Abstract
AbstractTo promote the utilization of West and Central African (WCA) genetic resources of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.], this study aimed at agro-morphological characterization of selected accessions from the pearl millet reference collection, established by the Generation Challenge Program and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). A total of 81 accessions were included, comprising 78 landraces originating from 13, predominantly WCA countries and three improved cultivars. All 81 accessions were evaluated together with 18 checks for resistance to the parasitic weed Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth. in an artificially infested field at one location in Niger. Determined by available seed quantity, 74 accessions were characterized together with seven checks in the rainy season 2009 in field trials under low-input and fertilized conditions in Nigeria, Niger and Mali, respectively. Wide ranges were observed for various traits. Several accessions were identified as sources for specific traits of interest, i.e. long panicles, high-grain density, earliness, Striga resistance and stable yielding across environments. The observed yield inferiority of all Genebank accessions compared with checks may indicate lost adaptation or inbreeding depression due to an insufficient effective population size during multiplication. A principal component analysis revealed an immense diversity but also strong admixture among the tested accessions, i.e. there were no clearly distinct groups. The seed of all genotypes is available from ICRISAT. The online availability of the characterization data is expected to facilitate efficient use of these pearl millet accessions by breeding programmes in WCA and worldwide.
Highlights
Repeatabilities ranged from 16% for seedling vigour at the Cinzana low-input environment to 98% for flowering time at the Cinzana high-input environment
In Cinzana, repeatabilities were lower for seedling vigour and higher for downy mildew susceptibility than in Maiduguri and Sadoré
High grain yield was significantly associated with high seedling vigour, large plant height, high stover yield, long panicles, high panicle yield and high average panicle weight, strong panicle compactness, a high number of grains per panicle, and low downy mildew infestation (Table 3)
Summary
Br.] is a food security crop in the harsh drylands of Sahelian West and Central Africa (WCA) and in drylands of South Asia, especially India. Farmers use the stover as animal fodder and building material. West Africa (WA) is a primary diversity centre of pearl millet (Brunken et al, 1977; Oumar et al, 2008; Tostain and Marchais, 1993). The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) is maintaining
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