Agronomic and physiological responses of pearl millet ecotype (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) to saline irrigation

The objective of this study was to identify morphological and physiological traits for salinity tolerance in Tunisian autochthonous ZZ pearl millet ecotype (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br) under local conditions. ZZ ecotype was cultivated under different levels of salinity and growth parameters, water relations and mineral content were measured. Results showed that ZZ pearl millet ecotype was unable to store the large amounts of salt in the leaves, while maintaining high leaf water content and without a grave consequent on panicle yield. This ecotype is fitted for a selective sodium sequestration in the vacuole.