Abstract
Pearl millet is an important crop for arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Genomic regions associated with combining ability for yield-related traits under irrigated and drought conditions are useful in heterosis breeding programs. Chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) are excellent genetic resources for precise QTL mapping and identifying naturally occurring favorable alleles. In the present study, testcross hybrid populations of 85 CSSLs were evaluated for 15 grain and stover yield-related traits for summer and wet seasons under irrigated control (CN) and moisture stress (MS) conditions. General combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) effects of all these traits were estimated and significant marker loci linked to GCA and SCA of the traits were identified. Heritability of the traits ranged from 53–94% in CN and 63–94% in MS. A total of 40 significant GCA loci and 36 significant SCA loci were identified for 14 different traits. Five QTLs (flowering time, panicle number and panicle yield linked to Xpsmp716 on LG4, flowering time and grain number per panicle with Xpsmp2076 on LG4) simultaneously controlled both GCA and SCA, demonstrating their unique genetic basis and usefulness for hybrid breeding programs. This study for the first time demonstrated the potential of a set of CSSLs for trait mapping in pearl millet. The novel combining ability loci linked with GCA and SCA values of the traits identified in this study may be useful in pearl millet hybrid and population improvement programs using marker-assisted selection (MAS).
Highlights
IntroductionBr.], commonly known as bulrush or cattail millet, is the most important small-seeded grain crop (i.e., millet)
The percent coefficient of variations was more than 25% for Grain yield (GY), Dry stover yield (DSY), grain number per panicle (GNP), BM, panicle harvest index (PHI), grain harvest index (GHI) and Vegetative growth index (VGI) in both moisture regimes
Correlation analysis between General combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) of GY or DSY with that of other traits revealed that the combining ability values of GY were strongly correlated with those of Panicle yield (PY), TGM, GNP, PHI, and GHI while combining ability of DSY with that of BM. These results indicate that both grain number and mass along with panicle yield could be considered over other traits such as flowering time (FT), plant height (PH), Panicle number (PN), and PH, etc., for genetic enhancement of GY and for DSY, BM could be given more attention
Summary
Br.], commonly known as bulrush or cattail millet, is the most important small-seeded grain crop (i.e., millet). In its traditional growing areas, in India and many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, pearl millet grain is the staple food for poor. Combining ability loci for grain and stover yield for irrigated and drought conditions administered by CAZS Natural Resources for the benefit of developing countries. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript
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