, as the measured performance under drought stress is largely an outcome of adaptation to stress environments. Hybridization of adapted landraces with selected elite genetic material has been stated to amalgamate adaptation and productivity. Substantial progress has been made in the development of genomic resources that have been used to explore genetic diversity, linkage mapping (QTLs), marker-trait association (MTA), and genomic selection (GS) in pearl millet. High-throughput genotyping (HTPG) platforms are now available at a low cost, offering enormous opportunities to apply markers assisted selection (MAS) in conventional breeding programs targeting drought tolerance. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology, micro-environmental modeling, and pearl millet whole genome re-sequence information covering circa 1,000 wild and cultivated accessions have helped to greater understand germplasm, genomes, candidate genes, and markers. Their application in molecular breeding would lead to the development of high-yielding and drought-tolerant pearl millet cultivars. This review examines how the strategic use of genetic resources, modern genomics, molecular biology, and shuttle breeding can further enhance the development and delivery of drought-tolerant cultivars.

Transcriptional Changes in Pearl Millet Leaves under Heat Stress.

High-temperature stress negatively affects the growth and development of plants, and therefore threatens global agricultural safety. Cultivating stress-tolerant plants is the current objective of plant breeding programs. Pearl millet is a multi-purpose plant, commonly used as a forage but also an important food staple. This crop is very heat-resistant and has a higher net assimilation rate than corn under high-temperature stress. However, the response of heat resistant pearl millet has so far not been studied at the transcriptional level. In this study, transcriptome sequencing of pearl millet leaves exposed to different lengths of heat treatment (1 h, 48 h and 96 h) was conducted in order to investigate the molecular mechanisms of the heat stress response and to identify key genes related to heat stress. The results showed that the amount of heat stress-induced DEGs in leaves differs with the length of exposure to high temperatures. The highest value of DEGs (8286) was observed for the group exposed to heat stress for 96 h, while the other two treatments showed lower DEGs values of 4659 DEGs after 1 h exposure and 3981 DEGs after 48 h exposure to heat stress. The DEGs were mainly synthesized in protein folding pathways under high-temperature stress after 1 h exposure. Moreover, a large number of genes encoding ROS scavenging enzymes were activated under heat stress for 1 h and 48 h treatments. The flavonoid synthesis pathway of pearl millet was enriched after heat stress for 96 h. This study analyzed the transcription dynamics under short to long-term heat stress to provide a theoretical basis for the heat resistance response of pearl millet.

Physiological quality and biomass production of Pennisetum glaucum as a function of manganese application

The use of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) for biomass production has increased significantly across much of the Brazilian Midwest. This region is characterized by weathered soils with low pH and low in fertility. Phosphorus and micronutrients are particularly low in these soils. Therefore, studies evaluating the management of micronutrients, especially manganese (Mn), are essential to improve the productivity of pear millet. This study aimed to assess the effect of Mn fertilization on the physiology traits and biomass production of pearl millet. The study was conducted in a greenhouse using a completely randomized design with four replications. Five Mn rates were applied (0 (control), 3, 6, 9, and 12 kg ha−1, as MnO) at planting. Biometric (plant height, stem diameter, and leaf area index) and physiological quality (cholorpyll index, transpiration, photosynthesis, leaf CO2 concentration, and stomatal conductance) were evaluated 30 and 65 days after emergence (DAE). Millet biomass, at harvest, was also evaluated. Pearl millet response to Mn fertilization was significant on measurements taken 65 DAE, with exception of leaf area index. Regardless of time of measurements, applying 6 kg Mn ha−1 provided the best results at the end of the experiments. Increased Mn rates, above 6 kg ha−1, caused a decrease in the physiological traits of millet but did not affect the biomass production. Moreover, greater Mn utilization efficiency by plants was found at the 6 kg ha−1 Mn rate, suggesting that this is the recommended rate for improving biomass production of pear millet grown under similar soil and weather conditions.

Effect of levels and scheduling of nitrogen on economic, quality, nutrient content, uptake and soil status of pearl millet

A field experiment entitled “Response of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) to levels and scheduling of nitrogen under south Gujarat condition was conducted on heavy black soil at the College Farm, N. M. College of Agriculture, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari (Gujarat) during the summer season 2016. The experiment comprising twelve treatment combinations were laid out in factorial randomized block design and replicated three times. The treatment consisted combinations of four levels of nitrogen viz. 60 kg N/ha (N1), 80 kg N/ha (N2), 100 kg N/ha (N3) and 120 kg N/ha (N4) and three scheduling of nitrogen viz. 50% at basal + 50 top dressing at 30 DAS (M1), 50% at basal + 50% top dressing at 45 DAS (M2) and 50% at basal + 25% top dressing at 30 DAS + 25% top dressing at 45 DAS (M3). The recommended dose of phosphorus @ 40 kg/ha was applied uniformly to all the treatment as basal in form of single super phosphate. Nitrogen was applied as per treatment in form of urea. The result of the experiment showed that maximum gross return and net return obtained with 120 kg N/ha followed by 100 kg N/ha and 80 kg N/ha. NPK content in grain and straw found non significant with respect to nitrogen level. However uptake of NPK were significantly higher with 120 kg N/ha which was at par with 100 kg N/ha. Nutrient status of soil were not affected significantly with respect to N and P2O5, but K2O status significantly increased with 120 kg N/ha followed by 100 kg N/ha In case of scheduling of nitrogen, maximum gross return and net return secured with 50% at basal + 25% top dressing at 30 DAS + 25% top dressing at 45 DAS (M3) followed by 50% at basal + 50% top dressing at 45 DAS (M2). NPK content in grain and straw found non significant with respect to nitrogen. Significantly higher uptake of NPK reported with 50% at basal + 25% top dressing at 30 DAS + 25% top dressing at 45 DAS (M3) followed by 50% at basal + 50% top dressing at 45 DAS (M2). Nutrient status of soil was not affected significantly with respect to N and P2O5, but K2O status significantly increased with splitting. Thus based on one year field experimentation, it is concluded that higher quality, nutrient uptake, soil status and better economic returns of summer pearl millet can be obtained by fertilizing the crop with 80 kg N/ha and scheduling at 50% at basal + 50% top dressing at 45 DAS along with recommended fertilizer dose of 40 kg P2O5 /ha.

Morpho-Physiological Variations in Pearl Millet [Pennisetum glaucum L. (R.Br)] in Response to Foliar Applications of NPK

This study was carried out to evaluate the response of Pearl millet to foliar applications of NPK fertilizer with different levels i.e. T (control), T (NPK 4:4:3), T (NPK 8:8:6). Foliar applications of NPK fertilizer enhanced the growth and chlorophyll 0 1 2 contents of pearl millet. Maximum increase in growth attributes were recorded in T (NPK 8:8:6) while, high increase in chlorophyll 2 and carotenoides contents of pearl millet was measured in T (NPK 4:4:3) as compared to T0 (control) and T (NPK 8:8:6) at both 1 2 + seedling and vegetative stages. Variations were also observed in chemical analysis for N and K at both stages of growth under NPK applications. It was concluded that NPK are the major nutrients required for plant growth but its applications are more effective than applications in root medium.

Response of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) to plant population in the semi-arid environments of Nigeria

Low planting densities and use of unimproved varieties contribute to the low yields of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) in Nigeria. Field experiments were conducted during the 2013 and 2014 growing seasons, to evaluate the response of pearl millet varieties to varying plant hill population in semi-arid environments of Nigeria. Year, variety and plant hill population had significant (p ≤ 0.05) effect on days to 50% flowering, grain and stalk yields. With exception of Sosat-C88 at 8,889 hills ha-1, the grain and stalk yields of pearl millet varieties were found to be significantly higher at higher hill populations than lower hill populations in both locations. Plant chlorophyll content (SPAD) at 21 DAS (days after sowing) was higher and significantly correlated with grain yields in Minjibir than value at 42 DAS. Similarly, leaf area index (LAI) at 42 DAS was significantly correlated with grains than at 63 DAS. Increasing hill population to 13,333, 26,667 and 53,333 hills ha-1 increased grain yield by 5.8, 5.3 and 4.5% in Minjibir and by 14.3, 18.7 and 10.1% in Gambawa respectively compared to 8,889 hills ha-1. Similarly, stalk yields increased with increased plant hill population, which ranged from 6 to 23% at Minjibir and 11 to 15% at Gambawa over 8,889 hills ha- 1. Sosat-C88 was found to produce higher yield across the different hills population than the other varieties tested with mean yield gained by 17% in Minjibir and 19.3% in Gambawa over local variety. Results suggest no blanket recommendation for the hill population across the varieties; GB8765 attained an optimal yield at a population of 13,333 hills ha-1 in both locations beyond which grain yield decline. Sosat-C88 produced an optimum yield at lower population of 8,889 hills ha-1 at Minjibir and higher population of 26,667 hills ha-1 at Gambawa while local variety an optimal yield was stable at 26,667 hills ha-1 in both locations.

Crop response to manure and fertilizer in Burkina Faso and Niger

Farmyard manure (FYM) is valuable for soil management, especially for soils with < 10 g kg−1 organic C in semi-arid West Africa. This study determined short-term FYM effects on yield and on response to N, P and K fertilizer for 20 trials in Niger and 28 trials in Burkina Faso involving six crops. The comparisons were of 0 and 2.5 Mg ha−1 yr−1 FYM applied in Niger, and of 0 and 5 Mg ha−1 FYM applied once in 2 years in Burkina Faso. Fertilizer and FYM application alone had little effect on yield in Niger but there was a synergistic effect of fertilizer P with FYM which included increased mean responses to P of, respectively: 0.22 and 0.43 Mg ha−1 for sorghum grain and fodder (Sorghum bicolor L.); 0.15 and 0.27 Mg ha−1 for cowpea grain and fodder; 0.16 Mg ha−1 grain for pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) when intercropped with cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.); and 0.39 Mg ha−1 for groundnut fodder (Arachis hypogea L.). Application of FYM increased pearl millet response to N but decreased legume response to K fertilizer. In Burkina Faso, there was a mean grain yield increase of 0.29 Mg ha−1 yr−1 due to FYM and the effect of applying both FYM and fertilizer was additive except for a synergy of N fertilizer plus manure application for maize (Zea mays L.). Therefore, farmers should apply FYM and fertilizer together in Niger but these can be applied alone or together in Burkina Faso with mostly similar effects.

Quantifying pearl millet response to high temperature stress: thresholds, sensitive stages, genetic variability and relative sensitivity of pollen and pistil.

The objectives were to (1) quantify high temperature (HT) stress impacts at different growth stages (season long, booting to seed-set and booting to maturity) on various yield components; (2) identify the most sensitive stage(s) to short episodes of HT stress during reproductive development; (3) understand the genetic variations for HT stress tolerance based on cardinal temperatures for pollen germination; and (4) determine relative sensitivity of pollen and pistil to HT stress and associated tolerance or susceptible mechanisms in pearl millet. High temperature stress (≥36/26°C) imposed at different stages and durations caused decrease in number of seeds, individual seed weight and seed yield. Two periods (10-12days and 2-0days before anthesis) were identified as most sensitive to short episodes of stress, causing maximum decreases in pollen germination percentage and seeds numbers. HT stresses of ≥36/26°C results in floret sterility. Pistils were relatively more sensitive than pollen grains, causing decreased number of seeds and seed yield. HT stress increased the reactive oxygen species contents and decreased the activity of the antioxidant enzymes in both pollen and pistils. Under HT stress, pistils had relatively higher reactive oxygen species and lower antioxidant enzymes activity compared with pollen grains, which explains greater susceptibility of pistils.

Improving pearl millet for drought tolerance – Retrospect and prospects

Drought stress is the most important production constraint of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) in sub-Sahara Africa and south Asia where it is the staple diet and cheaper source of nutritious food for more than 90 million people. A much greater necessity therefore exists for improving pearl millet for drought-prone areas to attain food security in resourcelimited and fragile ecosystems. An attempt is made here to review the progress made in understanding the adaptation mechanism of pearl millet to drought situation and then to appraise how this knowledge has been used in improving drought-tolerance of pearl millet. A good amount of work has been accomplished in understanding the response of pearl millet to drought imposed at different growth stages of crop in order to understand its adaptation to drought stress. The foremost issues that have been addressed in breeding for enhanced drought tolerance in pearl millet are nature of base germplasm used, selection criterion, and representation of target environment during development, testing and evaluation of cultivars. Recent advancement in development and application of genomic tools in pearl millet is expected to improve the efficiency of breeding for improved drought tolerance. The major achievements in developing pearl millet specifically for drought conditions include identifying genetic material with built-in tolerance, developing early maturing cultivars, assigning importance to both grain and stover yields while releasing the cultivars, and identification of quantitative trait loci associated with drought tolerance. Prospects of further improvement of pearl millet for drought-prone areas are also discussed in this review.

Effects of Water Stress and Nitrogen Fertilizer on Multi-Cut Forage Pearl Millet Yield, Nitrogen, and Water Use Efficiency

Forage pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum var. Nutrifeed) is a new forage crop in Iran. A field experiment was conducted at the University of Tehran to evaluate the response of pearl millet to four nitrogen (N) levels (0, 75, 150, and 225 kg N ha−1) and four irrigation regimes (40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% of available soil water abbreviated to I40, I60, I80 and I100, respectively) during 2006–2007. Total dry matter production reached a maximum of 24.4 and 23.5 t ha−1at I40 and I60 at N225, respectively. Nitrogen use efficiency decreased by adding more fertilizer and minimum nitrogen use efficiency was recorded at N225 over all irrigation regimes. At N225, water use efficiency reached the maximum of 3.57 and 4.10 kg m−3 in I80 and I100, respectively. Pearl millet forage could be produced in the regions where water is scarce and additional N fertilizer could increase total dry matter and water use efficiency.

Microdose and N and P fertilizer application rates for pearl millet in West Africa

The objective of this study was to determine the grain and stover yield response of pearl millet to microdose fertilizer application alone, and microdose combined with N and P fertilizer application rates across years and locations in West Africa. Microdose fertilizer application increased pearl millet grain yields by 240 to 300 kg ha-1 on sandy soils across a broad range of climatic and soil conditions in West Africa, while increasing pearl millet grain yields by 400 kg ha-1 on silty clay soils in Mali. Stover yield increases of pearl millet were 250 to 400 kg ha-1 on sandy soils and 500 to 2500 kg ha-1 on silty clay soils in Mali. Application of 20 kg ha-1 P2O5 and 30 kg ha-1 N in addition to microdose commonly increased grain yields by 140 to 180 kg ha-1 and stover yields by 600 to 1500 kg ha-1 over that of microdose application only. These results indicate that micodose in combination with 20 kg ha-1 P2O5 and 30 kg ha-1 N fertilizer application is required to optimize both grain and stover yield of pearl millet in West Africa to meet food, fuel and soil improvement needs of farmers. Key words: Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br., grain yield, stover yield.