Improvement Of Drought Resistance In Pearl Millet

Abstract

Pearl millet is grown almost exclusively in arid and semiarid
\ntropical areas characterized by high growing seafon temperatures,
\nlow and frequently erratic rainfall, and shallow or sandy
\nsoils. Inadequate moisture is the major limitation to production
\nin most of the areas. The crop appears to adapt to these conditions
\nby a combination of short-duration important developmental
\nperiods and considerable development plasticity to maximize its
\nuse of short periods of favorable moisture. Little is known of its
\npossible physiological adaptations to stress, although the limited
\ninformation available suggests a significant heat tolerance.