Evaluating the effect of Drought stress and Micronutrients (Zinc and Manganese) on yield and yield components of Millet(Panicm miliacem)

In this decade, plants with low requirements which may contribute to human health have been increasingly considered. To investigate the effect of irrigation interval and foliar application of micronutrients on Panicum miliaceum, an experiment was conducted as split plot arrangement based on randomized complete block design with three replications in Sarbisheh agricultural research farm in 2012. Treatments including irrigation interval (7, 14 and 21 days) and foliar application of micronutrients in four levels (foliar application of manganese, zinc, zinc manganese and without foliar application) were assigned to main plot and sub plot, respectively. By decreasing irrigation interval to 7 days, the grain yield was increased mainly through increasing the number of grains per panicle (28% towards 21 day irrigation interval) and increasing the number of panicles per plant (25/68% towards 21 day irrigation interval). The foliar application of micronutrients improved the grain yield through enhancing grain number per panicle (23/29% towards treatment without foliar application) and enhancing panicle number per plant (15/17% towards treatment without foliar application). Findings showed that decreasing irrigation interval to 7 days and foliar application of micronutrients increased the yield and yield components of Panicum miliaceum. The maximum grain yield (222/6 grams per square meter) was under 7 day irrigation conditions and foliar application of manganese and zinc.