Irrigation Effects on Roots and Shoots of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum typhoides)

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Abstract
SUMMARY: Irrigated and unirrigated crops of pearl millet were grown in Hyderabad, India, during the post-monsoon season of 1977. Irrigation increased both the dry weight of roots and the number of root axes, but because the additional axes were thick and unbranched the total length of roots was unaffected. However, irrigation did cause more of the root length to be in the top 20 cm of soil. Yield of the irrigated crop was higher than that of the dry crop, mainly because more tillers survived to produce grain. Grain growth of the dry crop occurred when the net growth of the crop was zero, probably because of movement of assimilate from stems to panicles. Possible strategies for improving yields are examined in the light of the growth data.