Pearl Millet Crop Research Articles

Cover crop and herbicides can control purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.) and increase crop yields in conservation agriculture-based crop rotations

Adoption of conservation agriculture (CA) practices can lead to the dominance of perennial weeds including purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.) in different agroecologies over time. Without effective management of this weed, successful adoption of CA in smallholder farming systems is rather unlikely. Therefore, we aimed to develop an integrated strategy for managing C. rotundus in CA-based crop rotations. This study encompassed a two-year (during 2020–21 and 2021–22) field experimentation at Kanpur, India with a split-plot design with three replications. The treatments included purple nutsedge management practices in main plot and crop rotations in sub-plot under CA platform (no-tilled with added crop residues). Six management options were adopted in the summer season (during April to June) as main plots that were super-imposed with two crop rotations such as pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Huth) – wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and pearlmillet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br) – chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) as sub-plot. Growing of cover crop Sesbania (Sesbania aculeata (Willd.) Pers.) during the summer season for 45 days followed by knockdown with 2,4-D 500 g a.i. Ha−1 (cultural management; Sesbania+2,4-D) and/or summer irrigation followed by application of halosulfuron-methyl 70 g a.i. Ha−1 at 20 days after irrigation (chemical management; halosulfuron-methyl) reduced the C. rotundus density by 37–42% and 23–64% over years, respectively, than conventional practice (ploughing during summer followed by irrigation and glyphosate 1.5 kg a.e. Ha−1 application). Besides, these practices could decrease 25–27% total weed density (p < 0.05) than conventional practice (mean of years) in summer season. Importantly, these management practices had a carry-over effect on reduction in density of C. rotundus and total weeds of rainy and winter season crops. For instance, Sesbania +2,4-D and halosulfuron-methyl decreased 35% and 15% density of C. rotundus, respectively, during rainy season than conventional practice. Irrespective of crop rotations, Sesbania +2,4-D and halosulfuron-methyl decreased 30–40% density of C. rotundus (mean of years) in winter season than conventional practice (p < 0.05). A significant reduction in dry weight of C. rotundus was recorded under Sesbania +2,4-D and halosulfuron-methyl in summer season by 13–23%, rainy season by 23–29%, and winter season by 55–72% than conventional practice. Pearlmillet-chickpea rotation had a 10–35% lower infestation of C. rotundus than pigeonpea-wheat (p < 0.05). Management practices such as Sesbania +2,4-D and halosulfuron-methyl had higher system productivity by 15–19% in 2020–21 (p < 0.05), 5–7% in 2021–22 (p > 0.05), and 10–12% in average (p > 0.05) than conventional practice. Summer mungbean cultivation increased 45.2% and 10.1% density of C. rotundus in rainy season over Sesbania +2,4-D and halosulfuron-methyl in CA system, respectively (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the density of this weed was significantly higher under pigeonpea crop during rainy season by 41.4% than under pearlmillet crop (mean of years). Therefore, system-based approaches such as growing of cover crop Sesbania followed by knockdown with 2,4-D (Sesbania +2,4-D) and/or herbicide-based management through halosulfuron-methyl during summer season and subsequently recommended weed management practices in cropping systems (pearlmillet – chickpea and pigeonpea – wheat) can reduce the infestation of C. rotundus and total weeds in CA than conventional practice.

Determining the Effect of Potassium and Zinc on Growth and Yield of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.)

The field experiment was conducted in Crop Research Farm (CRF) in Department of Agronomy during Zaid season 2023-24 on Pearl millet crop. The treatment consisted of Potassium (30, 40 and 50 Kg/ha) and Zinc (15, 20 and 25 kg/ha) and a control. The experiment was laid out with a Randomize Block Design (RBD) with ten treatments which are replicated thrice as T1 Potassium 30 kg/ha + Zinc 15 kg/ha, T2 Potassium 30 kg/ha + Zinc 20 kg/ha, T3 Potassium 30 kg/ha + Zinc 25 kg/ha T4 Potassium 40 kg/ha + Zinc 15 kg/ha, T5 Potassium 40 kg/ha + Zinc 20 kg/ha, T6 Potassium 40 kg/ha + Zinc 25 kg/ha, T7 Potassium 50 kg/ha + Zinc 15 kg/ha, T8 Potassium 50 kg/ha + Zinc 20 kg/ha, T9 Potassium 50 kg/ha + Zinc 25 kg/ha and a T10 Control. The soil of experiment plot was sandy loamy in texture, nearly neutral in soil reaction (pH 6.8), low in organic carbon (0.46%), available N (225.42 kg/ha), available P2O5 (38.2 kg/ha) and available K2O (240.7 kg/ha). Application of Potassium 50 kg/ha + Zinc 25 kg/ha was recorded with the results which revealed that significantly highest growth attributes of Pearl millet at 80 DAS viz., Plant height (203.24 cm), dry weight (144.17 g), Ear head length (30.23 cm), grains/head (1848.78) and yield attributes such as Grain yield (4530.43 kg/ha), Stover yield (7246.59 kg/ha).

Effect of Nitrogen and Zinc on Yield and Economics of Pearl Millet

The field experiment was conducted on Pearl millet during kharif season of 2023 at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy. The treatment consisted of three levels of nitrogen (60,80 and 100 kg/ha) and zinc (Soil application 25 kg/ha, Foliar application 0.5% and Soil application 25 kg/ha + Foliar application 0.5%) along with recommended doses of phosphorus and potash and a control (20-40-20 N-P-K/ha). The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with 10 treatment and replicated thrice. Application of Nitrogen 100 kg/ha + 0.5% Zinc (treatment 8) recorded significantly highest grain yield (1.77 t/ha) and stover yield (5.15 t/ha) of pearl millet crop. Maximum net returns (60,336.17 t/ha), gross returns (96,361.67 t/ha) and benefit cost ratio (1.67) are observed in same treatment of pearl millet.

Biochar production potential of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) crop residues and its physico-chemical characterization

Biochar production potential of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) crop residues and its physico-chemical characterization

Assessment of Fertility Status of Soils under Different Cropping Patterns in Rainfed Semi-Arid Eastern Plain of Rajasthan, India

Soil fertility assessment is essential for effective land management practices. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the physico -chemical characteristics of soil under different cropping systems (Pearl millet (S1), Sorghum (S2), Ground nut (S3), Mung-bean (S4), Maize (S5), Pasture (S6) and to test for significant differences in the nutrient in order to provide basis for recommending site specific land management practices in the study area. Soil samples under the aforementioned cropping systems were collected from 3 sites (Malpura Todaraisingh Piplu) in Tonk District. Collected soil samples were examined for various physico-chemical parameters which includes BD, PD, WHC, Porosity, pH, EC, OC, also macro nutrient like N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S by using standard analytical methods. Results showed that lowest pH (6.3 to 6.7) observes in sorghum cropping land while highest PH observed in pearl millet (7.4 to 6.7), while Highest organic matter observed in Mung bean cropping system (1.52 and 1.10%) after that ground nut (1.29 and 0.88%). Highest values (568 Kg/ha and 480 Kg/ha) of Nitrogen was obtained from mung bean soil, while lowest in pearl millet and maize (260 Kg/ha and 329 Kg/ha) crop land.

Frequências de irrigação na cultura do milheto sob estresse salino

ABSTRACT The semi-arid region faces problems related to water deficit and the presence of brackish water that compromise crop performance. Therefore, irrigation frequency can enhance the growth of agricultural crops of interest even under salt stress conditions. In this context, the objective of the present study was to evaluate different irrigation frequencies with water of higher and lower salinity on the agronomic performance of millet. The experiment was conducted from September to November 2020, in the experimental area of the Auroras Seedling Production Unit, belonging to the Universidade da Integração Internacional da Lusofonia Afro-Brasileira, Redenção, Ceará, Brazil. The experimental design used was completely randomized in a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement, with five repetitions. The first factor corresponded to four irrigation frequencies (F1 - daily irrigation; F2 - irrigation every two days; F3 - irrigation every three days; F4 - irrigation every four days) and the second factor consisted of two levels of electrical conductivity of irrigation water (0.3 and 5.0 dS m-1). Salt stress (5.0 dS m-1) negatively affected leaf area, plant height, stalk diameter, panicle length, and leaf, stem, panicle, and total dry mass of millet, under daily and four-day irrigation frequencies. Increasing the interval in irrigation frequency to beyond two days negatively affects the agronomic performance of millet crop, regardless of the electrical conductivity of water used (0.3 or 5.0 dS m-1). Under salt stress conditions, adopting irrigation frequencies between two and three days can be a viable alternative for irrigation management in pearl millet crop.

Minimizing the Effect of Low Moisture Stress in Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) by Regulating Growth, Yield and Antioxidant Defense System Via Foliar Applied Silicon

Most abundant element on earth crust is silicon (Si), easily available and mostly used in farming against low moisture stress in arid regions. Thus, a pot experiment was accomplished for identifying the beneficial effects of Si on the growth, productivity and activity of antioxidants in pearl millet. The millet plant was arranged in complete randomized design (CRD) under normal and drought stress condition and treated with four level of Si (0.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 mmol/L). The results revealed that foliar 5.0 mmol/L of foliar applied Si improved the growth traits (leaf fresh weight 18.99%, stem fresh weight 9.34%, root fresh weight 28.75%, root dry weight 33.11%, plant height 21.7%, and stem diameter 28.26%) and yield traits (no. of grains per spike 9.22%, and grain yield 15.89%). While it enhances the activity of antioxidants as (catalase 8.1%, peroxidase 36.84%, and ascorbate peroxidase 17.16%). In short, foliar application of Si is an effective strategy for improving all the growth and yield traits as well as some of the antioxidants in the presence of low moisture stress in pearl millet crop. In this manner, foliar applied 5.0 mmol/L of Si will be recommended as the best doze for controlling the negative impact on pearl millet crop. Hopefully, the findings of this research will be helpful for the future research against stress related challenges.

Impact of Distillery Spent wash application on soil health under Pearl millet crop

Impact of Distillery Spent wash application on soil health under Pearl millet crop

Effect of Different Organic and Inorganic Fertility Sources on Protein Content in Pearl Millet Crop Grown in Sandy Soils

A field experiment carried out at the S.K.N. College of Agriculture, Jobner, Agronomy farm. The six treatments include four levels of liquid organic manures (control, panchgavya, vermiwash, and cow urine), which are given to the main and sub plots, respectively, and are replicated three times in the Split Plot Design. The integrated nitrogen management treatments include control, 100% RDN, 75% RDN + 25% N through FYM, 50% RDN + 50% N through FYM, 25% RDN + 75% N through FYM, and 100% N through FYM. As a test crop, the pearl millet variety "RHB 223" was used. The findings showed that integrated nitrogen management improved the performance of the pearl millet crop before having a residual effect on the mustard variety Giriraj (DRMR IJ-31). In addition to improved soil health in terms of physical and chemical properties, coordinated nitrogen management significantly raised soil organic carbon and improved crop routine. The application of 25% RDN + 75% N through FYM to pearl millet and 50% RDN + 50% N through FYM to mustard crop, among other treatments, had a residual effect that improved crop performance and quality content while also enhancing the physico-chemical properties of the soil. These methods demonstrate a viable approach to enhancing soil nutrient availability on a sustainable basis.

Pearl Millet–Groundnut Cropping Systems for the Sahel

A two-year study of pearl millet–groundnut cropping systems across two fertilizer levels was conducted in Maradi, Niger, in the Sahelian zone of West Africa. The objective of this study was to identify the best cropping system with and without fertilizer application. The experiment was conducted with ten treatment combinations of five pearl millet and groundnut cropping systems (pearl millet and groundnut sole crops, and three pearl millet—groundnut intercrops) and two fertilizer levels. Yields were approximately 300 kg ha−1 higher in the 2022 high rainfall year than in 2021, but the year did not interact with cropping systems or fertilizer application. All the intercropping systems had an LER above 1.0, and land use efficiency increased by 19 to 41%. Fertilizer application increased yields in all cropping systems by 200 to 600 kg ha−1. The government subsidy increased the value-to-cost ratio by 0.5 to 2.5 units and was required for the economic response for pearl millet sole and intercrops in 2022. The groundnut sole cropping system had the greatest economic response to fertilizer application. Based on the risky environment and multiple end uses needed by producers, the intercrop system M-G: 1:3:1 with fertilizer application is the best option to optimize pearl millet and groundnut production.

Response of Intercropping of Pearl Millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.)] + Green Gram [Vigna radiata] on Yield and Economics under Sandy Loam Soils of Rajasthan, India

The existing experiment was conducted at MJRPU, Jaipur during 2021-22 season. Nowadays fertility of soil was decreasing day by day so the present investigation was conducted to assess the fertility as well as other effects on growth and yield of both the crops. The experiment was conducted using randomized block design with 10 treatment combination replicated thrice. The treatments were as T1-Pearl millet (drilled) + Green gram (1:1) 45 cm, T2-Pearl millet (drilled) + Green gram (2:1) 45 cm, T3-Pearl millet (drilled) + Green gram (1:2) 30 cm, T4-Pearl millet (drilled) + Green gram (2:2) 30 cm, T5-Pearl millet (T. P.) + Green gram (1:1) 45 cm, T6-Pearl millet (T. P.) + Green gram (2:1) 45 cm, T7-Pearl millet (T. P.) + Green gram (1:2) 30 cm, T8-Pearl millet (T. P.) + Green gram (2:2) 30 cm, T9-Pearl millet sole (drilled) 45 cm and T10-Pearl millet sole (T. P.) 45 cm. From the current examination it can be concluded that higher growth parameters, growth, grain yield, straw yield, and net realization of summer pearl millet could be achieved either sole pearl millet crop when transplanted at 45 cm or 30 cm, or when it is transplanted as an intercrop with green gram at a row ratio of 2:1 of 45 cm or sole pearl millet crop when sown by drill method at 45 cm row spacing. The soil available nitrogen also found non-significant at harvest.

An Economic Analysis of Pearl Millet Crop in Rain-fed Micro Farming Situation in Zone IB of Rajasthan, India

An Economic Analysis of Pearl Millet Crop in Rain-fed Micro Farming Situation in Zone IB of Rajasthan, India

Semi physical and machine learning approach for yield estimation of pearl millet crop using SAR and optical data products

ABSTRACT Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.R.Br.), is the most widely cultivated food crop after rice, wheat, and maize. The aim of the project is to determine the crop acreage of Pearl millet (Bajra) using Sentinel-1A SAR data and Machine Learning Algorithm to determine the yield estimation of the Pearl millet crop at the tehsil level using the Monteith approach. The classification overall accuracy is found to be 86.48% for Agra district and 80.15% for Firozabad district. The Relative Deviation of yield estimation for the Agra and Firozabad districts is found to be 10.14 and 6, respectively.

Effect of NPK and Zinc levels on Growth and Yield of Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.)

The experiment was conducted in crop research farm in department of Agronomy during Zaid season of 2022 on Pearl millet crop. The treatment consisted of three levels of NPK (50,75 and 100%) and Zinc (10,15 and 20 kg/ha) and a control. The experiment was laid out with a randomize block design (RBD) with ten treatments which are replicated thrice as T1 : 50% NPK kg/ha + Zinc 10 kg/ha, T2 : 50% NPK kg/ha + Zinc 15 kg/ha, T3: 50% NPK kg/ha + Zinc 20 kg/ha, T4 : 75% NPK kg/ha + Zinc 10 kg/ha, T5 : 75% NPK kg/ha + Zinc 15 kg/ha, T6 : 75% NPK kg/ha + Zinc 20 kg/ha , T7 : 100% NPK kg/ha + Zinc 10 kg/ha, T8 : 100% NPK kg/ha + Zinc 15 kg/ha, T9 : 100% NPK kg/ha + Zinc 20 kg/ha and a T10 : Control. Application of 100% NPK kg/ha combination with Zinc 20 kg/ha was recorded significantly higher plant height (192.43 cm), plant dry weight (42.54 g/plant), ear head length (18.10 cm) number of grains per ear head (1658), grain yield (2.62 t/ha), stover yield (3.33 t/ha), harvest index (43.99%). Maximum gross returns (1,30,750.00INR/ha), net returns (89,939.00INR/ha) and higher Benefit cost ratio (2.22).

Halotolerant Plant Growth Promoting Bacilli from Sundarban Mangrove Mitigate the Effects of Salinity Stress on Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) Growth

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) is one of the major crops in dry and saline areas across the globe. During salinity stress, plants encounter significant changes in their physio and biochemical activities, leading to decreased growth and yield. Bacillus species are used as biofertilizers and biopesticides for pearl millet and other crops to promote growth and yield. The use of Bacillus in saline soils has been beneficial to combat the negative effect of salinity on plant growth and yield. In this context, the present study emphasizes the use of two Bacillus species, i.e. Bacillus megaterium JR-12 and B. pumilus GN-5, which helped in alleviating the impact of salinity stress on the growth activities in salt-stressed pearl millet. Pearl millet seeds were treated with two strains, B. megaterium JR-12 and B.pumilus GN-5, individually and in combination under 50, 100 and 150 mM of sodium chloride stress. The treated plants showed higher plant height, biomass accumulation, and photosynthetic apparatus than the non-treated plants. Additionally, the treated plants showed increased osmoprotectant levels under salinity stress compared to control plants. The antioxidant enzyme content was improved post-inoculation, indicating the efficient stress-alleviating potential of both strains of Bacillus species. Moreover, inoculation of these microbes significantly increased plant growth attributes in plants treated with a combination of Bp-GN-5 + Bm-JR-12 and the reduction rates of plant growth were found to be alleviated to 9.12%, 20.30% and 33%, respectively. Overall, the results of the present study suggested that these microbes could have a higher potential to improve the productivity of pearl millet under salinity stress.

Triple-zero tillage and system intensification lead to enhanced productivity, micronutrient biofortification and moisture-stress tolerance ability in chickpea in a pearlmillet-chickpea cropping system of semi-arid climate

Pearlmillet-chickpea cropping system (PCCS) is emerging as an important sequence in semi-arid regions of south-Asia owing to less water-requirement. However, chickpea (dry-season crop) faces comparatively acute soil moisture-deficit over pearlmillet (wet-season crop), limiting overall sustainability of PCCS. Hence, moisture-management (specifically in chickpea) and system intensification is highly essential for sustaining the PCCS in holistic manner. Since, conservation agriculture (CA) has emerged is an important climate-smart strategy to combat moisture-stress alongwith other production-vulnerabilities. Hence, current study comprised of three tillage systems in main-plots viz., Complete-CA with residue retention (CAc), Partial-CA without residue-retention (CAp), and Conventional-tillage (ConvTill) under three cropping systems in sub-plots viz., conventionally grown pearlmillet-chickpea cropping system (PCCS) alongwith two intensified systems i.e. pearlmillet-chickpea-fodder pearlmillet cropping system (PCFCS) and pearlmillet-chickpea-mungbean cropping system (PCMCS) in split-plot design. The investigation outcomes mainly focused on chickpea (dry-season crop) revealed that, on an average, there was a significant increase in chickpea grain yield under CAc to the tune of 27, 23.5 and 28.5% under PCCS, PCFCS and PCMCS, respectively over ConvTill. NPK uptake and micronutrient (Fe and Zn) biofortification in chickpea grains were again significantly higher under triple zero-tilled CAc plots with residue-retention; which was followed by triple zero-tilled CAp plots without residue-retention and the ConvTill plots. Likewise, CAc under PCMCS led to an increase in relative leaf water (RLW) content in chickpea by ~ 20.8% over ConvTill under PCCS, hence, ameliorating the moisture-stress effects. Interestingly, CA-management and system-intensification significantly enhanced the plant biochemical properties in chickpea viz., super-oxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, catalase and glutathione reductase; thus, indicating their prime role in inducing moisture-stress tolerance ability in moisture-starved chickpea. Triple zero-tilled CAc plots also reduced the N2O fluxes in chickpea but with slightly higher CO2 emissions, however, curtailed the net GHG-emissions. Triple zero-tilled cropping systems (PCFCS and PCMCS) both under CAc and Cap led to a significant improvement in soil microbial population and soil enzymes activities (alkaline phosphatase, fluorescein diacetate, dehydrogenase). Overall, the PCCS system-intensification with mungbean (PCMCS) alongwith triple zero-tillage with residue-retention (CAc) may amply enhance the productivity, micronutrient biofortification and moisture-stress tolerance ability in chickpea besides propelling the ecological benefits under semi-arid agro-ecologies. However, the farmers should preserve a balance while adopting CAc or CAp where livestock equally competes for quality fodder.

Effect of Nutrient Management Practices on Growth, Yield and Economics of Vegetable Indian Bean and its Residual Effects on Fodder Pearl Millet under Vegetable Indian Bean–Fodder Pearl Millet Cropping System

A field experiment was conducted in vegetable Indian bean (Dolichus lablab L.)–Fodder Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) cropping sequence under integrated nutrient management at Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat, India during the rabi seasons (November to February) of 2019–20 and 2020–21 and summer seasons (March to May) of 2020 and 2021. It consisted of six INM treatments applied to vegetable Indian bean during rabi season as main plot treatments replicated four times in randomized block design and during summer season each main plot treatment was splited into three sub-plot treatments with three levels of RDF to fodder pearl millet resulting in eighteen treatment combinations replicated four times in split plot design. The experiment was conducted on the same site without changing the randomization of the treatments for the successive year to assess the residual effects. On the basis of two year pooled results, almost all the growth attributes, yield attributes and yield, net returns and B:C ratio were found significantly superior with the treatment T1 (100% RDN through chemical fertilizer+5 t ha-1 of FYM) in vegetable Indian bean. Similarly, during summer season, the residual effect of INM treatments applied to preceding vegetable Indian bean, the treatment T1 (100% RDN through biocompost) recorded significantly higher growth attributes, yield attributes and yield, net returns and B:C ratio in fodder pearl millet but it remained on par with the treatments T6 and T5. Whereas, direct application of fertilizer levels applied to fodder pearl millet in summer season, the treatment consisting of 100% RDF (F3) recorded significantly higher values of growth, yield, net returns and B:C ratio.

Influence of Cropping System and Nutrient Management Practices on the Yield, and Economics of Pearl Millet [Pennisetum glaucum

The Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of cropping systems and nutrient management practices on the yield, and economics of pearl millet in the School of Agricultural Science, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore, India). The experiments were laid out in Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD) with two factors (Cropping system and Nutrient management) and three replications for two consecutive seasons in 2022-23. The study comprised three cropping system treatments namely C1 – Sole Pearl millet cropping, C2 - Pearl millet + Black gram intercropping (1:1), C3 – Pearl millet + Cowpea intercropping (1:1) along with four nutrient management treatments viz., N1 - 100% Recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) @80:40:40 kg of N, P2O5, and K2O/ha., N2– 75% RDF + Azospirillum @2kg/ha and Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) @2kg/ha, N3 – 75% RDF + Soil application of Azospirillum (2kg/ha) and PSB (2kg/ha) + Foliar spray of 2% urea @ 15 and 35 days after transplanting (DAT), N4 – 75% RDF + Soil application of Azospirillum (2kg/ha) and PSB (2kg/ha) + Foliar spray of Panchagavya3% @ 15 and 35 DAT. The results of the experiment revealed that the intercropping of black gram or cowpea in pearl millet proves to be beneficial and advantageous in terms of, grain yield and returns per rupee invested, rather than going for the sole cropping of pearl millet. On the other hand, reduced application of inorganic recommended dose of fertilizers by 25% with the inclusion of biofertilizers like Azospirillum and phosphate solubilizing bacteria, along with the foliar application of 2% urea or 3% Panchagavya will be an economically viable and environmentally sustainable nutrient management practice for improving the yield of pearl millet.

Management of Saline-Sodic Soil through Press Mud and Sulfur Application for Wheat-Pearl Millet Cropping System

Press mud is a nutrient-rich organic residue and elemental sulfur being a reclamation agent in combination or alone can be used for rehabilitation of salt-affected soils on wheat-pearl millet crops. The results of present study revealed that press mud and sulfur hold excellent potential to reclaim the saline-sodic soil and alleviate the salinity stress in wheat and pearl millet crops. However, integrated use of sulfur (S) and press mud (PM) demonstrated the positive effects on soil health and crop resilience. Application of S @ 50% gypsum requirement (GR) with PM @ 10 t ha-1 showed better results than all other treatments and increased the plant height, number of tillers, spike length, 1000 grain weight, straw yield and grain yield of wheat by 11.16%, 9.87%, 27.93%, 15.65%, 33.54% and 50.26% respectively. Same trend was observed in pearl millet and the plant height, number of tillers, panicle length, grain panicle-1, 1000 grain weight, and grain yield were increased by 16.66%, 22.85%, 13.11%, 9.74%, 13.64%, and19.37% respectively over control. Integrated use of sulfur and press mud also ameliorated the soil properties and reduced the soil pH (4.57%), EC (15.26%), SAR (56.26%), and BD (10.11%) and increased HC (32.5%). Therefore, the integrated sulfur application @ 50% GR and press mud @ 10 t ha-1 are recommended as an effective reclamation strategy to manage the saline-sodic soil for better productivity of wheat and pearl millet crops.

Novel discovery in roles of structural variations and RWP-RK transcription factors in heat tolerance for pearl millet

Global warming adversely affects crop production worldwide. Massive efforts have been undertaken to study mechanisms regulating heat tolerance in plants. However, the roles of structural variations (SVs) in heat stress tolerance remain unclear. In a recent article, Yan et al. (Nat Genet 1–12, 2023) constructed the first pan-genome of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) and identified key SVs linked to genes involved in regulating plant tolerance to heat stress for an important crop with a superior ability to thrive in extremely hot and arid climates. Through multi-omics analyses integrating by pan-genomics, comparative genomics, transcriptomics, population genetics and and molecular biological technologies, they found RWP-RK transcription factors cooperating with endoplasmic reticulum-related genes play key roles in heat tolerance in pearl millet. The results in this paper provided novel insights to advance the understanding of the genetic and genomic basis of heat tolerance and an exceptional resource for molecular breeding to improve heat tolerance in pearl millet and other crops.