ADAPTABILITY OF PROSO MILLET (PANICUM MILLIACEUM) IN MULTAN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Crop production is adversely affected by abiotic stresses caused due to climate change. Abiotic stresses have adverse effects on major cereal crop decreasing the yield and quality of produce. Therefore, diversification in existing cropping system is necessary to feed a nutritional food to increasing population. In this scenario, reviving of climate resilient crops like proso millet (Panicum miliaceum) is a viable option. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the adaptability and yield potential of different proso millet accessions under agro ecological conditions of Multan. Different proso millet accessions were obtained from United States Department of Agriculture. The experiment was conducted at research area of MNS-University of Agriculture, Multan during Kharif season 2018. Seventy accessions were grown manually by hand on ridges with three replications. Data regarding yield related attributes was recorded using standard procedures. Significant variations (51%) were observed among proso millet accessions as depicted by final yield and biomass traits. Thirty accessions produced reasonable biomass as well as seed yield as reported in international reports. Maximum grain yield per plant was observed in accession P36 (16 g) and minimum grain yield was observed in accession P53 (0.3g). In addition, maturity period of prosos millet ranged between 48-75 days. So, this crop can be adjusted in any cropping pattern due to its short season. Proso millet can be used to overcome food security in future in marginal areas.