Thermal unities and yield of pearl millet genotypes sown in two seasons

Abstract

The aim of this work was to evaluate the accumulation of thermal unities (TU) and biomass on pearl millet genotypes sown in rainy and dry seasons, without fertilization or irrigation, in a randomized complete block design. In the rainy season, the BRS 1501 cycle was 76 days, requiring 1,239 TU, while ENA 1 had a cycle of 82 days, with 1,325 TU, both with the same biomass and grain yield. The genotype Souna III accumulated 1,352 TU; its biomass yield was the highest. At flowering, in the rainy season, BRS 1501 accumulated 517 TU, with the lowest biomass, while ENA 1 accumulated 545 TU and higher biomass. At the dry season, BRS 1501 showed a cycle of 80 days, requiring 1,123 TU, while ENA 1 had a cycle of 76 days, with 1,074 TU, with no significant difference for biomass and grain yield. At flowering, in this season, ENA 1 and BRS 1501 accumulated 447 TU and 461 TU, respectively, and there was no significant difference for biomass. The genotype ENA 1 can be used for biomass production for minimal tillering cultivation, and BRS 1501, for biomass and grain production, especially in the dry season.