Evapotranspiration and soil moisture balance in relation to yield of pearl millet (Pennisetum gIaucum)

Abstract

In this study. the agrometeorological data of Hisar and Bellary have been utilized to examine evapotranspirative demand of the pearl millet at different phases during the crop growing period.Water use efficiency of the crop has also been worked out and discussted. Cumulative soil moisture balance was computed to assess the crop stress situation, Attempt has also been made to assess the moisture availability to the crop during the growing period and to estimate the yield,
 The study revealed that the pearl millet used maximum amount of water during the flowering stage at both locations. The same variety of pearl millet was found to use water more efficiently at Hisar than at Bellary. The yield index based on soil moisture balance technique was found to give a good indication of the yield.