Variations in drought tolerance components and their association with yield components in finger millet (Eleusine coracana)
Harvinder S. Talwar A B , Shiwesh Kumar A , Ragimasalawada Madhusudhana A , Ganapathy K. Nanaiah A , Swarna Ronanki A and Vilas A. Tonapi AA ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad 500030 Telangana, India.
B Corresponding author. Email: talwar@millets.res.in
Functional Plant Biology 47(7) 659-674 https://doi.org/10.1071/FP19274
Submitted: 26 September 2019 Accepted: 20 February 2020 Published: 6 May 2020
Abstract
Finger millet has gained considerable attention worldwide due to its nutritional and health benefits. Being a rainfed crop of semiarid and arid regions, drought is one of the major constraints to its yield stabilisation. To address this, a set of 38 accessions of finger millet were evaluated in both field and mini-lysimeters under both well-watered (WW) and water-stressed (WS) conditions. The objectives of the study were to identify the range of variations for yield components, water-use (WU) and transpiration efficiency (TE) and to examine the potential of the mini-lysimeter system in assessing the genotypic performance in the field conditions. Approximately 2-fold variations in shoot biomass and ~9-fold variations in grain yield under WS conditions were observed. Reproductive growth was more sensitive to WS than the vegetative growth. Our results indicate that in addition to yield potential under WW conditions, WU followed by TE were the other two major contributors toward shoot biomass, whereas, HI followed by TE were the major contributors toward grain yield under WS. The close association between the yield components recorded in the field and in mini-lysimeters suggests that the lysimetric system has the great potential to reflect the genotypic performance under field conditions. Regression analyses suggest that HI explained almost all the variations in grain yield under WW conditions, whereas under WS treatment, next to HI, both TE and WU had also contributed significantly to grain yield. The absence of interrelationship between WU and TE suggests that both these components contribute independently toward the yield components under WW or WS conditions. The accessions with higher shoot biomass and grain yield extract much more water during the post-anthesis stages than the poor performers under WS. Results also suggests that higher WU contributed more towards shoot biomass and higher TE contributed more towards grain yield by improving the harvest index.
Additional keywords: grain yield, mini-lysimeter, shoot biomass, transpiration efficiency, water extraction ability, water use.
References
Bhan S, Singh HG, Singh A (1973) Note on root development as an index of drought resistance in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench). Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences 43, 828–830.Blum A (2005) Drought resistance, water-use efficiency, and yield potential: are they compatible, dissonant, or mutually exclusive? Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 56, 1159–1168.
| Drought resistance, water-use efficiency, and yield potential: are they compatible, dissonant, or mutually exclusive?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Blum A, Jordan WR, Arkin GF (1977) Sorghum root morphogenesis and growth. II. Manifestation of heterosis. Crop Science 17, 149–153.
| Sorghum root morphogenesis and growth. II. Manifestation of heterosis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chandrashekhar H, Gowda J, Jayashree U (2012) Formation of core set in Indian and African finger millet (Eleusine coracana [L.] Gaertn.) germplasm accessions. Indian Journal of Genetics 72, 358–363.
Chethan S, Malleshi NG (2007) Finger millet polyphenols: Characterization and their nutraceutical potential. American Journal of Food Technology 2, 582–592.
| Finger millet polyphenols: Characterization and their nutraceutical potential.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
de Wet JMJ (2006). Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn (Online record from Protabase.) In: PROTA. Plant resources of tropical Africa. Available at https://www.feedipedia.org/node/14446 [verified 1 May 2020]
Dinesh Kumar SP, Sashidhar VR, Prasad TG, Udayakumar M, Seetharam A (1987) Solute accumulation, solute potential, germinability and seedling vigour of seeds of finger millet (Eleusine coracana Gaertn.) raised under rain-fed conditions and under irrigation. Plant, Cell & Environment 10, 661–665.
| Solute accumulation, solute potential, germinability and seedling vigour of seeds of finger millet (Eleusine coracana Gaertn.) raised under rain-fed conditions and under irrigation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Doorenbos J, Kassam AH (1979) Yield response to water. FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 33, 193
FAO (2012) Grassland index. In ‘A searchable catalogue of grass and forage legumes’. (FAO: Rome, Italy)
Government of India (2017) Area, production and productivity of finger millet in India. In ‘Agricultural statistical year book India 2017’. (Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare: New Delhi, India)
Guarino L (2012) Global strategy for the ex situ conservation of finger millet and its wild relatives. In ‘Global Crop Diversity Trust’. pp. 1–71. (International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT): Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh, India)
Gull A, Jan R, Nayik GA, Prasad K, Kumar P (2014) Significance of finger millet in nutrition, health and value-added products: a review. Journal of Environmental Science. Computer Science and Engineering & Technology 3, 1601–1608.
Gupta SM, Arora S, Mirza N, Pande A, Lata C, Puranik S, Kumar J, Kumar A (2017) Finger millet: a ‘certain’ crop for an ‘uncertain’ future and a solution to food insecurity and hidden hunger under stressful environments. Frontiers of Plant Science 8, 643–651.
| Finger millet: a ‘certain’ crop for an ‘uncertain’ future and a solution to food insecurity and hidden hunger under stressful environments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hema R, Vemanna RS, Sreeramulu S, Reddy CP, Senthil-Kumar M, Udayakumar M (2014) Stable expression of mtlD gene imparts multiple stress tolerance in finger millet. PLoS One 9, e99110
| Stable expression of mtlD gene imparts multiple stress tolerance in finger millet.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24922513PubMed |
Jordan WR, Miller FR, Morris DE (1979) Genetic variation in root and shoot growth of sorghum in hydroponics. Crop Science 19, 468–472.
| Genetic variation in root and shoot growth of sorghum in hydroponics.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kato Y, Kamoshita A, Yamagishi J (2008) Pre-flowering abortion reduces spikelet number in upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) under water stress. Crop Science 48, 2389–2395.
| Pre-flowering abortion reduces spikelet number in upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) under water stress.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kirkegaard JA, Lilley JM, Howe GN, Graham JM (2007) Impact of subsoil water use on wheat yield. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 58, 303–315.
| Impact of subsoil water use on wheat yield.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Krishna KR (2010). Finger millet cropping zones of south India. In ‘Agroecosystems of South India: nutrient dynamics, ecology and productivity’. (Ed. KR Krishna) pp. 279–312. (Brown Walker Press: Boca Raton, FL, USA)
Krishnamurthy L, Upadhyaya HD, Kashiwagi J, Purushothaman R, Dwivedi SL, Vadez V (2016a) Variation in drought tolerance components and their interrelationships in the mini-core collection of finger millet germplasm. Crop Science 56, 1914–1926.
| Variation in drought tolerance components and their interrelationships in the mini-core collection of finger millet germplasm.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Krishnamurthy L, Upadhyaya HD, Kashiwagi J, Purushothaman R, Dwivedi SL, Vadez V (2016b) Variation in drought tolerance components and their interrelationships in the core collection of foxtail millet germplasm. Crop and Pasture Science 67, 834–846.
| Variation in drought tolerance components and their interrelationships in the core collection of foxtail millet germplasm.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Krishnasastry KS, Udayakumar M, Viswanath HR (1982). Desirable plant characteristics in genotypes of finger millet (Eleusine coracana Gaertn) for rainfed conditions. In ‘Proceedings of the Indian National Science Academy, B. 48’. pp. 264–270. (University Agricultural Sciences: Bangalore, India)
Kumar K, Metwal A, Kaur M, Gupta S, Puranik AK, Singh S, Gupta S, Babu BK, Sood S, Yadav R (2016) Nutraceutical value of finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.), and their improvement using omics approaches. Frontiers of Plant Science 7, 934–947.
| Nutraceutical value of finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.), and their improvement using omics approaches.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lakshmi Kumari P, Sumathi S (2002) Effect of consumption of finger millet on hyperglycemia in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) subjects. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition 57, 205–213.
| Effect of consumption of finger millet on hyperglycemia in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) subjects.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 12602929PubMed |
Latha AM, Rao KV, Reddy VD (2005) Production of transgenic plants resistant to leaf blast disease in finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.). Plant Science 169, 657–667.
| Production of transgenic plants resistant to leaf blast disease in finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ludlow MM, Muchow RC (1990) A critical evaluation of traits for improving crop yields in water-limited environments. Advances in Agronomy 43, 107–153.
| A critical evaluation of traits for improving crop yields in water-limited environments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Manschadi AM, Christopher J, deVoil P, Hammer GL (2006) The role of root architectural traits in adaptation of wheat to water-limited environments. Functional Plant Biology 33, 823–837.
| The role of root architectural traits in adaptation of wheat to water-limited environments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mayaki WC, Stone LR, Teare ID (1976) Irrigated and non-irrigated soybean, corn, and grain sorghum root systems. Agronomy Journal 68, 532–534.
| Irrigated and non-irrigated soybean, corn, and grain sorghum root systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Merah O (2001) Potential importance of water status traits for durum wheat improvement under Mediterranean conditions. The Journal of Agricultural Science 137, 139–145.
| Potential importance of water status traits for durum wheat improvement under Mediterranean conditions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
O’Toole JC (1982). Adaptation of rice to drought-prone environments. In ‘Drought resistance in crops with emphasis on rice’. pp. 195–213. (International Rice Research Institute Los Baños: Manila, Philippines)
Passioura JB (1977) Grain yield, harvest index and water use of wheat. Journal of the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science 43, 117–121.
Peng S, Krieg DR (1992) Gas exchange traits and their relationship to water use efficiency. Crop Science 32, 386–391.
| Gas exchange traits and their relationship to water use efficiency.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Quattrocchi U (2006) ‘CRC world dictionary of grasses: common names, scientific names, eponyms, synonyms, and etymology.’ (CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group: Boca Raton, FL, USA)
Ratnakumar P, Vadez V, Nigam SN, Krishnamurthy L (2009) Assessment of transpiration efficiency in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) under drought by lysimetric system. Plant Biology 11, 124–130.
| Assessment of transpiration efficiency in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) under drought by lysimetric system.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 19778376PubMed |
Salih AA, Ali IA, Lux A, Luxova M, Cohen Y, Sugimoto Y, Inanga S (1999) Rooting, water uptake, and xylem structure adaptation to drought of two sorghum cultivars. Crop Science 39, 168–173.
| Rooting, water uptake, and xylem structure adaptation to drought of two sorghum cultivars.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Singh V, van Oosterom EJ, Jordan DR, Messina CD, Cooper M, Hammer GL (2010) Morphological and architectural development of root systems in sorghum and maize. Plant and Soil 333, 287–299.
| Morphological and architectural development of root systems in sorghum and maize.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Udayakumar M, Sashadhar VR, Prasad TG (1986). Physiological approaches for improving productivity of Finger millet under rainfed conditions. In ‘Small millets in global agriculture. Proceedings of the 1st international small millets workshop, Bangalore’. (Ed. A Seetharam, KB Riley, G Harinarayana). pp. 179–207. (Oxford and IBH Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd: New Delhi, India)
Upadhyaya HD, Sarma NDRK, Ravishankar CR, Albrecht T, Narasimhudu Y, Singh SK, Varshney SK, Reddy VG, Singh S, Dwivedi SL, Wanyera N, Oduori COA, Mgonja MA, Kisandu DB, Parzies HK, Gowda CLL (2010) Developing a mini‐core collection in finger millet using multilocation data. Crop Science 50, 1924–1931.
| Developing a mini‐core collection in finger millet using multilocation data.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Urrea CA, Yonts CD, Lyon DJ, Koehler AE (2009) Selection for drought tolerance in dry bean derived from the Mesoamerican gene pool in Western Nebraska. Crop Science 49, 2005–2010.
| Selection for drought tolerance in dry bean derived from the Mesoamerican gene pool in Western Nebraska.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Vadez V, Krishnamurthy L, Gaur PM, Upadhyaya HD, Hoisington DA, Varshney RK, Turner NC, Siddique KHM (2007) Large variation in salinity tolerance is explained by differences in the sensitivity of reproductive stages in chickpea. Field Crops Research 104, 123–129.
| Large variation in salinity tolerance is explained by differences in the sensitivity of reproductive stages in chickpea.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Vadez V, Rao S, Kholova J, Krishnamurthy L, Kashiwagi J, Ratnakumar P, Sharma KK, Bhatnagar-Mathur P, Basu PS (2008) Roots research for legume tolerance to drought: quo vadis? Indian Journal of Pulses Research 21, 77–85.
Vadez V, Krishnamurthy L, Hash CT, Upadhyaya HD, Borrell AK (2011) Yield, transpiration efficiency, and water-use variations and their interrelationships in the sorghum reference collection. Crop and Pasture Science 62, 645–655.
| Yield, transpiration efficiency, and water-use variations and their interrelationships in the sorghum reference collection.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Vadez V, Kholova J, Zaman-Allah M, Belko N (2013) Water: the most important ‘molecular’ component of water stress tolerance research. Functional Plant Biology 40, 1310–1322.
| Water: the most important ‘molecular’ component of water stress tolerance research.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zhang W, Zhi H, Liu B, Xie J, Li J, Li W, Jia G, Wang Y, Li H, Chai Y, Li Y, Diao X (2012) Screening of indexes for drought tolerance test at booting stage in foxtail millet. Plant Genetic Resources 13, 765–772.