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Effect of Drought Stress on Productivity of Trichomeless Pearl Millet
Author(s) -
Burton Glenn W.,
Kvien Craig S.,
Maw Bryan W.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci1988.0011183x002800050018x
Subject(s) - tifton , loam , biology , agronomy , population , pennisetum , randomized block design , ultisol , dry matter , ecology , soil water , demography , sociology
The trichomeless gene, tr , has been shown to modify the cuticle of pearl millet, Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br., and, thus, has the potential to affect drought resistance. Near‐isogenic lines, Tift 23D 2 B 1 tr tr (trichomeless) and Tift 23D 2 B 1 Tr Tr (trichomed), were compared in eight replications of a randomized complete block design on Tifton loamy sand (fine‐loamy, siliceous, thermic Plinthic Paleudult) and Norfolk sand (fine‐loamy, siliceous, thermic Typic Paleudult) in 1982, a season with good rainfall distribution. Trichomeless 23D 2 B 1 outyielded trichomed 23D 2 B 1 25.0% (P < 0.01) on the Norfolk sand but failed to increase forage yield on Tifton loamy sand. Near‐isogenic populations 85D 2 B 1 trichomeless and 85D 2 B 1 trichomed were compared under a rain shelter to create drought stress. In a 2‐yr comparison under the rain shelter, the trichomeless 85D 2 B 1 population produced 13.6% (P < 0.01) more dry matter than the trichomed 85D 2 B 1 population. In the 1986 Tifton loamy sand test that was naturally water stressed by only 290 mm rainfall during the 98‐d test period (74% of the 46‐yr average) the trichomeless 85D 2 B 1 population produced 10.7% (P < 0.01) more dry matter and 23.0% (P < 0.01) more seed heads than the trichomed 85D 2 B 1 population. Thus it appears that the recessive tr gene can be used to increase the yield of pearl millet under drought stress.