Effect of terminal drought on morphological and physiological attributes of pearl millet (<em>Pennisetum glaucum</em> L.)

Abstract

The present investigation was undertaken to study terminal drought tolerance on morphological and physiological characters in seven hybrids of pearl millet viz. GHB-558, GHB-732, HHB-67 improved, HHB-226, MPMH-17, RHB-173 and RHB-177. No irrigation was applied throughout the growth and developmental stages of the crop. The panicle length, panicle weight, grain yield per panicle, test weight, economical yield per plant, biological yield per plant and harvest index were recorded maximum in hybrid RHB-177 as compared to other hybribs. There was a significant variation among the hybrids for all the parameters recorded. Relative water content, membrane stability index and carotenoid content were also the highest in hybrid RHB-177 while chlorophyll content was the highest in RHB-173. On the basis morphological and physiological observations, it is deduced that RHB-177 has higher seed production potential than other hybrids considered to be the best suited. In comparative analysis, Hybrid RHB-177 was also found to be extremely tolerant; RHB-173 and GHB-558 tolerant; GHB-732, HHB-67 improved and HHB-226 moderately tolerant and MPMH-17 susceptible to drought stress.