Influence of drought at anthesis on physiological traits of barnyard millet (Echonochloa frumentacaea L.) genotypes

Abstract

Barnyard millet (Echonochloa frumentacaea) is one of the minor millet and used for multi-purpose which is cultivated for food and fodder. It is a good source of carbohydrate, proteins and minerals which is highly digestible and is an excellent source of dietary fiber with good amount of soluble and insoluble fractions. It is moderately drought resistant crop but changing climate is a major factor for causing the occurrence of water scarcity, which leads to drastic changes in the growth and final yield of the crop. Also the physiological and molecular mechanism of drought tolerance was not yet identified in barnyard millet. The present study was conducted to evaluation of 18 genotypes of barnyard millet to screen the drought tolerance under the pot culture experiment. Drought stress was imposed by withholding of water for ten days during anthesis stage and various physiological traits measures such as, chlorophyll fluorescence, relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll stability index (CSI), soluble protein, photosynthetic rate and nitrate reductase (NR) activity were measured. Among the eighteen barnyard millet genotypes, ESLG– 94, ESD-83, ERP – 100, ESD – 102 and ESLG – 58 were selected as physiologically efficient plants to tolerate drought at anthesis stage. These selected genotypes be used in breeding programme to develop drought tolerant varieties.