Yield and growth responses of autochthonous pearl millet ecotype (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) under saline water irrigation in tunisia

Abstract

Saline water use is one way of water saving in water-scarce regions. It allows preserving drinking water for other uses. In Tunisia, pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) is mainly cultivated under irrigation in the arid and saline areas. Therefore, it is essential to make selection of salt-tolerant genotypes. It offers a scope for understanding the traits related to tolerance and to integrate these tolerant crop species/genotypes into appropriate management programmes to improve the productivity of the saline soils. Identifying autochthonous ecotypes growing under local agricultural conditions with significant levels of beneficial factors may promote the value-added cultivation and enhance the agricultural economy. The objective of this study was to identify morphological and physiological traits for salinity tolerance in Tunisian autochthonous ZZ pearl millet ecotype under local conditions. The ability of this ecotype to cope with severe salt stress is the combined characteristic of many plant features, both morphological and physiological. These mechanisms enable ZZ pearl millet ecotype to store the large amounts of salt in the leaves while maintaining high leaf water content and without a grave consequent on panicle yield.