Pathogenic variability and characterization of pearl millet blast pathogen Pyricularia pennisetigena

Pearl Millet leaf Blast caused by Pyricularia grisea [teleomorph: Magnaporthe grisea], is spreading at an alarming rate in the major Pearl millet growing geographies of India effecting grain yield and green fodder yield. Blast isolates collected from Jaipur, Alwar and Toopran regions of India and virulence study conducted to identify the most virulent isolate among the three isolates. Artificial screening for Blast conducted on a raised bed method utilising uniform Blast Nursery (UBN) method. Eleven Pearl Millet genotypes (ICMB01333, ICMB03444, ICMB03555, ICMB06111, ICMB95444, ICMB11666, ICMB14333, ICMB14666, ICMB97111, ICMR12888 and ICMR06444) were screened with three blast isolates utilising artificial screening method. Among the eleven genotypes, ten genotypes were showing susceptible to Jaipur isolate indicating that the Jaipur isolate having highest virulence among the three isolates. To identify Blast resistant donors for Jaipur isolate, a set of 93 genotypes containing of 45 maintainer lines and 48 restorer lines were screened under both UBN and field conditions (Jaipur, Rajasthan). Among all the lines evaluated, five lines are showing resistant reaction for Jaipur isolate with disease score less than 1.9. ICMR06444 from restorer background and IC414K14B5, IC594K16B5, RBB037 and IC6912K18B from maintainer background are identified as resistant lines. Identified lines can be utilised in pearl millet hybrid breeding programme.

Pearl millet can be cultivated in a wide range of soil types under tropical and sub-tropical warm climates. The lack of improved cultivars and non-judicious use of phosphatic fertilizers are among the major reasons for low productivity of pearl millet. The farmers usually apply nitrogen (N); however, do not apply phosphorus (P) fertilizer to pearl millet grown as fodder, which significantly reduces fodder yield. It is assumed that P application can improve fodder yield of pearl millet. Therefore, this two-year (2020 and 2021) field study tested different pearl millet genotypes (i.e., ‘MP-24’, ‘YBS-70’, ‘YBS-86’, ‘YBS-93’, ‘YBS-95’, ‘YBS-98’, ‘18-BY’, ‘14-RS-05’, ‘55-S-85’, and ‘16-RBS-10’) for their fodder production with P fertilization (90 kg ha-1) and no P application (control). Phosphorus application significantly improved growth, fodder yield (24%), P uptake and P use efficiency (PUE) of all tested genotypes with significant differences among genotypes. The genotype ‘YBS-70’ produced the highest fodder yield with P application due to notable expansion in entire growth-related traits along with higher P uptake, P use efficiency (PUE), and net economic returns. The P application to genotype ‘YBS-70’ improved net economic returns (130% and 151% during 2020 and 2021, respectively) and benefit:cost ratio (59% and 61% during 2020 and 2021, respectively) during both years. It is concluded that fodder yield, PUE and profitability of millet may be improved by P application coupled with a suitable genotype. It is recommended that genotype ‘YBS-70’ can be grown with 90 kg ha-1 P application for higher fodder yield. Nevertheless, different P levels must be tested for concrete recommendations for different soil types in various agroecological zones of Pakistan.

Blast, also known as leaf spot, caused by Pyricularia grisea (teleomorph: Magnaporthe grisea), has emerged as a serious disease affecting both forage and grain production in pearl millet in India. Pathogenic variation was studied in a greenhouse using 25 M. grisea isolates collected from four major pearl-millet-growing states in India (Rajasthan, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh) on 10 pearl millet genotypes (ICMB 02444, ICMB 02777, ICMB 06444, ICMB 93333, ICMB 96666, ICMB 97222, ICMB 99444, 863B, ICMR 06222, and ICMB 95444). Differential reactions to the test isolates were recorded on ICMB 02444, ICMB 93333, ICMB 97222, 863B, and ICMR 06222. The 25 isolates were grouped into five different pathotypes based on their reaction types (virulent = score ≥ 4 and avirulent = score ≤ 3 on a 1-to-9 scale). For the identification of resistance sources, a pearl millet mini-core comprising 238 accessions was evaluated under greenhouse conditions against five M. grisea isolates (Pg118, Pg119, Pg56, Pg53, and Pg45) representing the five pathotypes. Of 238 accessions, 32 were found to be resistant to at least one pathotype. Resistance to multiple pathotypes (two or more) was recorded in several accessions, while three accessions (IP 7846, IP 11036, and IP 21187) exhibited resistance to four of the five pathotypes. Four early-flowering (≤50 days) blast-resistant mini-core accessions (IP 7846, IP 4291, IP 15256, and IP 22449) and four accessions (IP 5964, IP 11010, IP 13636, and IP 20577) having high scores (≥7) for grain and green fodder yield potential and overall plant aspect were found to be promising for utilization in pearl millet improvement programs. Identification of five pathotypes of M. grisea and sources of resistance to these pathotypes will provide a foundation for breeding for blast resistance in pearl millet in India.

A Field experiment was conducted at AICRP on Forage Crops and Utilization, ARI, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during kharif 2021. The treatments consisted of four fodder pearl millet varieties (TSFB 15-4, TSFB 15-8 ,Moti bajra and Moti bajra ), two nitrogen levels (80 and 120 kg N ha-1) and two cutting management practices (C1: Two cuts: 1st at 60 DAS, 2nd cut at 50% flowering) (C2: Three cuts: 1st at 50 DAS, 2nd cut at 35 days after 1st cut and 3rd cut at 50% flowering) laid out in randomized block design with factorial concept, with Factor (A) as varieties, Factor (B) as nitrogen levels and Factor (C) as cutting management with three replications. The soil was sandy loam in texture with pH of 7.0 low in available nitrogen, medium in available phosphorus and available potassium. The results revealed that TSFB 15-8 recorded significantly higher green fodder (769.8 q ha-1) and dry fodder (191.7 q ha-1) yields. The variety TSFB 15-8 was also shown highest crude protein content (6.0%), crude protein yield (13.8 q ha-1) and higher nitrogen uptake (190.2 kg ha-1). Application of nitrogen 120 kg N ha-1 significantly recorded maximum green fodder yield (716.1 q ha-1),dry fodder yield,crude protein content (6.1%), crude protein yield (14.7 q ha-1) and nitrogen uptake (207.1kg ha-1). But as the nitrogen application increases the ADF and NDF contents decrease. The higher ADF and NDF contents recorded highest at 80 kg N ha-1 and lowest at 120 kg N ha-1. Three cuts for green fodder recorded highest crude protein content (6.5%), crude protein yield (13.9 q ha-1) and nitrogen uptake (228.0 kg ha-1) over two cuts for green fodder. Variety TSFB 15-8 with nitrogen level of 120 kg N ha-1 at C2 found suitable and economical for cultivation in southernTelangana zone.

To study the growth, yield and economics of fodder grasses at Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, experiment was established in July 2022 with three treatments and five replications. In this study planted three fodder grasses viz., Pennisetum purpurmum × Pennisetum typhoides (Hybrid napier), Brachiaria mutica (Para grass) and Stylosanthes hamata (Stylo). Results indicated that the maximum height was found in T1: Hybrid Napier 186.60 cm followed by T2: Para grass 132 cm and minimum in T3: Stylo 57 cm. The plant population was maximum found in T3: Stylo 16 followed by T1: Hybrid Napier and T2: Para grass 4 whereas number of tillers or branches per meter square found maximum in T3: Stylo 159.80 followed by T1: Hybrid Napier 158.60 and minimum in T2: Para grass 120. The green fodder yield and dry fodder yield was maximum found in T1: Hybrid Napier 860.16 and 266.65 qha-1 followed by T2: Para grass 438.77 and 122.86 qha-1 and minimum in T3: Stylo 194.65 and 36.98 qha-1 respectively. The maximum net return was found in T1: Hybrid Napier Rs. 75,660 followed by T3: Stylo Rs. 62.505 and minimum in T2: Para grass Rs. 61,605. The maximum B:C ratio was found in T1: Hybrid Napier 2.86 followed by T3: Stylo Rs. 2.61 and minimum in T2: Para grass Rs. 2.29.

An attempt is made to develop and identify the best pearl millet hybrid for grain yield and fodder yield suitable to grow under low rainfall situations of scarce rainfall regions when compared with the best existing cultivars at AICPMIP, ARS, ANGRAU, Ananthapuram Center. The material for the experiment was developed during rabi 2011–12. A total of 67 single cross hybrids of pearl millet were developed in three sets. In the first set, 18 crosses were developed by using single female parent (ICMA 96444) and 18 different restorer lines derived from segregating populations of ICRISAT provided material. In the second set, 16 crosses were developed by using 16 different female parents (A lines) of ICRISAT origin and single restorer line (i. e. ARL-1) developed at Agricultural Research Station, Ananthapuram. Further in third set, a total of 33 crosses were developed by using 21 female parents (A lines) of ICRISAT origin and 16 different male parents derived from segregating populations of ICRISAT provided material. The total experimental materials (67 newly developed single crosses along with nine popular hybrids as checks) were planted in completely randomized block design in four replications during kharif 2012 at two locations i. e. in Field No. 3 and Field No. 12 at AICPMIP, ARS, ANGRAU, Ananthapuram Center. Data were recorded on 10 different morphological characters viz., days to 50% flowering, plant height (cm), productive tillers per plant, panicle length (cm), panicle diameter (cm), days to maturity, seed set under bagging (%), 1000-grain weight (g), grain yield per plot (kg) and fodder yield per plot (kg). Results revealed the higher values of GCV, PCV, heritability and genetic advance for characters grain yield and fodder yield. Based on association studies, the characters plant height, panicle diameter, panicle length, seed set under bagging and 1000-grain weight were identified as prime important characters, while going for selecting high grain and fodder yielding genotypes as they expressed significant positive association with grain yield and it was in turn positively related with fodder yield. From this study, it was found that the restorer line i. e. ARL-1 could be better utilized as good restorer parent on wide range of female parents based on the observation i. e. among three sets of top crosses, highest mean values for five characters (days to 50% flowering, plant height, days to maturity, 1000-grain weight and grain yield) were recorded in the second set of crosses and along with the better performance in maximum number of cross combinations for maximum number of characters studied where the common male parent (ARL-1) was used on different female parents of ICRISAT origin. Based on per se performance, out of the 67 single crosses evaluated, the two hybrids ICMA 96111 x ARL-1 and ICMA 96444 x 245 are identified as best dual purpose medium maturing and late maturing single cross hybrids, respectively, which are suitable to grow under scarce rainfall region with more than 40% yield superiority over the best check 86 M 64. For further evaluation, these two hybrids can be recommended for multi-location testing.

Pearl millet is a staple cereal grown in India. It encounters number of diseases which attack the crop during its growth, cause low yield and economic loss to the peasant ad finally to the nation as a whole. The blast also referred as leaf spot caused by Pyricularia grisea has emerged as a serious disease affecting both forage and grain production in pearl millet. in view of this a field experiment was conducted over three consecutive kharif seasons (2021, 2022 and 2023) at the Pearl Millet Research Station, JAU, Jamnagar, to assess to evaluate the efficacy of different fungicides in reducing the incidence and severity of blast disease in pearl millet as well as Identify the most effective fungicide formulations and application rates for minimizing blast intensity. On the basis of field and based on the pooled data Azoxystrobin 11% + Tebuconazole 18.30% SC, 0.05% recorded the lowest blast intensity at 30.20%, which was statistically at par with Tebuconazole 50% + Trifloxystrobin 25% WG, 0.05% (31.65%). The control treatment recorded the highest blast intensity at 54.96%. In context to grain and fodder yield, highest grain yield (2135 kg/ha) and fodder yield (44.38 q/ha) recorded in treatment Azoxystrobin 11% + Tebuconazole 18.30% SC, 0.05% which was at par with Tebuconazole 50% + Trifloxystrobin 25% WG, 0.05% (2054 kg/ha), Azoxystrobin 11% + Tebuconazole 18.30% SC, 0.625% (1940 kg/ha) and Tebuconazole 50% + Trifloxystrobin 25% WG, 0.0375% (1851 kg/ha). In summary, Azoxystrobin 11% + Tebuconazole 18.30% SC, 0.05% was the most effective treatment for controlling blast and maximizing both grain and fodder yield. The performance of Tebuconazole 50% + Trifloxystrobin 25% WG, 0.05% was comparable in terms of blast intensity and yield parameters.

Reduction in yield of arable crops under agroforestry in the tropics and subtropics is well known, but information on how different agroforestry systems influence the yield of crops is scanty. All types of agroforestry models may not be useful for all sites, but the old and traditional practices can be manipulated for meeting site-specific needs. Therefore, various agroforestry models (agri–silvi–horti systems) were developed to study their performance under semiarid conditions in north-west India. The experiment was conducted in ten-year-old silvi–horti systems comprising of shisham (Dalbergia sissoo L.) + aonla (Embilica officinalis Gaertn.), shisham (D. sissoo) + guava (Psidium guajava L.), khejri (Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce) + aonla (E. officinalis) and khejri (P. cineraria) + guava (P. guajava) planted at a spacing of 6 m × 6 m. Three crop sequences, viz. cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp)—wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub)—barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum (L.) R. Br.)—oat (Avena sativa L.), were intecropped for 2 years. The crops were also grown in open field. The fodder yield of the kharif crops, namely pearl millet, cowpea and cluster bean, was significantly suppressed by different silvi–horti systems during the period of study, and maximum yield was observed in sole cropping. Among different silvi–horti systems, maximum fodder yield of cowpea (10.27 t/ha) and clusterbean (5.67 t/ha) was recorded under khejri + guava, whereas pearl millet fodder yield (18.93 t/ha) was maximum in khejri + aonla silvi–horti system. Minimum fodder yield (3.47 t/ha) was recorded in clusterbean under shisham + guava, whereas maximum fodder yield (29.3 t/ha) was recorded in pearl millet under sole cropping. In rabi season, maximum grain yield of wheat (4.07 t/ha) and barley (4.38 t/ha) was recorded under sole cropping while minimum yield of wheat (2.34 t/ha) and barley (2.79 t/ha) was recorded under shisham + aonla. Fodder yield of oat was also influenced significantly by different silvi–horti systems. Maximum oat fodder yield of 62.00 t/ha was harvested from open field followed by 56.20 t/ha under khejri + guava. Maximum fruit yield (13.40 t/ha) was observed in aonla + wheat + khejri agri–silvi–horti system. Appreciable build up in organic carbon content (OC) and decrease in soil pH under agri–silvi–horti systems as compared to sole cropping. The available NPK content also increased under agri–silvi–horti systems and decreased with increasing soil depth. The agri–silvi–horti system of khejri + guava + clusterbean–barley fetched higher net returns (Rs. 76,650/ha), while the net returns from sole cropping of clusterbean–barley was only Rs. 15,953/ha.

Aims: This study compares the use of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, looking at cultural differences and potential future implications for genotype evolution in these areas. Study Design: This study was based on semi-structured interviews. Place and Duration of Study: Bioscience and Biotechnology Department, Banasthali Vidyapith, Tonk, Niwai, Rajasthan, 2020–2023. Methodology: To investigate the cultural and sociological elements promoting pearl millet adaptation, the study carried out a comparative ethnobotanical inquiry in the districts of Tonk, Rajasthan, and Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh. From August 2020 to April 2023, 206 participants from each state participated in field surveys, semi-structured interviews, and focus groups. Data analysis was done to evaluate the applications, benefits, and growing practices of pearl millet. Results: Pearl millet is an essential staple grain and livestock feed in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. In both the districts nearly everyone consumes chapati made of millet flour. Pearl millet is a common livestock feed in both states, and people in Rajasthan use it specifically for feeding camels. Pearl millet has nutritional advantages, especially in heart disease and lowering cholesterol. Conclusion: The study offers insightful information about the methods used in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh to grow pearl millet and its uses, and can be used to recommend policy changes and agricultural extension initiatives to improve productivity, food security, and farmers' livelihoods sustainably.

Field experiments were conducted in 2015 and 2016 rainy seasons at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Crop Production, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri (11047N; 12016E) to study the Effect of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculate L. walp) in mixture with Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] as affected by variety and time of cowpea introduction. The treatments consisted of three pearl millet varieties: ZATIP, SOSAT-C-88 and LACRI-9702-IC, two cowpea varieties: Borno Brown and SAMPEA 11 and four cowpea sowing dates: 0 weeks after sowing millet (WASM), 1 WASM, 2 WASM and 3 WASM. The experimental design was Split-Split plot with the pearl millet varieties allocated to the main plots, cowpea varieties assigned to the sub-plots and cowpea sowing date assigned to the sub- sub plots in 1:1 alternate row arrangement, and replicated three times. The results showed that in 2015, 2016 and the combined mean, Plant height, number of branches/ plants, grain yield/hectare and were significantly greater for Borno Brown than SAMPEA 11 variety. Delaying cowpea sowing date by three weeks after sowing the millet component decreased number of branches, grain yield and fodder yield in cowpea. The SOSAT-C-88 and Borno Brown intercrop produced the highest grain yield of pearl millet in both the years and the combined mean. The cowpea variety Borno Brown was more competitive with pearl millet at simultaneous (0 WASM) or 1 week after sowing millet that had greater grain yield than SAMPEA 11. Fodder yield and pod yield were greater for Borno Brown intercropped with LACRI-9702-IC or SOSAT-C-88 than SAMPEA 11 intercropped with ZATIP. Linear relationships among agronomic parameters of cowpea revealed that, pod yield, grain and fodder yield increased significantly with increase in plant height and number of branches

A set of 23 genotypes of fodder pearl millet were studied for genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance and character association of green fodder yield and its components at Jamnagar and Dhari under rainfed condition of Gujarat during Kharif -2014. The analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among the genotypes for all the seven characters studied. All the genotypes showed considerable amount of variation in their mean performance with respect to the characters studied, indicates presence of sufficient variability and scope for further selection and breeding superior and desirable genotypes. The variability analysis revealed that harvest index, grain yield, dry fodder yield and green fodder yield had high magnitude of phenotypic range, genotypic co-efficient of variation, phenotypic co-efficient of variation, heritability and genetic advance expressed as percentage of mean thereby suggesting the importance of additive gene action. Hence, these characters can be improved through simple selection process. Green fodder yield had significant positive correlation with days to 50 per cent flowering, days to maturity and dry fodder yield at both genotypic and phenotypic levels indicating any increase in these traits will increase the green fodder yield.

Crop management factors influencing yield and quality of crop residues

Pearl millet is a staple cereal grown in India. It encounters number of diseases which attack the crop during its growth, cause low yield and economic loss to the peasant ad finally to the nation as a whole. The blast also referred as leaf spot caused by Pyricularia grisea has emerged as a serious disease affecting both forage and grain production in pearl millet. in view of this a field experiment was conducted over three consecutive kharif seasons (2021, 2022 and 2023) at the Pearl Millet Research Station, JAU, Jamnagar, to assess to evaluate the efficacy of different fungicide and bio agents in for reducing the pearl millet blast disease as well as Identify the most effective fungicide/bio agents and application rates for minimizing blast intensity. On the basis of field and based on the pooled data, Tebuconazole 50 + Trifloxystrobin 25 WG, 0.04% at 20 and 35 DAS found minimum blast disease intensity (22.96%), Gighest grain yield (2472 kg ha-1) and fodder yield (46.80 q ha-1) over treatment and sprays of Pseudomonas fluorescens, 10 g L-1 at 20 DAS and Tebuconazole 50 + Trifloxystrobin 25 WG, 0.04% at 35 DAS (26.75%), found statistically at par, with blast intensity (26.75%), grain yield (2377 kg ha-1) and fodder yield 44.28 q ha-1).

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] is grown under both arid and semi-arid conditions in India, where other cereals are hard to grow. Pearl millet cultivars, hybrids, and OPVs (open pollinated varieties) are tested and released by the All India Coordinated Research Project on Pearl Millet (AICRP-PM) across three zones (A1, A, and B) that are classified based on rainfall pattern. Except in locations with extreme weather conditions, hybrids dominate pearl millet growing areas, which can be attributed to hybrid vigor and the active role of the private sector. The importance of OPVs cannot be ruled out, owing to wider adaptation, lower input cost, and timely seed availability to subsidiary farmers cultivating this crop. This study was conducted to scrutinize the presently used test locations for evaluation of pearl millet OPVs across India, identify the best OPVs across locations, and determine the variation in grain Fe and Zn contents across locations in these regions. Six varieties were evaluated across 20 locations in A1 and A (pooled as A) and B zones along with three common checks and additional three zonal adapted checks in the respective zones during the 2019 rainy season. Recorded data on yield and quality traits were analyzed using genotype main effects and genotype × environment interaction biplot method. The genotype × environment (G × E) interaction was found to be highly significant for all the grain yield and agronomic traits and for both micronutrients (iron and zinc). However, genotypic effect (G) was four (productive tillers) to 49 (grain Fe content) times that of G × E interaction effect for various traits across zones that show the flexibility of OPVs. Ananthapuramu is the ideal test site for selecting pearl millet cultivars effectively for adaptation across India, while Ananthapuramu, Perumallapalle, and Gurugram can also be used as initial testing locations. OPVs MP 599 and MP 600 are identified as ideal genotypes, because they showed higher grain and fodder yields and stability compared with other cultivars. Iron and zinc concentration showed highly significant positive correlation (across environment = 0.83; p < 0.01), indicating possibility of simultaneous effective selection for both traits. Three common checks were found to be significantly low yielders than the test entries or zonal checks in individual zones and across India, indicating the potential of genetic improvement through OPVs.

A field experiment was conducted during the summer season of 2024 - 2025 at the Integrated Farming Systems Research Station, Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. This study aims to evaluate the effect of legume intercropping on the growth, yield attributes and yield of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) in lowland rice fallows and to assess the economics. The experiment comprised thirteen treatments intercropping pearl millet with bush cowpea, fodder cowpea, green gram and black gram in 1:1 and 2:1 planting ratios along with their respective sole crops, laid out in a Randomized Block Design replicated thrice. Growth and yield attributes of pearl millet were significantly influenced by intercropping systems. The tallest plants, higher number of tillers and maximum grain yield (2498 kg ha⁻¹) were observed in T₉ (sole crop of pearl millet). Growth and yield attributes of intercrops were significantly reduced under intercropping systems. Sole crop of bush cowpea (T10), fodder cowpea (T11), green gram (T12) and black gram (T13) recorded the tallest plants with the highest number of branches, leaf area and LAI followed by intercropping at 1:1 ratio. Yield attributes such as number of pods per plant, grain yield and haulm yield were also higher in sole cropping. The leaf: stem ratio (0.78±0.03), green fodder yield (8184±162 kg ha-1) and dry fodder yield (1042±40 kg ha-1) were also higher in T11 followed by T3. Among the treatments, T₁ (pearl millet + bush cowpea in 1:1 ratio) recorded the highest pearl millet equivalent yield (3888 kg ha⁻¹) followed by T₇ (pearl millet + black gram in 1:1 ratio) with 3749 kg ha⁻¹. The highest net income (₹90,246 ha⁻¹) and benefit: cost ratio (2.15) were also observed in T₇, indicating profitability of the system. The lowest yield and economic return were recorded in T₁₁ (sole crop of fodder cowpea). Overall, intercropping with short-duration legumes such as black gram and bush cowpea enhanced system productivity, economic efficiency and resource utilization compared to sole cropping. The study concluded that T₇ (pearl millet + black gram in 1:1 ratio) were the most productive, economically viable and sustainable intercropping systems for effective utilization of lowland summer rice fallows of Kerala.