The maintenance of growth and turgor in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum [L.] Leeke) cultivars with different root structures and osmo-regulation under drought stress

The genetic diversities in the total root length (TRL) were significantly related to the relative growth ratio of the shoot (RGR) within 4-21 days after withholding water in both stress treatments. On the other hand, osmotic adjustment was also strongly correlated with RGR and leaf turgor potential (LTP) in both stress treatments, but the effects of TRL and OA in terms of contributing to the variance in RGR was comparatively low under drought conditions. These results demonstrated that OA and TRL were dependent on the degree of water deficit, and these traits were the most important factors regarding turgor maintenance and plant growth under drought conditions during the seedling stage.