A comparative assessment of 14 pearl millet genotypes transpired for growth and yield traits under arid conditions of Southeast Kazakhstan. In this study, the green and dry plant biomass and grain yield of 14 pearl millet genotypes’ assessment ensued under rainfed conditions in Southeast Kazakhstan. For green biomass yield, the three pearl millet genotypes Bair Bajsa, HHVBC tall, and J-6 performed better and were high yielders ranging from 39.07 to 39.94 t/ha. The accumulation of dry biomass (as hay) was different and varied widely from 3.17 to 17.36 t/ha; however, the maximum dry biomass appeared in the genotype HHVBC tall. Genotype HHVBC tall was leading for green and dry plant biomass formation and has the potential for grain yield under rainfed conditions of Southeast Kazakhstan. Drought always negatively impacted the production of fodder and grains; however, genotype HHVBC tall assures a stable plant biomass and seed production under arid conditions. In dry Southeast Kazakhstan, pearl millet, a drought-resistant crop, is a highly productive, valuable fodder and grain crop based on quality yields of biomass and grains. Subject to the cultivation technology and according to weather conditions, on average, the pearl millet genotypes form a green mass biomass yield of 40 t/ha and grain yield of 2.2 t/ha under rainfed conditions of Southeast Kazakhstan. For cultivation in the Republic, it is necessary to expand pearl millet as an annual crop, most adapted to extreme agroecological conditions.
Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.), drought conditions, plant height, green and dry biomass, grain yield, Southeast Kazakhstan
Pearl millet genotype HHVBC tall has a high potential for forming plant green and dry biomass but also showed a superior potential for grain yield under rainfed conditions of Southeast Kazakhstan. As most adapted to extreme agroecological conditions of the Republic, a need to recommend expanding the cultivation of pearl millet is a must.