Evaluation of Released Varieties and Hybrids of Pearl Millet for Seed and Stover Yields in Hot Arid Climate of Rajasthan

Nine open pollinated varieties (OPVs) during kharif 2007, 2008 and 2010 and nine hybrids during kharif 2011 and 2012 were evaluated for seed yield and stover yield in hot arid climate of Rajasthan at Agricultural Research Station, Keshwana, Jalore. The significant differences among experimental varieties and hybrids for seed as well as stover yields were observed. In case of OPVs, higher seed yield per hectare was recorded for Raj-171 (2,606 kg), JBV-2 (2,565 kg) and Pusa-266 (2,565 kg). However, higher stover yield per hectare was observed for JBV-3 (14,930 kg), JBV-2 (13,009 kg) and Pusa-266 (12,894 kg). Similarly, hybrids GHB-744 (3,938 kg), RHB-173 (3,779 kg) and GHB-732 (3,465 kg) out yielded other hybrids in terms of seed yield per hectare. The higher stover yield per hectare was exhibited by RHB-173 (7,765 kg), GHB-744 (5,942 kg) and HHB-197 (5,912 kg). Though in different years but under similar agronomic practices in the arid and hot climatic conditions OPVs out yielded hybrids by 93.38% for stover yield whereas, hybrids out yielded OPVs by 31.74% for seed yield. The hybrid HHB-67 improved was early and took 34 days for exhibiting 50% flowering.