HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Burton, G. W. Articles by Maw, B. W. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Burton, G. W. Articles by Maw, B. W. Agricola Articles by Burton, G. W. Articles by Maw, B. W.

Effect of Drought Stress on Productivity of Trichomeless Pearl Millet

USDA-ARS, Agronomy Dep.
Agronomy Dep.
Ag Engineering Dep.; Univ. Georgia, College of Agric. Exp. Stn., Coastal Plain Exp. Stn., Tifton, GA 31793

^* Corresponding author.

The trichomeless gene, tr, has been shown to modify the cuticle of pearl millet, Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br., and, thus, has the potential to affect drought resistance. Near-isogenic lines, Tift 23D₂B₁ tr tr (trichomeless) and Tift 23D₂B₁ Tr Tr (trichomed), were compared in eight replications of a randomized complete block design on Tifton loamy sand (fine-loamy, siliceous, thermic Plinthic Paleudult) and Norfolk sand (fine-loamy, siliceous, thermic Typic Paleudult) in 1982, a season with good rainfall distribution. Trichomeless 23D₂B₁ outyielded trichomed 23D₂B₁ 25.0% (P < 0.01) on the Norfolk sand but failed to increase forage yield on Tifton loamy sand. Near-isogenic populations 85D₂B₁ trichomeless and 85D₂B₁ trichomed were compared under a rain shelter to create drought stress. In a 2-yr comparison under the rain shelter, the trichomeless 85D₂B₁ population produced 13.6% (P < 0.01) more dry matter than the trichomed 85D₂B₁ population. In the 1986 Tifton loamy sand test that was naturally water stressed by only 290 mm rainfall during the 98-d test period (74% of the 46-yr average) the trichomeless 85D₂B₁ population produced 10.7% (P < 0.01) more dry matter and 23.0% (P < 0.01) more seed heads than the trichomed 85D₂B₁ population. Thus it appears that the recessive tr gene can be used to increase the yield of pearl millet under drought stress.

Received for publication November 16, 1987.