干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

The limited adoption of modern pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) hybrids in the arid zone of western Rajasthan has been attributed to the lack of hybrids with sufficient adaptation to this zone, a conclusion based largely on the on-farm performance of hybrids under traditional management systems. The objective of this research was to determine if this conclusion is also true under improved management conditions. This study compared six recommended hybrids and six traditional landraces in 16 environments created through a combination of locations and years overfive crop seasons. Across all environments the average grain yield ranged from 439 kg ha(-1) to 3200 kg ha-1. The mean grain yield of the landraces was similar to that of the hybrids but the landraces provided significantly higher biomass and stover yield. Only above a mean trial grain yield of 2000 kg ha(-1) the hybrids outyielded the landraces for grain productivity. These results confirm that even under well managed, but rainfed, arid zone environments, current hybrids offer farmers little advantage over their traditional landraces.