Screening of Pearl Millet Genotypes for High Temperature and Drought Tolerance Based on Morpho-Physiological Characters

Aims: Screening of pearl millet genotypes lines for high temperature and drought tolerance.

Study Design: Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications.

Place and Duration of Study: ICAR-AICRP on Pearl Millet, Mandor during summer 2017-18.

Methodology: Fifteen genotypes (J-2290, J-2340, J-2479, J-2500, J-2503, J-2507, J-2517, J-2534, JMSB-9904, JMSB-101, JMSB-20064, JMSB-20102, JMSB-20071, JMSB-20082 and JMSB-20091) of pearl millet received from Main Pearl millet Research Station, Junagadh Agricultural University, Jamnagar were evaluated during summer season of 2017-18 at research Farm of ACIRP on pearl millet, Mandor, Agricultural University, Jodhpur under terminal moisture stress and irrigated conditions in two sets of randomized block design with three replications. Grain yield, stover yield, Relative Water Content (RWC), harvest index, threshing percentage and chlorophyll content were recorded.

Results: The suitability of the genotypes was judged in terms of grain yield, stover yield, RWC, harvest index, threshing percentage and chlorophyll content. The results showed that due to the terminal stress, the mean performance of all yield attributing characters including grain yield and chlorophyll, RWC and seed setting was reduced. The inbreds J-2479, J-2503 and J-2507 were high yielders due to high seed setting percentage under terminal stress conditions.

Conclusion: The lines viz., J-2479, J-2503 and J-2507 can be used for further breeding programme to develop varieties suitable under high temperature and low moisture conditions.