Influence of Systems of Planting Pearl Millet (Bajra) on Crop Micro-Climate

Abstract

An experiment on the influence of systems of planting dryland pearl mi 1- let in uniform (conventional), paired and triple rows, on crop micro-climate was conducted at the Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur. It was revealed that the crop canopy in the triple and paired row systems absorbed 3.6 and 2.0 times more radiant energy, respectively, than the uniform system of planting. The albedo of the crop canopy remained almost the same throughout flowering and grain formation stages, irrespective of the systems of planting. Lower values of vapour pressure deficit (VPD) and canopy temperatures, obtained during most of the day period in the triple and paired row systems of planting, and lower ratio of Rn(G)/Rn(T), led to lower Et demand and improved crop yields of the order of 7.7 to 15.0 %.