Physiological, biochemical and yield traits of pearl-millet accessions under saline irrigation

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to assess variation in physiological, biochemical and yield attributes, influencing production potential, of 20 pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) accessions (ICFH-1 to 20) under saline irrigation (EC 6.0 dS m-1). Among the twenty accessions, ICFH-15 recorded the highest relative water content (88.38 and 77.99 %), total chlorophyll content (66.75 and 59.87 μg ml-1 FW) and total soluble protein (39.98 and 25.50 mg g-1 DW) at 50 and 80 days after sowing, respectively. However, accession ICFH-4 showed the highest membrane injury (15.73 and 24.33%) at respective stages. ICFH-7 accumulated the maximum proline (2.70 and 5.54 μg g-1 FW), total soluble sugar (20.54 and 20.76 mg g-1 DW), epicuticular wax content (2.85 and 4.44 mg g-1 DW) at the two stages. The maximum dry matter yield was achieved in ICFH-15 (14.83 Mg ha-1) followed by ICFH-16 (13.46 Mg ha-1). Whereas the highest grain yield was recorded in accession ICFH-5 (3.68 Mg ha-1) followed by ICFH-2 and ICFH-7 (3.14 Mg ha-1). Our results suggested that ICFH -15 and ICFH -16 were suitable for dry matter yield (dry fodder purpose) while accessions ICFH-5, ICFH-2 and 7 for higher grain yield under saline irrigation conditions of north-western India and elsewhere under similar agro-climatic conditions.