Evaluation on Adaptation Strategies for Enhancing Pearl Millet Productivity under Changing Climate Using DSSAT -Cropgro Model over Semi-Arid Tracts of Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai with the treatment combination comprised of three sowing dates at biweekly intervals (II FN of September, I FN of October and II FN of October) and three nitrogen levels Recommended Dose of Nitrogen (RDN), 75% (RDN) and 125% (RDN) replicated thrice with two varieties CO (Cu) 10 and ABV 04 in factorial RBD design. The results obtained from the field trial was used for calibrating and validating the dynamic crop simulation model DSSAT-CROPGRO for predicting the growth and yield of pearl millet crop.  Pearl millet is highly responsive and sensitive to precipitation and temperature. Sensitivity of crop model (DSSAT) simulation as well as the response of productivity for the changes in Carbon, Temperature, Water and Nitrogen (CTWN) was assessed. The analysis revealed that raise in elevated temperature beyond 2oC inhibits the growth and productivity of pearl millet. The grain yield of pearl millet was higher when the crop receives 25 per cent more rainfall from the current condition and further increase in rainfall decreased the pearl millet productivity.  Increased level of N up to 100 kg ha-1 had positively influenced the grain yield resulting in higher economic returns under the current climate conditions.