Yield Of Pearl Millet Research Articles

Impacts of 1.5 versus 2.0 °C on cereal yields in the West African Sudan Savanna

To reduce the risks of climate change, governments agreed in the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rise to less than 2.0 °C above pre-industrial levels, with the ambition to keep warming to 1.5 °C. Charting appropriate mitigation responses requires information on the costs of mitigating versus associated damages for the two levels of warming. In this assessment, a critical consideration is the impact on crop yields and yield variability in regions currently challenged by food insecurity. The current study assessed impacts of 1.5 °C versus 2.0 °C on yields of maize, pearl millet and sorghum in the West African Sudan Savanna using two crop models that were calibrated with common varieties from experiments in the region with management reflecting a range of typical sowing windows. As sustainable intensification is promoted in the region for improving food security, simulations were conducted for both current fertilizer use and for an intensification case (fertility not limiting). With current fertilizer use, results indicated 2% units higher losses for maize and sorghum with 2.0 °C compared to 1.5 °C warming, with no change in millet yields for either scenario. In the intensification case, yield losses due to climate change were larger than with current fertilizer levels. However, despite the larger losses, yields were always two to three times higher with intensification, irrespective of the warming scenario. Though yield variability increased with intensification, there was no interaction with warming scenario. Risk and market analysis are needed to extend these results to understand implications for food security.

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

Effect of Long-term Integrated Nutrient Management on Productivity of Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum)-Mustard (Brassica juncea) Cropping System and Soil Fertility in an Inceptisol

The effect of varying levels of plant nutrients on pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum)-mustard (Brassica juncea) cropping system productivity and available nutrients during 2003–2013 is being studied in an Inceptisol at Gwalior under the long-term permanent manurial trial. The results revealed that the application of recommended levels of NPK to pearl millet and mustard with organic manure (10 t FYM ha−1 yr−1) and biofertilizers (Azotobacter and phosphate solubilizing bacteria, PSB) resulted in 100.9 and 130.2 per cent increase over control in pearl millet and mustard yields, respectively. Increasing levels of NPK from 50 to 150% significantly increased the yield of both the crops. Integrated use of organic, inorganic and biofertilizers improved the soil status of available N and P by 83 and 20.3 kg ha−1, over the initial values. A declining trend (37 to 101 kg ha−1) from the initial value of available K (250 kg ha−1) was also recorded as a result of continuous cropping which was prevalent in all the treatments. This indicates a considerable mining of available K from the soil and suggest the need to adopt judicious fertilization.

Testing pearl millet and cowpea intercropping systems under high temperatures

With the potential threat of more frequent climate extremes putting semi-arid crop production in jeopardy, there is a need to establish more climate resilient cropping practices. Intercropping is often practiced by farmers in semi-arid regions and is perceived as a risk reducing practice. However, there is little knowledge of how and to what extent it can be a viable option under future conditions. As testing a complex adaptation strategy in controlled environments is difficult, conducting field experiments in the dry season offers opportunities to test cropping systems under extreme but real-world conditions. Consequently, a field trial was run in semi-arid India over a two-year period (2015 and 2016) in the dry and hot (summer) season. These trials were set up as a split-split-plot experiment with four replicates to assess the performance of simultaneously sown sole versus intercropped stands of pearl millet and cowpea, with two densities (30 cm and 60 cm spacing between rows - both with 10 cm spacing within rows), and three water treatments (severe stress, partial stress, and well-watered) applied with drip irrigation.Results showed that intercropping pearl millet led to a significantly lower total grain yield in comparison to the sole equivalent. Pearl millet’s highest yields were 1350 kg ha−1 when intercropped and 2970 kg ha−1 when grown as a sole crop; for cowpea, 990 kg ha−1 when intercropped, and 1150 kg ha−1 as a sole crop. Interestingly, even when maximum daily temperatures reached up to 42.2 °C (on Julian day 112 in 2016), well-watered, pearl millet produced reasonable yields. Cowpea yields were often lower than 1000 kg ha−1. Only under the highest irrigation treatment (well-watered) sole cropped, low density were yields of 1150 and 1110 kg ha−1 achieved in 2015 and 2016, respectively. We conclude that successful intercropping systems must be highly specific to conditions and demands. More research would be needed to identify suitable cowpea genotypes and planting densities that could allow for higher intercropped pearl millet yields.

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.

Phenotypic and molecular diversity-based prediction of heterosis in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L. (R.) Br.)

Genetic distances between hybrid parents based on phenotypic traits and molecular markers were investigated to assess their relationship with heterosis for grain and stover yield and other traits in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum [L.] R. Br.). Fifty-one hybrids developed using 101 hybrid parents (B and R lines) and showing a wide range of genetic distance between their parents based on eight phenotypic traits and 28–38 SSRs were evaluated in two sets for two seasons. The correlation between Euclidean distance (phenotypic distance, ED) and simple matching distance (molecular distance, SM) for parents of both sets was low but positive and significant (r=0.2, P<0.001).The correlation of ED in parents with better-parent heterosis for grain yield was similar in both sets (r=0.38, P<0.05). SM was not correlated with heterosis for grain yield in either set of hybrids. The results showed that phenotypic distance could be a better predictor of heterosis than molecular distance. The correlation between phenotypic distance and heterosis was not strong enough to permit the use of phenotypic diversity among parents as a major selection criterion for selection of parental lines displaying high levels of heterosis for grain and stover yield in pearl millet.

English

Hydropriming of pearl millet seeds was tested during two growing seasons in Burkina Faso. A total of 32 field experiments were distributed equally between two agro-ecological zones: The Northern zone receiving on average less than 600 mm annual precipitation and the Central zone receiving 600 to 900 mm. Hydropriming was performed by soaking of seeds in water for 6 h, followed by air-drying overnight. In the Northern zone, an increase of both emergence and yield was observed for hydroprimed seeds in both years of testing. This was reflected by a higher yield observed in 13 out of 16 field experiments, increased median yield (+159 kg/ha; p<0.0053) and an increase of the relative yield by +29% as a field average (p<0.000054). In contrast, in the Central zone a net negative effect on crop emergence was observed in both years, and only 5 out of 16 field experiments showed a yield increase for hydroprimed seeds. Meteorological data confirmed the difference in rainfall between the two zones. Hydropriming by 6 h of soaking and drying of seeds overnight appears as a simple method to increase yield of pearl millet significantly in the most arid out of two agro-ecological zones tested in Burkina Faso. Drying of seeds overnight is a novel agronomically feasible approach, allowing a full day for subsequent sowing. Key words: Seed-priming, hydro-priming, Sahel, millets, location-dependent effect.

Response of Zinc Fertilization on Production and Profitability of Pearl millet (Pannisetum Glaucum) under Rainfed Condition of Rajasthan

Three years field experiment conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Bikaner (Rajasthan) to study the effect of zinc application on production potential and profitability of rainfed pearl millet. On the basis of pooled data, results revealed that application of zinc through ZnSO4 @ 20 kg/ha recorded significantly higher plant height (119.19 cm), number of leaves/plant (5.37), dry matter/plant (52.85 g), total tillers/plant (4.89), effective tillers/plant (3.62), length of ear (22.19 cm), test weight (7.17 g), seed yield (1608 kg/ha), stover yield (3147 kg/ha), protein content (11.60%), net return (Rs.10,868) and B:C ratio (2.96) ZnSO4 @ 20 kg/ha and over the control plot. Further, data showed that significantly higher growth parameters, yield attributes, seed yield (1412 kg/ha), stover yield (3098 kg/ha), protein content (11.10%), net return (Rs. 10,842) and B:C ratio (3.10) were obtained under 0.5% foliar spray of ZnSO4 at tillering stage which was statistically at par with 0.5% foliar spray of ZnSO4 at pre-flowering stage. Thus, the findings of present investigation indicated that application of Zn @ 20 kg/ha as well as a foliar spray of 0.5% at pre-flowering stage booted the yields of pearl millet and obtained maximum net returns under the rainfed conditions of Rajasthan.

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.

Changes of phosphorus fractions in saline soil amended with municipal solid waste compost and mineral fertilizers in a mustard-pearl millet cropping system

Salinity affects phosphorus (P) fractionation and its availability in soil and thereby crop growth as well as yields. Therefore understanding of P transformation and availability in soil with use of different sources of P is crucial to adopt appropriate P management practices for improving productivity of saline soils. A field experiment comprising of four treatments replicated thrice was conducted for three consecutive years during 2012–15. Treatments consisted of control (Ct), recommended dose of N-P-K fertilizers at 60-30-30kgha−1 (RDF-100%), municipal solid waste compost at 16Mgha−1 (MSWC-16) and MSWC at 8Mgha−1+RDF-50% (MSWC-8+RDF-50%) laid out in randomized complete block design. Among different phosphorous fractions across the years; saloid-P (S-P), iron-P (Fe-P), calcium-P (Ca-P) and occluded-P (Occ-P) increased markedly after 2012–13 with continuous increase in subsequent years in all treatments compared to Ct. However, MSWC-8+RDF-50% produced significant increase in all P fractions, including Olsen-P, total-P (Pt) and inorganic-P (Pi), except S-P as compared to RDF-100%. Whereas, all P fractions progressively declined in Ct from 2012–13 to 2015, indicating continuous removal by mustard (Brassica juncea) and pearl millet (Pennisetumglaucum). MSWC-8+RDF-50% also recorded 16 and 22% higher organic-P (Po) and alkaline phosphatase activity (ALPA), respectively during 2015 over 2012–13 in corresponding treatment. Soil organic carbon (SOC) increased with RDF-100% over Ct across the years as well as within year; however, the highest SOC (5.7gkg−1) was observed with MSWC-8+RDF-50%. Mean soil salinity (electrical conductivity; EC) decreased by 38 and 25% with MSWC-8+RDF-50% and MSWC-16, respectively relative to Ct (4.8dSm−1). Relatively better P availability and lower soil EC with MSWC-8+RDF-50% and resulted significantly higher mean (of three year) grain yield of mustard (2.38Mgha−1) and pearl millet (2.44Mgha−1) over RDF-100%. Nevertheless, RDF-100% produced 11 and 15% higher mean grain yield of mustard and pearl millet, respectively than Ct. MSWC-8+RDF-50% also resulted in higher P uptake by grain of both crops as compared to RDF-100%. Our results highlighted that integrated use of organic amendment (MSWC-8) and mineral fertilizers (RDF-50%) is beneficial option for improving P availability and crop yields under saline conditions.

Impact of cultivars and integrated nutrient management on growth, yield and economics of summer pearl millet.

Impact of cultivars and integrated nutrient management on growth, yield and economics of summer pearl millet.

Bioremediation of salt affected soils using cyanobacteria in terms of physical structure, nutrient status and microbial activity

In present investigation, consortia of two indigenous heterocystous cyanobacteria, Nostoc ellipsosporum HH-205 and Nostoc punctiforme HH-206 isolated from a salt affected area of Hisar, Haryana (India) were used as biofertilizer in bioremediation of salt affected soils having high electrical conductivity (13.5 dS/m) and pH (8) with poor organic carbon (0.3%) as well as nitrogen content (0.008%). The experiments were conducted in a pot house for the period of 240 days. There was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in carbon, phosphate, nitrogen, potassium, magnesium, cation exchange capacity, mean weight diameter and hydraulic conductivity of soil with biofertilizer treatment whereas sodium ion and electrical conductivity were found to be decreased. Improvement in soil aggregation and stability due to increased soil microbial activities (dehydrogenase, invertase and phosphomonoesterase) were also observed. Significant increase in growth and yield of pearl millet–wheat crop was observed in amended pots even under low water regime. Thus, the indigenous cyanobacterial species show promise in effective exploitation for phytoremediation and improved productivity of saline soils under semi-arid condition.

Growth and yield of pearl millet and chickpea as influenced by different sources and doses of organic manure under pearl millet-chickpea cropping system

Growth and yield of pearl millet and chickpea as influenced by different sources and doses of organic manure under pearl millet-chickpea cropping system

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.

English

Pearl millet is potentially prone to diseases as such downy mildew caused by Sclerospora graminicola causing losses in grain yield. Crop improvement technologies such as seed priming and fertilizer micro-dosing have only been applied to improve crop production without assessing their implications in the diseases of crops. This study examines the effects of these technologies on downy mildew of pearl millet. An experiment was conducted for three years (2012, 2013 and 2014) cropping seasons at the University of Maiduguri teaching and research farm. The experiment consisted of four pearl millet varieties Ex-Borno, SOSAT-C88, LCIC 9702 and a local check. Each was subjected to four treatments viz: primed, micro-dosed, primed + micro dosed and untreated (control). These were laid out in split-plot design with three replications. The variety served as the main plot and the treatment served as the sub-plot. Seed priming resulted in significantly higher percentage of stand establishment, reduced downy mildew severity and increased yield. However, plants from micro-dosed seeds suffered lower stand establishment, higher downy mildew incidence and lower yield than in the control seeds. The efficiency of micro-dosing alone increased only when combined with seed priming. SOSAT-C88 had the highest plant stands, the lowest disease incidence and severity, and the highest yield. The interaction of seed treatment (priming and micro-dosing) × variety on yield of pearl millet showed seed priming alone was more effective on the landrace Ex-Borno, while micro-dosing alone was more effective on the improved cultivar SOSAT-C88. Combination of seed priming with micro-dosing gave the highest yield increase in cultivar LCIC 9702. Seed priming remains a potential option for farmers in the semi-arid region of Nigeria. But more studies are needed to determine the precise effect of fertilizer on downy mildew of pearl millet. Key words: Downy mildew, severity, incidence, pearl millet, seed priming, micro-dosing.

Fodder Yield and Quality of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) Genotypes as Influenced by Salinity of Irrigation Water in North Western India

The present study was undertaken to assess the effect of irrigation water salinity and verieties on forage yield and quality of pearl millet in north western India. The experiment was conducted with four main-plot treatments consisting of levels of saline irrigation water i.e. normal (~0.6 dS/m) and 3, 6 and 9 dS/m irrigation water and two sub-plot treatments of pearl millet varieties i.e. AVKB-19 and ICMV-15111. The minimum DM content (15.71 and 16.68%), maximum CP content (9.26 and 7.48%) and (EE) (2.36 and 1.81%) was recorded at 1st cut and 2nd cut, respectively under good quality water. Among the genotypes, at 1st and 2nd cut, the maximum DM content (17.57 and 20.19%) was recorded in cv. ICMV-15111 compared to AVKB-19 (16.47 and 17.36%). In contrast, AVKB-19 recorded higher CP and EE level than ICMV-15111. Application of good quality water increased the DM yield by 23.34 and 13.69% and CP yield by 46.0 and 22.0% over irrigation water of EC 9.0 dS/m at 1st and 2nd cut, respectively. The cv. AVKB-19 gave higher DM (5.67 and 5.09 t/ha) and CP yield (1.42 and 1.25 q/ha) at the 1st and 2nd cut, respectively over ICMV-15111. The cv. AVKB-19 also recorded higher EE yield than ICMV-15111 at 1st cut while the reverse trend was observed at 2nd cut where ICMV-15111 which showed higher (P=0.05) EE yield over AVKB-19. The maximum NDF (66.35 and 70.64%) and ADF (36.50 and 39.89%) content was recorded with EC 9.0 dS/m at 1st and 2nd cut, respectively. The highest carbohydrate content was recorded with 9.0 dS/m EC water irrigation for 1st and 2nd cuts. Therefore, ABKV-19 genotype of pearl millet proved to be superior and might be adapted for getting higher fodder yield with better quality as compare to the ICMV 15111 under saline environment in north-western region of India.

Combining ability analysis for grain yield and quality traits in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.

Combining ability analysis for grain yield and quality traits in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.

Effect of sulphur on yield, nutrient uptake and economics of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) and lentil (Lens culinaris) grown in sequence on an alluvial soil

Effect of sulphur on yield, nutrient uptake and economics of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) and lentil (Lens culinaris) grown in sequence on an alluvial soil

Influence of organic nutrient sources and moisture management on productivity, biofortification and soil health in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) + clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonaloba) intercropping system of semi-arid India

A field experimentation was carried out at New Delhi, India for three years (2010-12) under rainfed semi-arid conditions to assess the effect of three organic nutrient sources and two moisture management practices on productivity, biofortification and soil health under pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. emend Stuntz] + clusterbean [Cyamopsis tetragonaloba (L.) Taub] intercropping system (PCIS). In current study, the pearl millet grain yield under sole pearl millet was at par with PCIS while its stover yield reduced by 5%. Under PCIS, inclusion of clusterbean led to significant reduction in clusterbean yield compared to its sole stand, however, PCIS system productivity was more over their sole crop stands, indicating that additive series of PCIS may bring more net economic gains over their sole stands in semi-arid ecology of India. The coarse cereal-legume interactions under PCIS have also led to improved protein content in pearl millet (11.2%) over its sole stand (10.7%). Zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) deficiency is a common feature in semi-arid India and the crops grown as well. Study revealed that Zn and Fe content in pearl millet were increased by 6.5 and 1.6%, respectively, by the inclusion of clusterbean in PCIS. Plant growth, yield attributes and yield of pearl millet and clusterbean crops showed an improvement under flat sowing + organic mulching (FS+OM) over ridge and furrow sowing (RFS) but the differences were non-significant. Among organic nutrient sources, leaf compost (LC) @ 10 t/ha and FYM @ 10 t/ha produced significantly more system productivity in terms of pearl millet-equivalent-yield (PEY) than 100% RDF and control. Protein content both in pearl millet and clusterbean, and Zn and Fe biofortification in pearl millet grains was higher under FYM treated plots closely followed by LC, and leaf + cowdung mixture compost. Application of organics especially FYM @ 10 t/ha also resulted in improved soil health in terms of bulk density, soil organic carbon and NPK status after three years experimentation.