Management strategies of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] to cope with rainfall anomalies under semi-arid regions of Rajasthan

Field experiment was carried out at Rajasthan Agricultural Research Institute, Durgapura, Jaipur, during kharif seasons of 2019 and 2020 to optimize pearl millet production in the face of rainfall irregularities. The experiment comprises two pearl millet varieties (RHB-173 and RHB-177), four transplanting shock preventing methods (No treatment, Triacontanol @ 0.25 ml/litre, Triacontanol @ 0.50 ml/litre and Leaf clipping) and three transplanting dates (15^th -30^th June, 1^st -15^th July and 16^th -31^st July). Pearl millet cultivar RHB-173 observed significant effect on growth and yield of pearl millet as compared to RHB-177. Among the transplanting shock preventing methods, triacontanol @ 0.25 ml/litre found better effect on growth and yield of pearl millet as compared to no treatment, triacontanol @ 0.50 ml/litre and leaf clipping. The appropriate date for pearl millet transplanting was noted 1^st -15^th July to encouraging growth and yield of pearl millet in contrast to 15^th -30^th June and 16^th -31^st July. The study indicated the pearl millet variety RHB-173 transplanted during 1^st -5^th July with seedling treatment triacontanol @ 0.25 ml/litre a promising strategy for improving pearl millet production.