Ameliorants for late sown finger millet under rainfed condition

The efficacy of seed soaking treatments with chlorophenyl pyridylurea (CPPU), potassium chloride (KCl), and combination of potassium chloride and calcium chloride (KCl+CaCl) was evaluated in finger millet. Seeds of genotypes CO 13, PR 202 and Indaf9 were soaked for 6 hours in solutions of above chemicals. Late planting experienced the early stages stress which severely reduced the leaf area, chlorophyll stability index, increased proline content and reduced the grain yield under rainfed condition. Chlorophyll stability index and proline content indicate that the genotypes which have poor yield potential under untreated condition are more resistant to moisture stress under treated condition. The combination of KCl + CaCl₂ was found to be more effective in improving the productivity in late sown finger millet.