Ear photosynthesis in long and normal glumed genotypes of finger millet (Eleusine coracana Gaertn)

The rate of ear photosynthesis at different stages of deve loment was studied in finger millet genotypes differing distinctly in glume size. In long glume types, ¹⁴CO₂ fixation rate by the ears was significantly higher. In long glume genotype GE 2973, the increase in photosynthetic rate was 228 and 43 per cent over the check genotype Indaf 5 at anthesis and 15 days after anthesis respectively. In finger millet, nearly 65 to 83 per cent of ¹⁴CO₂ fixed by the ear was contributed by the glumes. The importance of glume photosynthesis and ear photosynthesis in increasing the productivity is discussed.