Effect of High Temperature Stress on Growth, Development and Yield of Finger Millet.

The effect of climate change, particularly high temperature stress on crop production is of major concern in agriculture. Increased variability and more frequent episodes of extreme conditions may result in crops being exposed to more than one extreme temperature event in a single growing season, resulting in decreased yields. Finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.) is an important cereal in East and Central Africa and Southern Asia and is adapted to a wide range of environments. It tolerates cooler climates than other millets however, its response to high temperature stress has not been studied. A study was conducted at Kansas State University under controlled environment conditions in 2009 to determine the effect of high temperature stress on growth, development and yield of finger millet. Temperatures in the growth chambers were set at optimum temperature (32/22⁰C), high temperature I (36/26⁰C), and high temperature II (38/28⁰C). Results showed that growth, development and productivity of finger millet was significantly influenced by high temperature stress. There were significant effects (p<0.05) on high temperature stress on phenology, physiological, growth and yield traits of finger millet. High temperature delayed panicle emergence, flowering and attaining physiological maturity. Chlorophyll content of the leaves was decreased and growth traits including leaf area, leaf dry weight, stem dry weight and panicle dry weight were significantly reduced by high temperature. Traits that influence yield such as panicle numbers, finger numbers, finger length, seed numbers and seed weight were significantly reduced by high temperatures.  It was determined that although finger millet could tolerate temperatures as high as 36/26⁰C, the optimum temperature was 32/22⁰C among the three temperature regimes tested.

Keywords: Finger millet, optimum temperature, high temperature, high temperature stress