Analysis of the difference in water consumption and water use efficiency among different drought-resistant foxtail millet varieties

ABSTRACT To check the differences in water use efficiency (WUE) among different drought-resistant foxtail millet varieties, 21 major varieties in China were classified into three different drought-resistance levels based on the drought resistance index (DRI), and the effects of drought stress on water consumption were studied under drought stress treatment (DT) and normal irrigation treatment (WT). The results showed that strong drought-resistant varieties were less affected by drought stress on yield and showed significant yield advantages under the DT treatment. Strong drought-resistant varieties had lower water consumption at different stages under the WT treatment, whereas strong drought-resistant varieties significantly had higher water consumption after flowering under the DT treatment. Overall, WUE and water use efficiency on leaf (WUEl) increased with the enhancement of drought-resistant varieties. Analysis of variance indicated that the variety type had a more significant impact on WUE and WUEl than the irrigation treatment. Combining the DRI and WUE index, five varieties, with strong drought-resistance and high WUE, were selected. Based on the analysis of plant traits, the selection of varieties can focus on those with lower plant heights and larger leaf areas.