Response of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucu L.) varieties to seed priming in semi arid ecologies of Nigeria

Abstract

Field trials were carried out during 2016 rainy season at Bayero University Teaching and Research Farm, Kano and Demonstration Farm of Lake Chad Research Institute, Maiduguri to study the response of Pearl Millet varieties to seed priming. Treatments comprised of factorial combinations of five seed primers (Potassium chloride (KCl), Calcium chloride (CaCl2), Cow urine, Cowdung extract and Control) and four pearl millet varieties ( LCICMV-1, LCICMV-2, LCICMV-3 and LCICMV-4) and were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design in three replications. Data were collected on plant height, panicle length, one thousand grain weight, chlorophyll and relative water contents. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and treatments means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test at 5% level of probability. Results indicated that growth and yield parameters of pearl millet were significantly (P< 0.05) affected at both locations. Seed priming with KCl had significantly higher plant height, panicle length, one thousand grain weight and grain yield per hectare at both locations, except in Maiduguri where application of cowdung lead to higher chlorophyll content. Pearl millet varieties LCICMV-1and LCICMV-2 recorded higher grain yield of 1019 and 1055 kg/ha for Kano and Maiduguri, respectively. Conclusively, pearl millet varieties of LCICMV-1 or LCICMV-2 and KCl as seed priming substance is recommended in the arid ecologies of Nigeria.