OAR@ICRISATThe influence of extended vegetative development and d2 dwarfing gene in increasing grain number per panicle and grain yield in pearl milletGAlagarswamyauthorF RBidingerauthorAs in other cereals, grain yield in pearl millet is directly related to grain number m−2. Hence, an attempt was made to increase grain numbers by (1) increasing the length of vegetative period (to increase potential grain number per panicle and increase leaf area and light interception before flowering) by using a non-inductive long photoperiod during the early stages of crop growth, and (2) using a dwarfing gene to vary assimilate partitioning between panicle and stem prior to flowering. Extended day length delayed panicle initiation (PI) and flowering and increased leaf area index and assimilate production. Time to flowering was directly related to assimilate allocation to individual panicles, and to grain number per panicle. Delayed PI, however, reduced panicle numbers. Dwarf hybrids partitioned more assimilates to panicles and less to stems, which was also associated with more grains per panicle. The increase in grain number per panicle was offset by decrease in panicles per plant so that neither longer vegetative stage nor dwarfing gene caused in increase in grain yield. With increase in grain numbers per panicle in the dwarfs, grain density (grains cm−2 surface area of panicle) also increased resulting in the dwarf hybrids producing smaller grains and failing to benefit from the increased grain numbers per ear.Millets1985ElsevierArticle

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