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Effects of High Soil Surface Temperature on Seedling Survival in Pearl Millet

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 October 2008

J. M. Peacock
Affiliation:
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru PO, Andhra Pradesh, 502 324, India
P. Soman
Affiliation:
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru PO, Andhra Pradesh, 502 324, India
R. Jayachandran
Affiliation:
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru PO, Andhra Pradesh, 502 324, India
A. U. Rani
Affiliation:
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru PO, Andhra Pradesh, 502 324, India
C. J. Howarth*
Affiliation:
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru PO, Andhra Pradesh, 502 324, India
A. Thomas
Affiliation:
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru PO, Andhra Pradesh, 502 324, India
*
§Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Summary

A field technique to screen pearl millet genotypes for their emergence and survival at high soil surface temperatures is described. Genetic variation in seedling emergence and survival is shown and it is argued that this variation is largely due to tolerance of high temperatures rather than tolerance of soil moisture deficit, although some interaction occurred. An index for ‘thermotolerance’ is defined and genotypes are ranked accordingly for this trait, which is shown to be highly heritable. The technique is repeatable and allows a large number of genotypes to be screened at the same time.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1993

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