Elucidation of Yield Potential in Proso millet under Rainfed Cultivation in North Eastern Agro-Climatic Zone of Tamil Nadu, India

The research aimed to analyze the impact of climatic conditions on proso millet performance under rainfed conditions over three Kharif seasons from 2020 to 2022. Rainfall increased from 459.7 mm in 2020 to 663.4 mm in 2022, with August being the wettest month. Temperature data showed maximum temperatures ranged from 33.4°C to 37.2°C, and minimum temperatures varied between 24.6°C and 28.1°C. Growth metrics demonstrated significant improvements: plant height increased from 15.41 cm at 15 days after sowing to 115.3 cm at harvest, alongside increases in branches, root length, leaf area index and crop growth rate. Yield parameters remained stable, with productive tillers ranging from 3 to 5, total dry matter between 55.4 and 57.3 g/plant, panicle length from 33.8 to 34.2 cm, grain yield from 7.2 to 7.8 g/plant, straw yield from 23.4 to 25.6 g/plant, and a harvest index of 0.31 to 0.34. These results highlight the beneficial effects of increased rainfall and stable temperatures on proso millet growth and yield, emphasizing the importance of sufficient water availability and favorable climatic conditions for optimal crop performance during the Kharif season.