Integrating Genotype by Environment Interaction Analysis, Characterization of Drought Patterns, and Farmer Preferences to Identify Adaptive Plant Traits for Pearl Millet

    Oosterom, E J Van and Whitaker, M L and Weltzien, E (1996) Integrating Genotype by Environment Interaction Analysis, Characterization of Drought Patterns, and Farmer Preferences to Identify Adaptive Plant Traits for Pearl Millet. In: Plant Adaptation and Crop Improvement. CAB Inernational, Wallingford, Oxon, UK, pp. 383-402. ISBN 0851991084

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    Abstract

    The efficiency of crop improvement for variable stress environments can be enhanced if adaptive plant traits (morpho-physiological and developmental) can be identified. The desirability of a plant trait in an environment depends on the expected patterns of drought stress, the attitude of farmers towards risk, and on the specific requirements of the local farming system. The aim of this chapter is to identify plant traits for pearl millet that enhance adaptation to the harsh environments of Rajasthan (India), by combining analyses of drought patterns, genotype by environment (GxE) interactions, and farmers' preferences for plant traits. For environments covering the range of rainfall regimes in Rajasthan, we identified drought patterns by estimating plant-available soil water from long-term rainfall data. Environmental and genotypic causes of the GxE interactions were obtained from a multi-environment trial. Village studies provided information on farmers' responses to rainfall patterns and their preference for plant traits. A decline in rainfall in Rajasthan from east to west was associated with a shorter rainy season and increased, more unpredictable, occurrence of drought stress. The GxE interaction showed that phenology was an effective escape mechanism under terminal drought, but that developmental plasticity is required if the dress occurrence is unpredictable. Early flowering of pearl millet was of interest to many farmers across Rajasthan, but the preferred yield component ranged from a large panicle size in wet areas to high tillering (plasticity) in drier areas. This indicates the need for contrasting plant types across rainfall regimes. High tillering was said to improve the fodder value and to stabilize yield in dry seasons. This perception of risk avoidance in dry years was also evident in the practice of replacing pearl millet by a long-duration fodder legume and a short-duration dual-purpose legume for late plantings when drought is expected. Short-duration pearl millet varieties may provide farmers with more opportunities to adjust to the variability in the onset of the rains.

    Item Type: Book Section
    Divisions: UNSPECIFIED
    CRP: UNSPECIFIED
    Subjects: Mandate crops > Millets
    Depositing User: Library ICRISAT
    Date Deposited: 18 Dec 2011 13:17
    Last Modified: 01 Jan 2014 09:28
    URI: http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/4730
    Acknowledgement: UNSPECIFIED
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