Effect of Temperature During Various Growth Stages on Grain Development and Yield ofPennisetum americanum

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Abstract
In controlled temperature glasshouses plant morphology, gram development and yield of pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum) were markedly affected by temperature during three stages of plant growth: vegetative, stem elongation, and grain development. High temperature (to 33/28 °C day/night) during all three growth stages lowered grain yields by reducing basal tillering, numbers of grains per inflorescence, and single grain weight. Low temperature (21/16 °C) during the vegetative stage increased basal tillering and, as a result, total grain yield per plant. However, low temperature during the stem elongation stage reduced spikelet fertility and influorescence length, and thereby reduced the potential main shoot grain yield. Low temperature during grain development increased the grain filling period and grain yield. The rate of grain filling did not vary over the range of 21/16 to 33/28 °C. Although plant morphology and grain yield were markedly affected by pre-anthesis thermal environment, grain development was not. At all temperatures ethanol-soluble carbohydrates stored in the stem were depleted during early grain development.

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