Screening Field Grown Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) Genotypes For Salinity Tolerance in the North of Tunisia

Abstract

Abstract The focus of this study is to compare salt stress response among pearl millet genotypes, based on agronomical traits. A field experimental complete randomized design (CRD) was conducted during the summer-winter season (July-December) of 2010, at the Agricultural Experimental Station of Nabeul. Nine pearl millet Pennisetum Glaucum L genotypes (IP 22269; IP 13151; MC 94C2; IP 19612; SVDANPOL III; ICMV 1550; IP 7704; HHVBCTAB2; IP 19586) were irrigated with saline water (8.57 dS.m-1 EC). Plant height, biomass accumulation and morphological measures of clusters (weight, length, diameter) were determined. Based on plant height and fresh biomass accumulation, we could classify the genotype IP22269 as more tolerant to salinity, while MC94C2 as sensitive genotype. MC94C2 was once more identified as sensitive genotype, based on less clusters weight. Highest values of clusters weight and diameter were recorded for IP19586 and IP19612. Thus, a noticeable variability in salt tolerance was observed among studied genotypes.