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RESPONSE OF KHARIF PEARL MILLET CULTIVARS TO DIFFERENT SOWING

WINDOWS

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 Contemporary Research in India (ISSN 2231-2137): UGC Approved Journal No. 62441 - NAAS Score 2017: 3.23

RESPONSE OF KHARIF PEARL MILLET CULTIVARS TO

DIFFERENT SOWING WINDOWS
Wankhede S. Y., Jadhav, J. D., Pawar, P. B., Kharbade, S. B. and
Shaikh, A. A.

Abstract: The present invitation entitled “Studies on effect of kharif pearl millet (Pennisetumglaucum L.) cultivars on yield
attributes under different sowing windows” was carried out during kharif , 2015 at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Solapur,
Maharashtra State (India).The experiment was conducted in split plot design with three replications. Nine treatment combinations
were formed considering different cultivars viz., V1Shanti (RHRBH-9808),V2Mahyco Hybrid (MRB-204) and V3Dhanashakti
(ICTP-8203) and sowing windows viz., (S1) 26th MW (26th June – 01st July), (S2)- 30th MW (23rd July – 29th July) S3 – 34th
MW (20th Aug - 26th Aug). Among the three pearl millet cultivars, Shanti recorded significantly higher length of ear head (20.15
cm), girth of earhead (10.06cm), weight of earhead(32.35g), grain weight earhead-1 (23.59g) and 1000 grain weight (13.30g), days to
50 % flowering(61.59), days to maturity(95) and dry matter plant-1(52.11g).
Keywords: Kharif pearl millet, sowing windows, yield attributes, cultivars.

Pearl millet (Pennisetumglaucum[L.] R. Br.)
formerly known as (P. americanum[L] Leeke) is a
variety of the millet family also known as pearl,
bulrush, spiked or cat-tail millet. It is the staple food
for drier parts of India, particularly the arid and semi-
arid regions of India. It is generally grown under
rainfedconditions in arid and semi-arid regions of the
world.
In India, pearl millet is primary source of
dietary energy (360 K cal/kg) for rural population
also a rich source of protein, calcium, phosphorous
and iron. Pearl millet grain contains fairly high
'amount of thiamine, riboflavin and niacin.
Pearl millet grain are also used as a food for
poultry and green fodder or dry kadbi for cattle. Pearl
millet straw is an important commodity and is used
by farmers as a building material and source of fuel.
It is higher than sorghum in nutritive value but
inferior in feeding value. Pearl millet grain contains
about 12.4% moisture, 11.6% protein, 5% fat, 67%
carbohydrates and about 2.7% minerals. Pearl millet
is also used as poultry feed and green fodder for
cattle. It is often referred as “The poor man’s food”.
Today millet is a staple food for more than 500
million people. Area under pearl millet is estimated as
15 Mha annually in Africa and 14 Mha in Asia.
Special Issue: National Seminar “Recent Trends in Plant Sciences and Agricultural Research (PSAR- Jan., 2018)
Global production exceeds 10 MT a year. Pearl millet
ranks third after wheat and rice in area in India.
Pearl millet, which accounts for about two-
thirds of India's millet production, is grown in the
drier areas of the country, mainly in the states of
Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and
Haryana (FAO, 1996).
Sowing time dictates to a large degree how tall
the plants will get and the potential impact of certain
insects and diseases on the crop. It also determines
the size of the root system, which in turn determines
how much stored water the plant can utilize. Sowing
time is the most important non-monetary input
affecting yields of crop. Time of sowing varies with
the variety, agro climatic conditions and crop growing
season. In fact, proper planting date is important for
maximizing cereal grain yields (Witt, 1996) because
optimum seeding dates establish healthy and vigorous
plants. A significant reduction in grain yield is
associated with delayed seeding for a wide range of
climatic conditions (Knapp and Knapp, 1978,
Dahlkeet al. 1993). Lawn et al. (1993) found that
differences in development of cereals sown at
different times may be explained by considering an
optimum temperature. Planting time
recommendations for pearl millet and grain sorghum
are commonly made based on calendar day (day of
242
 Contemporary Research in India (ISSN 2231-2137): UGC Approved Journal No. 62441 - NAAS Score 2017: 3.23
the year) and/or soil temperature (Mick 1997 and and sowing windows viz. (S1) 26th MW (26th June –
Andrews et. al. 1998).It was reported that the drastic 01st July), (S2)- 30th MW (23rd July – 29th July) S3 –
reduction in yield under delayed sowing(Ramsheet 34th MW (20th Aug – 26th Aug).
al.1986). The soil comes under the vertisol (medium
It was stated that drought escape is a major black) medium black and clayey loam in texture and
mechanism in pearl millet, determining relative slightly alkaline (pH-7.4) in nature and having the
cultivar performance in individual stress uniform depth up to 90 cm.The altitude is about
environments, (Bidingeret al, 1982) 483.6 M above mean sea level. The highest
In order to bring out country as a whole to a temperature ever recorded was 46 0 C in May during
level on which other countries as standing as far as 1988. The monsoon lasts from June to the end of
agricultural production is concerned, it is very September, with moderate rainfall. It has an average
essential to emphasize on such aspects. Some of the rainfall of about of 545 mm per year. The annual
basic principle of factor contributing towards the maximum and minimum temperature ranged between
increase in per hectare yield of pearl millet crops as 25.0 to 43.20C and 7.3 to 27.10 C, respectively. During
suitable cultivars with required heritable potentiality, the kharif season, the maximum temperature ranged
proper sowing times and prevalence of congenial between 29.0 to 40.80C with an average of 34.70C,
weather conditions. Even in photo and thermo whereas, the minimum temperature ranged between
insensitive crop, it is critical input for higher yield. 18.0 to 26.20C. The pan evaporation ranged between
Climatechange may be a change in the mean of 1.8 to 12.8 mm with an average of 7.4 mm. The wind
the various climatic parameters such as temperature, speed ranged between 2.1 to 18.3 kmph with an
precipitation, relative humidity and composition of average of 9.7 kmph. In case of BSS which was
various at mosphericgases etc. and its properties ranged between 0.0 to 12.1 hrs with an average of 5.2
overalonger period of time andalarger geographical hrs. The morning RH ranged between 67 to 98 per
area. It canalso bereferred asany change in climate cent with an average of 80 per cent and the afternoon
overtime, whe ther due to natural variability or as RH ranged between 24 to 95 per cent during the crop
result of human activity. growing period.
Material and Methods The basal dose of fertilizer i.e. 50 kg N+25 kg
The present invitation entitled “Studies on P2O5 ha-1 was applied through urea and single super
effect of kharif pearl millet (Pennisetumglaucum L.) phosphate. However, 25 kg N and 25 kg P2O5 ha-1
cultivars on yield attributes under different sowing was applied as a basal dose and remaining 25 kg N ha-
windows” was carried during kharif , 2015 at Zonal 1 was applied at 30 DAS.
Agricultural Research Station, Solapur, Maharashtra The gross and net plot sizes were 15.0 x 6.3
State (India).The experiment was conducted in split m and10.0 x 4.5 m2, respectively. All the cultivars are
2

plot design with three replications. Nine treatment were dibbled as per different sowing windows
combinations were formed considering different ataspacing of45cm x20cm, during Kharif, 2015.
cultivars viz. V1Shanti (RHRBH-9808), V2Mahyco Thesoil was clayeyloamin texture and acidicin
Hybrid (MRB-204) and V3Dhanashakti (ICTP-8203) reaction(pH7.4)
Table 1: Meanyield contributing charactersas influenced by different treatments
Yield contributing characters
Treatments Length of ear Girth of Weight of Grain weight 1000 grain
head (cm) Earhead(cm) earhead (g) earhead-1 (g) Weight (g)
A. Sowing windows
S1 26 MW (26th June – 01st July) 19.15 8.62 27.42 21.61 9.31
S2 30 MW (23rd July – 29th July) 19.77 10.52 31.02 22.92 12.18
S3 34 MW (20th Aug – 26th Aug) 18.47 9.49 28.66 21.56 10.38
S.Em± 0.48 0.08 0.31 0.12 0.1
Special Issue: National Seminar “Recent Trends in Plant Sciences and Agricultural Research (PSAR- Jan., 2018) 243
 Contemporary Research in India (ISSN 2231-2137): UGC Approved Journal No. 62441 - NAAS Score 2017: 3.23
C.D. at 5% NS 0.31 1.23 0.48 0.4
B. Cultivars
V1 Shanti (RHRBH-9808) 20.15 10.06 32.35 23.59 13.30
V2 Mahyco hybrid (MRB-204) 18.72 9.52 29.00 21.29 9.54
V3 Dhanashakti (ICTP-8203) 18.50 9.05 25.75 20.20 8.59
S.Em± 0.31 0.14 0.27 0.15 0.1
C.D. at 5% 0.95 0.44 0.83 0.47 0.4
C . Interaction
S.Em± 0.53 0.25 0.47 0.26 0.2
C.D. at 5% NS NS NS NS 0.76
General mean 19.13 9.54 29.03 22.30 10.56

Table 2: Mean number of days to 50 % flowering, days tomaturity and dry matter plant-1as influenced by
different treatments
Treatments Days to 50 % flowering Days to maturity Dry matter plant-1at harvest
Sowing Window
S1 26 MW (26th June – 01stJuly) 60.14 88.2 46.18
S2 30 MW (23rd July – 29thJuly) 57.88 95.1 51.13
S3 34 MW (20th Aug – 26th Aug) 56.23 81.3 42.01
S.Em± 0.37 0.36 0.29
C.D. at 5% 1.46 1.23 1.16
Cultivars
V1 Shanti (RHRBH-9808) 61.59 95.0 52.11
V2 Mahyco hybrid(MRB-204) 57.49 89.2 45.92
V3 Dhanashakti(ICTP-8203) 55.18 80.1 41.29
S.Em± 0.53 0.38 0.35
C.D. at 5% 1.65 1.48 1.09
Interaction
S.Em± 0.93 0.31 0.61
C.D. at 5% NS NS NS
General mean 58.09 88.6 46.44
*Significantat5%level
**Significantat1%level

Results and Discussion days to maturity and dry matter accumulation plant-
ThedatapresentedinTable1 revealedthat the 1(g)were 58.09 days , 88 days and 46.44, respectively.

important yield contributing characters viz., earhead Effect of sowing windows

length and girth, earhead weight plant-1, grain weight
earhead-1 and 1000 grain weight are presented in Table
1.
The mean values of important yield
contributing characters viz., earhead length and girth,
earheadweight plant-1, grain weight earhead-1 and 1000
grain weight were 19.13 cm, 9.54 cm, 29.03 g, 22.30 g
and 10.56 g during the crop growingseason, respectively
(Table 1).
ThedatapresentedinTable1revealedthat the
important yield contributing characters viz., days to 50%
flowering, days to maturity and dry matter accumulation
plant-1
The mean values of important yield
contributing characterws viz., days to 50% flowering,
Special Issue: National Seminar “Recent Trends in Plant Sciences and Agricultural Research (PSAR- Jan., 2018) 244
The important yield contributing characters viz.,
earhead length and girth, earhead weight plant-1, grain
weight earhead-1 and 1000 grain weight were
significantly increased when crop was sown in 30th MW
followed by sowing of crop during 34thand 26th MW
during the period of experimentation.
The crop sown in 30th MW exposed to
congenial microclimate viz., significantly more
absorption of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR)
resulted in higher light use efficiency (LUE) ultimately
increasing photosynthetic rate and significant
improvement in important growth attributes viz., plant
height, number of effective tillers, leaf area and dry
matter production plant-1. Whereas, adverse situation
of all these parameters were experienced by delayed
 Contemporary Research in India (ISSN 2231-2137): UGC Approved Journal No. 62441 - NAAS Score 2017: 3.23
sown crop in 34th and early sowing 26th MW resulted in
decreased values of these yield contributing
characters.Similar findings were reported by Kaushik
and Gautam (1984), (Siddiget.al. 2013) and (Maiti and
Soto, 1990).
The days to 50 per cent flowering and days to
maturity were significantly decreased with delay in
sowing on 34th MW during the period of
experimentation.because delayed sown crop exposed to
higher temperatures particularly during different active
crop growth period and grain development stage
resulted in shortening growing period.
Effect of cultivar
Important yield contributing characters earhead
length and girth, earhead weight plant-1, grain weight
earhead-1 and 1000 grain weight significantly the highest
in the Shanti cultivarfollowed by Mahyco hybrid and
Dhanashakti during the period of experimentation.
The important growth attributes viz., plant
height, number of effective tillers, leaf area and dry
matter production plant-1 resulted in significant
improvement in yield contributing characters in Shanti
cultivar. However, the Mahyco hybrid and Dhanashakti
cultivar exposed to moisture stress conditions
resultedin important growth attributes viz., plant height,
number of effective tillers, leaf area and dry matter
production plant-1 thus, decreased important yield
contributing characters. The result were collaborated
with finding of Bashiret. al. 2014 and Uzomaet. al. 2010.
Effect of interaction
Important yield contributing characters viz.,
earhead length and girth, earhead weight plant-1, grain
weight earhead-1 and 1000 grain weight were not
significantly influenced due to interaction effects
between different sowing windows and cultivar during
the period of experimentation.

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