GENOTYPIC DIFFERENCES IN RELATION TO CLIMATIC ADAPTATION OF TWO CULTIVATED BARNYARD MILLET SPECIES AT GARHWAL HILLS

Abstract

Genotypic differences in climatic adaptation were examined between two cultivated species of barnyard millet viz. Echinochloa frumentacea (Roxb.) Link and E. crusgalii ssp. utilis (L.) P. Beauv on four characters (1) days to emergence of seedling from soil, (2) optimum thermal time for seedling emergence, (3) seedling root length and (4) grain yield under field condition at high altitude (2IOOm MSL) of Garhwal hills in the Himalayas on three different temperature regimes of sowing date in April, May and June, respectively. Climatic condition in April remained cool. Early emergence of seedling, requirement of low thermal time, normal development of root and high grain yield in April sowing provide greater acclimation to low atmospheric temperature at high hills to the cultivars of E. crusgalii ssp. utilis (L) P. Beauv.