Agronomic performance of pearl millet genotypes under variable phosphorus, water, and environmental regimesOHalilouauthorYAssefaauthorHFalalouauthorHAbdouauthorB FAchirouauthorS M AKaramiauthorS V KJagadishauthorWater and P deficiency can significantly limit pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.)
R. Br.] productivity and response to N application in the arid and semi-arid regions
of Africa. The objectives of this research were to quantify the responses of improved
pearl millet genotypes and a landrace to contrasting rainfall gradient and P deficient
soil conditions across different locations in Niger. The study was conducted at four
locations: (a) Tara, (b) the Inter national Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid
Tropics (ICRISAT) research station at Sadoré, (c) Maradi, and (d) Araourayé, Niger,
during 2015 and 2016 rainy seasons. Results of the study indicated that the effect
of P fertilizer application on shoot weight, panicle weight, grain yield, and harvest
index was different by environment (year × location). As high as 113% straw yield,
72% panicle weight, and 100% grain yield advantage was obtained with P application
over low P in favorable environments. Across all genotypes and in both P treatments,
irrigation had a consistent effect on the agronomic performance. On average, there
was s ignificantly greater straw yield (629 vs. 492 g m
–2
), panicle weight (472 vs.
229 g m
–2
), grain yield (257 vs. 122 g m
–2
), and harvest index (0.25 vs. 0.15) in the
irrigated site compared with rainfed sites. Among the tested genotypes, Mil de Siaka
showed relatively consistent performance in irrigated, water deficit, and P deficient
conditions, emerging as an ideal candidate for inclusion into pearl millet breeding
programs, aimed toward developing multi-stress tolerant pearl millet varieties.Pearl MilletWater Resources2020-11Soil Science Society of AmericaArticle