Effect of synthetic compounds on growth, physiological traits and yield of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) under heat stress conditions

Abstract

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) is an important cereal crop grown in arid and semi-arid regions of India. High temperature stress during reproductive stages adversely affects crop productivity. A field experiment was conducted during 2025 at the Centre for Millets Research, Deesa to evaluate the effect of synthetic compounds on morpho-physiological traits and yield of pearl millet under heat stress conditions. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with four replications. Three sowing dates were assigned to main plots, namely D1 (second week of February), D2 (first week of March) and D3 (second week of March), while eight foliar spray treatments of synthetic compounds were assigned to subplots. The results revealed that sowing during the first week of March (D2) significantly increased plant height (178.26 cm), leaf area (1000.21 cm² plant⁻¹), dry matter accumulation (14.23 g m⁻²) and SPAD value (61.73). Among foliar spray treatments, application of salicylic acid @100 ppm recorded significantly higher growth parameters and yield attributes including earhead length (25.66 cm), test weight (13.41 g), grain yield (4375 kg ha⁻¹) and stover yield (7526 kg ha⁻¹). The study indicates that optimum sowing time combined with foliar application of salicylic acid improves heat stress tolerance and productivity of pearl millet.