Ecological plasticity and stability of common millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) productivity in different environmental conditions of Ukraine

Purpose. To estimate the ecological plasticity of common millet yield under conditions of Steppe, Forest-Steppe and Forest of Ukraine. Methods. Mathematical and statistical: determination of stability and plasticity by Eberhart & Russell method, correlation analysis. Results. As a result of correlation analysis of millet cultivated areas during the period of 2011–2020, it was revealed that cultivated areas in Ukraine depend on the world ones (r = 0.34). It was determined that a high level of common millet yield was obtained in the forest-steppe zone, namely in Poltava, Khmelnytskyi, Cherkasy, Sumy and Kharkiv regions (2.20–2.51 t/ha). Quite high rates of yield were obtained in Vinnytsia, Kyiv (Forest-Steppe zone) and Kirovohrad (Steppe zone) regions (1.86–2.02 t/ha). Low yield over 10 years was noted in Rivne, Zhytomyr and Volyn regions, which belong to the Forrest zone (1.09–1.34 t/ha). It is shown that during 2011–2015 high variability of millet yield was observed in Khmelnytskyi, Vinnytsia and Volyn regions. The coefficient of variation was 42.0–71.3%. During 2016–2020 significant variation was noted in Donetsk, Volyn and Odesa regions. The coefficient of variation was 31.8–43.9%. In the period from 2016 to 2020, high plasticity of the yield trait was noted in Vinnitsa, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Poltava, Cherkasy, Sumy and Khmelnitsky regions. During 2016–2020 high plasticity trait of millet yield was in Vinnytsia, Kyiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Khmelnytskyi, Cherkasy and Poltava regions. Conclusions. According to the results of the studies, it was found that with a reduction in the area under millet in the world, the volume of its production in Ukraine increases. It was determined that the hig­hest yield of millet was obtained in the Forest-Steppe zone during the years of observation. According to the plasticity of millet yield, it was found that favorable conditions for realization of its biological potential were in Donetsk and Kirovohrad regions of Steppe zone, in Forest-Steppe zone of Vinnytsia, Poltava, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Khmelnytskyi, Cherkasy and Sumy regions.

Assessment of climate change impacts on agriculture in Mali

This study examined the total, direct and indirect effects of climatic variables (temperature and precipitation) on crop yields (maize and millet) between regions located in close proximity to each other a spatial panel analysis of five administrative regions of Mali over a period of 30 years (1988-2017). Our results show that temperature and rainfall have direct, indirect and total effects on maize yield, while the direct effect on millet yield is not statistically significant. In other words, the effect on regions closely linked to region i where the change in temperature or rainfall occurred will be greater than the effect on more remote regions. In addition, the coefficient of variation of precipitation and the interaction between temperature and precipitation as well as area planted all have negative impacts on maize yield. However, millet yield is negatively correlated with drought in the study area. Based on these findings, decision-makers need to take into account that conditions in surrounding areas can influence cereal crop yields and that spillover effects differ between crop types. Investments in agricultural research and development must be encouraged to counter the effects of climate change.

VALORIZATION OF SIDA CORDIFOLIA L. BIOMASS IN COMPOST FOR PEARL MILLET (PENNISETUM GLAUCUM) PRODUCTION IN NIGER

Sida cordifolia L. (SC) is an invading species that represents a threat to grazing lands in Niger. In order to enhance this invasive species, we studied the use of this plant for compost-making. First, the study evaluated the development of chemical properties under aerobic composting of SC in pit (P) and in heap (H) composting with two different mixtures. Mixture 1 (M1) contained 75% SC, 20% manure and 5% ash, while mixture 2 (M2) contained 95% SC and 5% manure. Then, the phytotoxicity test of the composts obtained was carried out by evaluating the effects of four different concentrations of compost on germination of pearl millet. The study of the effect of the rates 1000 kg ha-1 and 1500 kg ha-1 (100g and 150 g hill-1) of the different composts on pearl millet yield under field conditions. The composting was undertaken at Molli fishery station and the agronomic tests at the N’Dounga experimental site during two seasons (2018 and 2019). The chemical analysis showed that the composts from M1 were richer in plant nutrients than the M2 composts. All four rates of composts gave germination rates beyond 50% independent of composting method or compost mixture. On both seasons, the 1000 kg ha-1 M1P gave the best result in terms of grain yield. In 2018, M1P treatment increased grain yield compared to the control by 652 kg ha-1 (105.2%), while in 2019, the corresponding yield increase was 812 kg ha-1 (118.02%). Application of 1000 kg M1 compost ha-1 corresponded to about 11.1 kg N ha-1, which is more than three times the amount of N applied when using the recommended rate of 20 kg NPK ha-1 as micro dosing. This result showed that compost of SC can be used as a supplement to mineral fertilizer for increasing pearl millet yield.

Effect of Climate Variability on Finger Millet Productivity: Panel Data Analysis

Finger millet is widely grown all parts of the world and it is consumed by all people. This paper studies the impact of climate variability on yield of finger millet crop in Tamil Nadu using Panel regression analysis. The data on maximum and minimum rainfall, maximum and minimum temperature and yield of finger millet was collected and used for analysis. Panel data model was used to estimate effect of climate variability. The temperature and its square terms shows the significant impact on finger millet yield, it means after the certain level increase in temperature leads to yield loss. The square term of the SWM maximum temperature will increase the yield of finger millet up to a threshold level, beyond which the yield will decrease. Higher temperature during north-east monsoon season would mean lower yield rates. The regression coefficient of interaction term for NEM rainfall and NEM maximum temperature was found to be positive which indicate that the joint effect of rainfall and temperature during the north-east monsoon season on finger millet yield was positive thus contributing for increased productivity. Thus increasing in climatic variables would support the millets up to a certain level and after that it lower the yield of finger millet.

Studies on Photosynthetic Rate, Anatomical Characters, and Grain Yield in Finger Millet Genotypes

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn.) yield improvement has been achieved through development of blast resistant varieties and adoption of appropriate management practices. However, yield improvement is approaching stagnation and further improvement could be possible by inclusion of physiological traits in addition to yield per se. In this direction, nine selected genotypes for high net assimilation were compared with popular Cv. GPU-28 for photosynthetic, anatomical, and yield contributing traits to identify a better genotype and physiological traits associated with grain yield. Results revealed that the photosynthetic rate did not differ significantly between genotypes, but influenced the grain yield through increased earhead size and harvest index. Path analysis showed a direct positive effect of photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, mean earhead size and productive tillers towards grain yield. The photosynthetic rate was positively associated with leaf lamina thickness and vein frequency. Therefore, for finger millet yield improvement, traits like photosynthetic rate/ transpiration rate and mean earhead size with 3 to 4 tillers could be selected. Variety, GPU-28 which is widely cultivated had better photosynthetic traits and grain yield attributes, this variety can be used as important baseline check for both photosynthetic rate and grain yield in finger millet yield improvement programmes.