Panicum species are one of C4 plant species
found in the tropical climate. C4 plants have a distinctive
leaf anatomy and photosynthetic metabolism for utilizing
carbon dioxide as compared to C3 plants (Taiz and
Zeiger, 2006). Increase in 5˚C-10˚C temperature above
the threshold may cause irreversible injury to plant
growth and development, disturb its metabolism and
decline in growth and yield (Porter, 2005). In arid
environment, perennial grasses are nutritive in purpose
and used as a main source of fodder for livestock as
reported by Mansoor et al. (2002). The problem of aridity
becomes severe in Cholistan desert due to maximum
temperature of 52˚C during summer and average rainfall
of 120 to 200 mm (Naeem et al., 2000).