Effects of Environmental Stress on Growth, Radiation Use Efficiency and Yield of Finger Millet (eleucine Coracana)

Finger millet landraces viz., TZA-01 and TZM-01 were grown in glasshouses under two moisture regimes (fully irrigated and after drought) to investigate the effects of environmental stress on the growth, SPAD measurement, radiation use efficiency and yield of finger millet (Eleucine coracana). The drought treatment was imposed at 28 DAS beyond which no irrigation was applied to the droughted treatment. Growth and development were monitored between 21 DAS and 105 DAS. Soil moisture had an effect on the growth of both the landraces. Drought reduced leaf area, dry matter accumulation, seed weight, radiation use efficiency and yield of finger millet. LAI increased significantly in all the treatment between 28 DAS and 84 DAS, thereafter there was a sharp decline in LAI for TZM-01 under both irrigation and drought. Maximum LAI values (5) in irrigated TZA-01 at 105 DAS and minimum LAI value (2) was recorded in droughted TZA-01 and TZM-01 at 105 DAS. There was a big difference in dry matter production at final harvest between the irrigated and droughted plants. Drought had significant (p<0.009) effect on grain yield of two finger millet landraces. The maximum grain yield (4.88 t ha) was recorded under irrigated TZA01 followed by irrigated TZM-01, where (3.22 t ha) grain yield was recorded. The minimum grain yield (1.92 t ha) was recorded in droughted TZM-01. Biomass was affected significantly (p<0.028) by drought. Maximum radiation use efficiency was recorded as 3.11g MJ of the accumulated intercepted radiation.