Soil moisture depletion pattern and its effect on growth and yield of pearl millet (Penisetum glaucum L.)
Loading...
Date
2020-08
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
CCSHAU,HiSAR
Abstract
The field experiment entitled “Soil moisture depletion pattern and its effect on growth and yield of pearl millet (Penisetum glaucum L.)” was conducted during Kharif season (2019) at research farm of Department of Agricultural Meteorology, CCS HAU, Hisar. The experiment was comprised of three dates of sowing and three varieties and laid out in factorial RBD with four replications. The 30th June sown crop depleted higher amount of water from the deeper soil layers on 49 and 63 DAS which coincide with higher water requirement and lower moisture availability. The early sown crop depleted higher total amount of water as compared to the subsequent sowings and the soil moisture depletion pattern was similar under different sowing dates with varying amount of moisture depletion. Among the different varieties the highest amount of moisture was depleted by HHB-67 Improved and depletion from deeper layers was also higher by this variety showing its drought resistance characteristics. The early sown crop i.e. 30th June experienced lower canopy temperature depression values and the crop enjoyed the most of crop season with no water stress and resulted in superior yields. The grain and stover yields are influenced differently by different weather parameters at different growth phases. The effect of soil moisture depletion on growth and yield was also studied and the percent available soil moisture (PASM) of soil depth up to 60 cm during milking to maturity found positive influence on LAI and plant height of pearl millet. The PASM have significant positive influence on dry matter, grain and stover yield. The crop phase from flag leaf to maturity were more sensitive to soil moisture availability than the early vegetative stage and hence, the availability of soil moisture at reproductive stage determines the growth and development of pearl millet and ultimately the yield than early vegetative stage. At early growth stage (7-14 DAS) yield negatively correlated with soil moisture and thereafter positively. The soil moisture shows high correlation with yield at milking stage.