Abstract
Physiological responses of pearl millet and sorghum to water stress were compared for better understanding of crop adaptation in drylands. Pearl millet (MBH-110) and sorghum (CSH-6) were raised in pots and were subjected to short term water stress at anthesis stage. Water stress decreased leaf water potential, rates of stomatal conductance, photosynthesis and transpirations and transpiration efficiency in flag leaves relatively more in sorghum than in pearl millet. Stomatal conductance and transpiration rates recovered quicker in pearl millet than in sorghum in 24 h after rewatering. Dry season accentuated the water stress effects. Transpiration efficiency of pearl millet was more responsive to increase in atmospheric moisture. The physiological responses explain the better adaptation of pearl millet to drier regions than of sorghum.
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Subramanian, V.B., Maheswari, M. Comparison of physiological responses of pearl millet and sorghum to water stress. Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. 99, 517–522 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03053420
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03053420