[Correlation between germination and adult stage under water stress in some Tunisian autochthonous pearl millet ecotypes (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.)].
This study compared the behaviour of six Tunisian autochthonous pearl millet ecotypes collected through the Tunisian territory under drought, from germination to maturity. Moderate water stress was found to improve germination due to better root elongation; it did not have any notable consequence on the yield components of pearl millet. When drought is severe, germination is compromised, radicle and epicotyle lengths decrease, the size of the plant is reduced as well as the surface of its flag sheet, and all the components of yield are penalized. This effect varies according to the ecotype's morphology and its geographical origin. In the same way, we could establish important correlations that show that radicle and epicotyle lengths are related to the final size of the pearl millet plant. All this shows that the study of germination is a scientific tool that can have agronomic repercussions, practical and exploitable.
Radhouane
Leila
L
Institut National Agronomique de Tunis (Inrat), Ariana, Tunisia.
D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D004190:Disasters; D004777:Environment; D018525:Germination / Q000502:physiology*; D031782:Pennisetum / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D012639:Seeds / Q000502:physiology; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000503:physiopathology; D014867:Water / Q000494:pharmacology*
D014867:Water