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As a gluten‐free cereal with high nutritional properties, pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] has been increasingly regarded as an alternative dryland resilient food crop with enriched grain nutritional value. This paper explores the potential of single‐kernel near‐infrared (SKNIR) spectroscopy combined with multivariate analysis for rapid and non‐destructive evaluation of protein, moisture, fat, fiber, and ash contents of pearl millet grains. Samples harvested from two consecutive years (2021 and 2022) were evaluated under dryland and irrigated conditions in Kansas State University, Agricultural Research Center, Hays (ARCH), KS and were analyzed using SKNIR and conventional laboratory methods. Model calibrations were developed using partial least squares regression. Results showed satisfactory performance of models with standard errors cross‐validation of 1.04%, 0.17%, 0.39%, 0.21%, and 0.16%, respectively, for protein, moisture, fat, fiber, and ash content. The findings suggest that SKNIR can be a potential tool for high‐throughput pearl millet composition screening efficiently, which will assist breeders and grain processors to optimize grain properties and enhance the grain quality and products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.] is an essential subsistence cereal for food security in dryland farming systems of the semiarid tropics (e.g., in sub‐Saharan Africa) and has improved tolerance to drought, heat, and salinity stress compared to other domesticated cereals. Assessing the variation on phenology is critical toward devising effective adaptative management strategies for crop adaptation to current and future climate change. In this context, pearl millet presents a vast genetic diversity, exhibiting sensitivity to temperature and photoperiod. Hence, this study aims to describe the genotypic variability in the phenological responses of pearl millet to temperature and photoperiod, particularly affecting leaf number with implications on the overall total time to flowering. The dataset encompassed 21 publications from seven countries, with experiments conducted from 1965 to 2023, including three field studies from the United States. Broad variability has been reported for phyllochron values ranging from 45 to 111°Cd leaf−1, with a mean value of 67°Cd leaf−1. Thermal time to panicle initiation ranged from 340 to 594°C, but no response to photoperiod duration was found due to the nature of dataset. Maximum number of leaves per shoot ranged from 11 to 25, showing response (1.55–2.15 leaf h−1) to photoperiod due to variations in thermal time to flowering (from 875 to 1346°Cd). Thermal time to flowering increased ca. 323°Cd h−1 under day durations longer than 13.3 h, below which basic vegetative phase duration was close to 1033°Cd. Based on the Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator simulations, different combinations of the above responses (in silico cultivars) generated a great range of times to flowering (44–120 days) for locations in Senegal, Brazil, India, and United States. The findings of this study can help breeders to explore the phenological genetic variability of pearl millet and provide inputs for crop growth models to evaluate future in silico scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] is an important component of agri‐food system in areas experiencing drought and high temperature and for increasing the resilience to climatic stresses and addressing malnutrition. The purpose of this review is to examine strategies for improving productivity, stress resilience, and nutritional quality of pearl millet and to understand its consumption pattern. Genetic diversification of hybrid parental lines remains strategically important to breed diverse, disease‐resistant and drought‐tolerant hybrids. Resistance to diseases, tolerance to drought, and high temperature and greater contents of iron and zinc are targeted in improving hybrid parental lines. Lodging resistance, compact panicles, panicle exertion, and improved seed set are universal traits, whereas duration, tillering ability, seed color, and seed size have a strong regional preference. The strategy of developing high‐yielding and disease‐resistant hybrids with adaptation to challenged agro‐ecologies has led to increase in yield from 303 to 1219 kg/ha between 1960 and 2020. Yield and stress resilience are to be increased further using conventional breeding and new tools like genomic selection, speed breeding, genome editing, and precision phenotyping. Mainstreaming grain nutritional traits, viz., iron and zinc contents in genetic improvement are essential to develop high‐yielding and nutrient‐rich pearl millet. There is need to enhance the consumption of pearl millet by strengthening existing value‐chain, providing consumer a choice of diverse range of food products, creating awareness about its health benefits and promotion through government schemes. Core Ideas: Pearl millet has an important role in increasing climatic resilience of agri‐food system and reducing malnutrition.Strategies of enhancing yield focused on hybrid development, disease resistance, and genetic diversification.Use of adapted germplasm and elite materials proved effective in amalgamating drought tolerance and productivity.In future, yield is to be increased along with resilience using conventional, genomics‐assisted, and speed breeding.There is need to enhance the consumption of nutritious pearl millet by strengthening value‐chain and creating awareness. Plain Language Summary: Pearl millet is an important component of agri‐food system in areas experiencing drought and high temperature. It would have a greater role in future for increasing the resilience to climate stresses and as nutrient‐rich crop for addressing malnutrition. The purpose of this review is to examine strategies for improving productivity, environmental resilience, and nutritional quality of pearl millet and to understand its consumption dynamics. Yield improvement remains a top priority in breeding high‐yielding cultivars. Strategies of enhancing yield were influenced by availability of new knowledge and opportunities. Programs up to 1960s focused on the development of open‐pollinating varieties using a diverse range of genetic resources. Discovery of cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS), availability of stable male‐sterile lines, and effective restorers created new opportunities to exploit heterosis at the commercial scale through the development of hybrids that provided 15%–20% yield advantage over traditional cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] is a climate‐resilient cereal crop widely grown in arid and semiarid environments and an important crop for food, fodder, and nutritional security. This study was aimed at evaluating genetic variation(s) for drought tolerance‐related traits in a set of 29 seed (B) and 27 restorer (R) lines and identifying pearl millet inbreds for hybrid development. Field experiments were conducted in a split‐plot in randomized complete block design with three replications for 2 years. Moisture regimes (irrigated and rainfed) were kept as main plot treatments, and the genotypes were used as subplot treatments. Principal component analysis and neighbor joining clustering revealed the presence of greater genetic diversity between B and R lines. Combined analysis of variance showed significant difference(s) between the lines, treatments, and years. Genotype + genotype × environment interaction biplot indicated the significant environment and treatment effect(s) on grain yield per plant, number of seeds per plant, and 1000‐grain weight. Rank summation index based on percentage reduction and multi‐trait stability index analyses for the above three traits identified the best adapted genotypes for rainfed conditions. Based on these analyses, seven seed parents (ARCH41B, ARCH01B, ARCH13B, ARCH44B, ARCH09B, ARCH24B, and ARCH30B) and six pollinators (ARCH36R, ARCH68R, ARCH22R, ARCH63R, ARCH50R, and ARCH60R) were identified as potential parents to develop high‐yielding and drought‐tolerant pearl millet hybrids for the semiarid tropics. Core Ideas: The objective of this study was to identify potential drought‐tolerant seed and pollinator lines for pearl millet hybrid development.The Presence of greater genetic diversity between the B and R lines of pearl millet was revealed.The Genotype plus genotype × environment interaction (GGE) biplot indicated the significant environment and treatment effect(s).Seven seed parents and six pollinators were identified as potential parents to develop high‐yielding hybrids for semiarid tropics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study assigned new germplasm, which includes populations and inbreds, to established heterotic groups using various approaches to broaden the existing genetic base while maintaining the heterotic pattern in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.]. It utilized 13 pearl millet populations of African and Asian origins and 24 new inbred parents from ICRISAT's breeding program. Testers, both inbred and composite, were employed to categorize these materials into heterotic groups. Different sets of line × tester crosses were generated and evaluated during the rainy season at multiple locations in India. The pearl millet populations were assigned to heterotic group B (seed parental groups) (HGB1 and HGB2) and heterotic group R (pollinator parental groups) (HGR1 and HGR2) based on general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability effects. Composite testers were found to be more effective for the heterotic grouping of pearl millet populations. New inbred lines were classified into HGB and HGR based on GCA and hybrid performance using opposite heterotic group testers and also using genetic similarity obtained from genotype‐by‐sequencing data.The new germplasm classified into heterotic groups will help enhance the genetic gain for the long‐term success of pearl millet hybrid breeding programs. Core Ideas: There is significant variation observed in pearl millet germplasm owing to its combining ability patterns.The specific combining ability effect had shown to be useful in determining the heterotic grouping of the pearl millet populations.Heterotic group composite testers exhibited higher breeding efficiency in classifying new populations into heterotic groups.Testcross performance, general combining ability effect, and single nucleotide polymorphism based genetic similarity were helpful in assigning inbred lines to heterotic group.The introduction of new germplasm into heterotic group will broaden the genetic base and enhance genetic gain in hybrid breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The United Nations declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets to highlight the value and importance of millets, which are cereals grown in arid and semi-arid regions with low inputs and high resilience to climate change. Millets contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in terms of food security, healthy diets, economic growth, responsible consumption, and climate action. Pearl millet is one of the most widely grown millets and plays a crucial role in achieving self-sufficiency and food security in dryland areas. It is a climate-resilient crop that is gluten-free and rich in essential micronutrients. This special issue of Crop Science covers various aspects of millet research, including crop improvement, phenotyping, crop physiology, management, nutritional quality, and grain composition. The goal is to promote global awareness of millets and their potential for diversifying and intensifying agricultural systems. Future research should focus on integrating disciplines, improving pre-breeding and phenotyping efforts, and expanding the use of millets for different purposes. Funding for this special issue was provided by the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Sustainable Intensification at Kansas State University. [Extracted from the article]

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] is one of the world's hardiest warm‐season cereal crop cultivated for food and animal feed in the semi‐arid tropics of Asia and Africa. This crop faces terminal drought during rainy and flowering‐stage heat stress during summer seasons. Blast is emerging as a serious threat affecting its production and productivity in India. Using wild P. violaceum (Lam) Rich. and pearl millet cultivars, prebreeding populations were developed following backcross method. These populations were evaluated in target ecologies in India at three locations during the 2018 summer season for flowering‐stage heat stress and at two locations during the 2018 rainy season for terminal drought stress. A total 18 introgression lines (ILs) from Population (Pop) 3 exhibited improved seed set under high heat stress vs. the cultivated parent, whereas no IL was better than the cultivated parent in Pop 4. Under rainfed conditions at Hisar and Bawal, India, 19 ILs from Pop 3 and 16 ILs from Pop 4 showed significantly higher dry fodder yield than the cultivated parents. Further, screening of ILs for five diverse pathotype isolates—Pg 45, Pg 138, Pg 186, Pg 204, and Pg 232—of blast resulted in the identification of resistant ILs. Use of these promising ILs in breeding programs will assist in developing new varieties and hybrids with improved tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. The study indicated the genetic differences between the parents involved in crossing and also highlighted the importance of precise phenotyping of wild species for target trait prior to use in prebreeding work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] is one of the world's hardiest warm‐season cereal crop and is cultivated mainly in the semi‐arid tropics of Asia and Africa for food, feed, fodder, and brewing. It is mainly cultivated for its gluten‐free grains with high content and better quality of nutrients. Pearl millet is a resilient crop that can produce grain and biomass under harsh conditions like low fertility, erratic rainfall, acidic and saline soils, and the hottest climates. However, biotic stresses such as downy mildew and blast diseases and abiotic stresses, especially drought and seedling‐ and flowering‐stage heat stress, pose constant threat to the realization of yield potential of this crop. To make further improvement in threshold level of abiotic and biotic stress tolerance, breeders are looking for novel genes in diverse germplasm sources. Crop wild relatives (CWRs) could be a source of novel genes that are important for diversification of the genetic base of pearl millet. A stage‐gate process is proposed for the efficient management of prebreeding programs using CWRs as a source of germplasm diversity and improvement. This article explains the various strategies for capturing and using alleles for climate resilience traits improvement. This article covers breeders' perspectives on importance of using CWRs as germplasm source for crop improvement. This article also describes the availability of CWRs, characterization of new traits and the strategies to be applied for the identification and introduction of genes of interest in elite breeding lines and commercial varieties and hybrids of pearl millet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manganese is an essential nutrient and plays key roles in photosynthetic processes, including in NAD‐malic enzyme (NAD‐ME)‐type C4 plants as an activator of NAD‐ME. However, little is known about the Mn requirements of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.). To study Mn requirements for optimum growth and biomass production, a lowland ('Alamo') and an upland ('Cave‐in‐Rock') switchgrass ecotype were grown with either washed sand, vermiculite, or perlite and fertilized with nutrient solutions ranging in [Mn] from 0 to 200 μM. In the perlite experiment, pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. 'KGraze'] was also grown. Shoot [Mn] was highly responsive to increasing Mn in the nutrient solution. When grown in washed sand and vermiculite, tissue [Mn] remained above those normally considered deficient, even in the 0 μM Mn treatment, and no Mn treatment effects on biomass production were found. In perlite, end‐of‐season shoot [Mn] were <5 mg kg−1 in all entries when no Mn was supplied, and a decrease in biomass production compared with 10–25 μM Mn treatments was observed for Alamo and KGraze, but not for Cave‐in‐Rock. Relative chlorophyll contents of switchgrass were lower in the 0 μM Mn treatment than in other treatments late in the season, but in KGraze, they were low early in the season and increased throughout the season, resulting in less pronounced (but still significant) differences at late stages. Overall, results indicated that switchgrass and pearl millet respond differently to low Mn availability and that even low levels of shoot tissue [Mn] allow switchgrass to maintain biomass production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] is a staple food crop of arid and semi‐arid regions of Asia and Africa. Forty‐five pearl millet populations of Asian and African origin were assessed for genetic diversity using 29 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. The SSR‐based clustering and structure analyses showed that Asian origin–Asian bred (As‐As) and African origin–African bred (Af‐Af) populations were distributed across seven clusters, indicating no strong relationship among populations with their geographical origin. Most of the African origin–Asian bred (Af‐As) populations had a higher average number of alleles per locus than As‐As or Af‐Af populations, and the majority of them clustered separately from As‐As or Af‐Af populations, indicating that introgression of African origin breeding materials led to the development of new gene pools adapted to the Asian region. Fourteen populations representing seven clusters were crossed according to a diallel mating design to generate 91 population hybrids (seeds of direct and reciprocal crosses were mixed) and evaluated at three locations in 2016. All the 91 hybrids when partitioned into three groups based on genetic distance (GD) between parental combinations (low, moderate, and high), revealed no correlation between GD and panmictic midparent heterosis in any of the groups, indicating that grain yield heterosis cannot be predicted based on GD. Two population hybrids (GB 8735 × ICMP 87307 and Sudan I × Ugandi) exhibited high levels of yield heterosis over standard checks and can be further utilized using different breeding schemes to develop high‐yielding pearl millet cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The declining Ogallala aquifer in the Texas High Plains may no longer meet the irrigation requirement to produce high water‐demanding forage crops like silage corn (Zea mays L.) to support a large number of beef and dairy enterprises. Forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) can be viable alternatives to silage corn due to their relative drought tolerance than silage corn. A field experiment was conducted at New Deal, TX to assess and compare the physiology, forage yield, and nutrient composition of the brown midrib (BMR) forage sorghum, BMR pearl millet, and corn under deficit irrigation in 2018 and 2019. The experiment was conducted in a split‐plot design with three irrigation levels (I0 [50 mm], I1 [200 mm], and I2 [350 mm]) as main‐plot and five cultivars (P1498AM [corn], AF7401 and Silo700D [BMR sorghum], and Epic and Exceed [BMR pearl millet]) as sub‐plot with four replications. The higher leaf water potential (LWP), stomatal conductance, and leaf area index resulted in greater biomass assimilation in I2 compared to I1 and I0 irrigation treatments in both years. Sorghum and pearl millet cultivars showed lower water status through lower LWP and canopy‐air temperature difference compared to corn cultivar. However, sorghum cultivars yielded greater fresh biomass than pearl millet and corn in both years. Lower lignin concentration and higher digestible energy were observed in corn, followed by pearl millet and sorghum. These results suggest that under water‐stress conditions BMR sorghum can produce higher forage yield with acceptable nutritive value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smallholder farmers in Sahelian West Africa (WA) grow pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] as a staple cereal in harsh and highly variable environments, predominantly relying on landraces or open‐pollinated varieties (OPVs) with an average grain yield of 648 kg ha−1 (2017). Encouraging initial results with experimental pearl millet population or topcross hybrids and the available diversity in its WA center of origin offer a great opportunity for a regionally coordinated hybrid breeding approach. This review is therefore meant to summarize information on pearl millet hybrid breeding with emphasis on WA and to suggest a unified strategy as a way forward. Observed average better‐parent heterosis ranged from 4–18% and 0–88% in population and topcross hybrids, respectively, across several studies, and the yield stability was comparable with or better than the parental OPVs. Diversity and combining ability studies pointed at eastern and western WA as promising starting points for systematic development of heterotic groups. Building on respective groups, reciprocal recurrent selection in combination with integration of further adapted genetic resources is recommended to systematically diversify and build up the heterotic parental pools, increase combining ability to the opposite group, and create a continuous output of OPV and hybrid varieties. Molecular markers supporting cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) introgression are available, and genomic tools can improve hybrid prediction. Regarding the unpredictability and intensity of biotic and abiotic stresses, heterogeneous population and topcross hybrids appear most suitable to sustainably increase pearl millet yields and give maximal benefits to WA farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diets of West African (WA) smallholder farmers are built on pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.]. Sustainable pearl millet hybrid breeding is challenging in WA, mostly due to an extensive genetic diversity combined with a high degree of admixture. In the absence of natural heterotic groups, understanding combining ability patterns can enable systematic development of heterotic groups and make sustainable hybrid breeding feasible. The objectives of this study were to evaluate heterosis and combining ability patterns and their relationship with genetic distance among WA pearl millets based on population hybrids, and to derive conclusions for future breeding programs. Therefore, 17 open‐pollinated varieties (OPVs) were crossed in a diallel mating design and tested together with their offspring in nine environments over 2 yr in Niger and Senegal. Genetic distances between the OPVs were evaluated with twenty microsatellite markers. Average panmictic better‐parent heterosis (PBPH) was 18% (1–47%) for panicle yield. A principal coordinate analysis based on genotyping results separated parental OPVs clearly by geographic origin. Although there was no relationship between genetic distance among OPVs and PBPH, we confirmed good combining ability among selected OPVs from Niger vs. Senegal. The identified cultivars (Nigerien CIVT, H80‐10Gr, and Taram and Senegalese Thialack 2 and Souna 3) with high combining ability are recommended for founding divergent heterotic pools targeting long‐panicle pearl millet hybrids. Our study shows the benefits of population hybrids and represents an important step to identify combining ability patterns and initial heterotic groups for WA pearl millet hybrid breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum L.) is an important drought‐tolerant crop cultivated on marginal soils under diverse environmental conditions. Its grains are nutritionally superior to those of major cereals. Knowledge of the variability in agronomic and nutritional traits is important to identify germplasm for use in crop improvement and by farmers. Two hundred kodo millet accessions were evaluated in 2 yr during the rainy season to assess variability for morphoagronomic and grain nutritional traits and to identify high grain‐yielding and nutrient‐rich accessions. Large variability was observed for important traits including days to maturity, grain yield, and Fe, Zn, Ca, and protein content with moderate to high heritability. Three kodo millet races did not differ significantly for grain yield or Fe, Zn, Ca, and protein content. For Zn, Fe, protein, and Ca, 78.5, 75.0, 67.5, and 54.0% of accessions, respectively, were consistent between the years, indicating the relative sensitivity of these nutrients to the environment and genotype × environment interaction. Considering data of both the years separately, 50 promising trait‐specific accessions were identified, including those for early maturity (8 accessions), greater 100‐seed weight (10), high grain yield (15), Fe (8), Zn (14), Ca (6) and protein content (7), and 10 with a combination of agronomic and nutritional traits. The extensive multilocation evaluation of these high‐yielding, nutrient‐rich accessions would be useful to identify promising genotypes for direct cultivar release or for use in crop improvement to contribute to the food and nutritional security of resource‐poor farmers in a changing climate scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of inbred lines with high general combining ability (GCA) is an important aspect of hybrid breeding research. Although broadbased open-pollinated populations (varieties and composites) are widely used to assess GCA of inbred lines and population progenies, identification of the most effective testers has remained a continuing challenge. Two broadbased and diverse populations of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] were crossed with 14 diverse inbred lines in each of two experiments to produce 56 topcross hybrids, which were evaluated along with their parental lines for grain Fe and Zn densities. Results showed that there was highly significant and moderately high positive correlation between the topcross hybrid performance per se (a measure of GCA) produced with the two testers, both for Fe and Zn densities in both experiments. However, the correlation between performance per se of lines and their topcross hybrids averaged over both testers (giving more reliable estimates of GCA than individual testers) was even higher for both micronutrients and in both experiments. Thus, while each tester was effective in identifying 30 to 35% of the top-ranking high general combiners as reflected in topcross hybrid performance, line performance per se was even more effective in identifying these top-ranking combiners for both micronutrients in both experiments, indicating that based on performance per se lines can be selected for high GCA of Fe and Zn densities in pearl millet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Downy mildew (DM), caused by Sclerospora graminicola (Sacc.) Schröt., is a highly destructive and widespread disease in most pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] growing areas of Asia and Africa. Breeding for DM resistance continues to be an integral part of genetic improvement of pearl millet at ICRISAT, Patancheru, India. For the identification of new and diverse sources of DM resistance, a pearl millet mini core collection comprising 238 accessions was screened against eight pathotypes (Sg 384, Sg 409, Sg 445, Sg 457, Sg 510, Sg 519, Sg 526, and Sg 542) of S. graminicola collected from different geographical locations in India. Significant differences for DM reaction were observed among pathotypes, mini core accessions, and their interactions. Of the 238 accessions, 68 accessions were resistant (≤10% DM incidence) to pathotype Sg 510 followed by 40 accessions resistant to Sg 457. Resistance to pathotypes Sg 519, Sg 526, Sg 384, Sg 445, and Sg 542 was observed in 15, 27, 29, 30, and 34 mini core accessions, respectively. Resistance to two or more pathotypes was observed in 62 accessions. Several of these accessions also exhibited desirable agronomic traits. The multiple- pathotype-resistant germplasm accessions having desirable agronomic characteristics and collected from different agro-ecologies would be useful in breeding programs to develop pearl millet hybrids resistant to difficult-to-manage highly-virulent pathotypes of S. graminicola. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three types of seed samples (selfed, sibbed and open pollinated) can be used for mineral analysis in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] and other cross-pollinated crops. Cost effectiveness and reliability of mineral estimates in these types of seed samples have a direct bearing on breeding efficiency. Three sets of experiments using a diverse range of materials were conducted to examine the potential use of selfed and open pollinated (OP) seed samples for the analysis of grain Fe and Zn density in pearl millet. The results of this study showed that reduction in seed set under selfing, a genotype- dependent typical trait of this crop, led to significant and large overestimates of Fe and Zn density, indicating that selfed seeds cannot be used for reliable estimation of grain Fe and Zn density. There was no significant difference between the sibbed and crossed seeds, indicating that there was no xenia effect. Differences among the sibbed and OP seeds for Fe, Zn, and Al density were small in magnitude and not always significant, indicating that dust contamination was not a significant factor determining Fe and Zn density. Since production of OP seed is most cost effective, it can be used for reliable estimation of Fe and Zn density when dealing with a large number of breeding lines, thereby enhancing the breeding efficiency for these micronutrients in pearl millet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] was domesticated in Sahelian West Africa. This highly outcrossing crop is one of the most important staple cereals in the semiarid tropics, adapted to very harsh rain-fed conditions. Agro-morphological characterization of local germplasm is very important to better understand existing diversity, ease targeted genetic broadening of breeding populations, and potentially link this knowledge to genotypic information. The objectives of our study were to (i) characterize West and Central African (WCA) pearl millet accessions based on their agro-morphological traits; (ii) evaluate the possibility to group accessions based on their agro-morphological characteristics; (iii) determine geographic patterns of phenotypic differentiation; and (iv) derive conclusions for pearl millet improvement in WCA. A total of 360 early-tomedium maturity accessions were phenotyped for 12 agro-morphological traits at six environments in WCA. Wide ranges of all observed traits indicated a high diversity of the tested accessions. Principal component analysis revealed very large diversity within individual countries, especially within Mali and Burkina Faso. Some limited grouping of accessions from Niger, Senegal, Cameroon, Morocco, and Mauritania was observed for individual principal component axes. Geographical differentiation and country differences were detected for several traits. The results and data presented in our study reflect WCA pearl millets' tremendous diversity and adaptability to a wide range of environments and give a sound basis for breeders to select and utilize this germplasm to serve the manifold needs of WCA pearl millet farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br] is a food security crop for millions living in drylands of Africa and Asia. Its production on acid sandy soils of the Sahel is limited by erratic rainfall and poor soil fertility, especially low P soils. We sought to elucidate the genetic variation in West and Central African landrace-derived inbred lines for grain yield under low P conditions, to determine their performance as inbred lines per se and in hybrid combinations, and to determine quantitative-genetic parameters to derive an appropriate breeding strategy to enhance grain yield under low P conditions. We evaluated a total of 155 landrace-derived inbred lines as well as their testcrosses in four locations during two years under two treatments, high P (HP; with P fertilization) and low P (LP; without P fertilization). Results revealed significant effects for genotypes, P-level, genotype × P-level, as well as genotype × environment interactions. Grain yield reductions under LP treatment ranged from 7.9 to 35.5%, and 11.2 to 60.9% for inbred lines and testcrosses respectively, with positive midparent heterosis averaging 43.5% under LP. We conclude that direct selection of testcrosses under LP is more effective and that indirect selection for testross performance from inbred line performance is not desirable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] is grown under a wide range of environmental conditions in India. The All India Coordinated Pearl Millet Improvement Project (AICPMIP) has the responsibility of testing and releasing pearl millet cultivars adapted to such conditions. As a part of this process, AICPMIP has divided the entire pearl millet growing regions into three different zones (A1, A, and B) based on the rainfall pattern and local adaptation of the crop. This study was conducted to define the presently used test locations into possible mega-environments and to identify essential test locations for cost-effective evaluation of pearl millet cultivars. Grain yield data of different sets of 34 to 45 medium-maturity pearl millet hybrids tested at 29 to 34 locations during 2006 to 2008 were analyzed using genotype main effects and genotype × environment interaction biplot method. Two distinct pearl millet mega-environments with consistent grouping of locations across the years and corresponding to AICPMIP's designated A and B zones were identified. No such consistent grouping of locations corresponding to AICPMIP's designated A1 zone was, however, observed. Based on the discriminating ability, uniqueness, and research resources, 13 locations were identified as essential test locations for evaluation across the two megaenvironments. Testing at these locations appeared to provide good coverage of the whole pearl millet growing areas of India. Based on these findings, it is suggested to conduct initial yield trials at identified 13 locations across all the pearl millet growing zones represented by two mega-environments followed by testing of selected hybrids with specific adaptation in their respective adaptation zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aimed to study the dynamics of chromosome elimination from both parents in four interspecific hybrids (P1, H89, H40, and H42) originated from crosses between Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach.) (2n = 4x = 28) and pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] (2n = 2x = 14) after chromosome doubling. Large variation in somatic chromosome number was verified among and within hybrids. In P1 and H89, chromosome elimination was much less intense than in H40 and H42. Genomic in situ hybridization analysis revealed biparental and random elimination. The differences in chromosome number between P1-H89 and H42-H40 groups can be mainly attributed to the elimination of chromosomes from Napier grass. Higher ploidy level and homeology between genomes A and A' are considered forces underlying the process of elimination. Effect of parental genotype is also taken into account to explain the differences in chromosome elimination. Potential of the partial hexaploid hybrids for Napier grass breeding is also discussed here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which evaluates whether crosses between African elite composites and Indian pearl millet landraces provide any advantage over landraces. The study shows that more than one-third of the crosses had greater stover and grain yields compared to their landrace parent. Results reveal that Indian landraces hybridization having elite composites based on African germplasm is a useful strategy to enhance stover and biomass under drought-prone conditions.

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] exhibits enormous genetic diversity in the global germplasm collection. The pearl millet core collection (-10% of the entire collection), with 2094 accessions, is still large for precise evaluation to identify parents for a genetic improvement pro- gram. A minicore collection of pearl millet comprising 238 accessions was constituted by using data on 10 qualitative and 8 quantitative traits of 2094 core collection accessions. The hierarchical cluster analysis of data using a phenotypic distance matrix resulted in 136 clusters. A proportional sampling strategy with 10% or a mini- mum of one accession from each cluster was used to form the minicore collection. The comparison of data in the minicore and core collections using various statistical parameters, such as homogeneity of distribution for geographical origin and frequency classes of qualitative traits, means, median, within and between-accession variances, diversity index, and phenotypic correlations, indicated that almost the entire genetic variation present in the core collection was captured in the minicore collection. The possible impact of high between- and within-accession variability in pearl millet on maintenance of genebank accessions is discussed. With its greatly reduced size, the pearl millet minicore collection can be used for precise evaluation of traits of agronomic importance and biotic and abiotic stresses as well as mapping with molecular markers for identification of trait-specific germplasm and discovery of new genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apospory in Pennisetum squamulatum Fresen is inherited as a single-locus dominant trait. Molecular analysis has identified the apospory-specific genomic region (ASGR), a large segment of one chromosome that is necessary and sufficient to confer apomixis. To transfer apospory from P. squamulatum to pearl millet [P. glaucum (L.) R. Br.], advanced backcrosses were generated. Here we report the characterization of apomictic BC7 and BC8 generations. A BC7-derived genotype has two P. squamulatum chromosomes, while BC8-derived apomictic lines inherited only the ASGR chromosome that confers apospory to pearl millet. Morphologically, no significant differences were observed between backcross generations for plant height, leaf length, leaf width, and first internode and inflorescence lengths. However, the BC7 and BC8 lines differed significantly with regard to pollen viability, flowering time, and seed set. Pollen viability increased to 81% in the BC8 lines compared with 37% in BC7. The frequency of aposporous embryo sacs was lower in BC8 (79%) lines compared to BC7 (93%). Meiotic behavior of chromosomes during metaphase I and anaphase I showed that BC8 typically had a single univalent, identified as the ASGR chromosome by FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) and GISH (genomic in situ hybridization). Utilizing its unique behavior during meiosis the ASGR chromosome was microdissected and a chromosome-specific library was constructed and sequenced. Analysis of sequences identified both novel and previously known ASGRlinked sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pearl millet marker-assisted selection (MAS) programs targeting adaptation to variable postflowering moisture environments would benefit from quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that improve grain yield across the full range of postflowering moisture conditions, rather than just in drought-stressed environments. This research was undertaken to identify such QTLs from an extensive (12-environment) phenotyping data set that included both stressed and unstressed postflowering environments. Genetic materials were test crosses of 79 F2-derived F4 progenies from a mapping population based on a widely adapted maintainer line (ICMB 841) × a postflowering drought-tolerant maintainer (863B). Three QTLs (on linkage group [LG] 2, LG 3, and LG 4) were identified as primary candidates for MAS for improved grain yield across variable postflowering moisture environments. The QTLs on LG 2 and LG 3 (the most promising) explained a useful proportion (13–25%) of phenotypic variance for grain yield across environments. They also co-mapped with QTLs for harvest index across environments, and with QTLs for both grain number and individual grain mass under severe terminal stress. Neither had a significant QTL × environment interaction, indicating that their predicted effects should occur across a broad range of available moisture environments. We have estimated the benefits in grain yield and accompanying changes in yield components and partitioning indices that would be expected as a result of incorporating these QTLs into other genetic backgrounds by MAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pearl millet [Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke] is an annual warm season (C4) grass that has a high yield potential during summers when cool season species are heat-stressed and unproductive. In two field trials, 650 kg round bales were made from long (>100 cm) or short (chopped) (≈5 cm) forage and at bale chamber pressures of 421 or 842 × 103 Pa. After 24 h of wilting, forage moisture concentrations at Trial 1 and Trial 2 were 771 and 583 g kg-1, respectively. The higher baling pressure increased both mass and density of bales (P < 0.05). Length of cut had no effect on bale weight or density. Core temperatures were lower in higher density bales when the concentration of forage moisture was lower. Water-soluble carbohydrate concentrations were lower in silages made from the shorter forages (P = 0.013). Nutritive value of silage decreased during 8 mo of storage regardless of treatment. Baling chamber pressure and forage chopping treatments did not affect neutral detergent fiber (NDF) or in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of post-storage silage. Acidity of silage ranged from pH 4.13 to 5.31. Lactic acid concentrations were lowest in silage in Trial 1 made from the wetter forage (771 g kg-1) when chopped to 100 cm. Listeria was present in bales made from the wetter forage. Clostridium botulinum was detected in silage made from chopped forage when baled at low chamber pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents the registered germplasms. Registration of Hessian Fly resistant wheat germplasm line; Recording of the three partial waxy winter wheat; Registration of NPM-4, a dwarf white grain pearl millet germplasm.

Location, year, and water supply influence the relationship between grain yield and yield components of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br] and grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. Field experiments were conducted in 2000 and 2001 on a silt loam soil in semiarid western Nebraska and on a silty clay loam soil in subhumid eastern Nebraska to determine how environment (location, year, water regime) influences number of panicles per square meter, kernel weight, and kernels per panicle in determining grain yield of pearl millet and grain sorghum. Grain yield components were examined by analysis of variance, correlation, and path analysis. Four water regimes were used: (i) no irrigation, (ii) single irrigation at boot stage, (iii) single irrigation at mid-grain fill, and (iv) multiple irrigations. Grain sorghum produced from 109 to 212 g m-2 greater yield than pearl millet in all environments in western Nebraska and 52 to 150 g m-2 greater yield in eastern Nebraska. Correlation and path analysis direct effects indicated that the number of kernels per panicle (R from 0.36–0.93; P from 0.21–0.45) and kernel weight (R from 0.46–0.89;, P from 0.46–0.73) were associated with grain yield for both crops at both locations, but in the path analysis, kernel weight was more highly associated with grain yield for grain sorghum (P from 0.65–0.73) than the number of kernels per panicle (P from 0.21 and 0.32). Plant breeding and production research to increase pearl millet and grain sorghum yield should consider all yield components, but increased emphasis on kernel weight is merited for grain sorghum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] cultivars derive from a narrow gene pool, and studies of genetic diversity in Pennisetum germplasm suggest promising opportunities for the use of undomesticated materials for improving pearl millet varieties. However, efficient utilization of wild germplasm will require effective DNA markerbased fingerprinting strategies for rapid assessment of genetic relationships. The present study aims at development and utilization of a collection of microsatellite (SSR, simple sequence repeat) markers for assessing the genetic diversity of 53 lines of millet. A small insert genomic library was screened with a (CT)[sub 15] oligonucleotide probe. A total of 34 (CT)[sub n]-containing clones were identified, and specific primers were designed for 18 of these. Of 18 new microsatellites developed as a part of this work, 11 were used to estimate the genetic diversity, along with 19 from other sources. Cluster analysis by the unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic averages (UPGMA) showed two major and eight minor clusters, suggesting that the millet germplasm could readily be distinguished by UPGMA. The coefficients of genetic distance among germplasm lines were high and averaged D = 0.60 (range 0.28-0.92). Genetic diversity averaged 0.38. These results demonstrated that genotypes with potential traits are maximally different from the cultivated gene pool and could readily be distinguished. Development and utilization of polymerase-chain-reaction-(PCR)based markers such as SSRs is a valuable asset for estimating genetic diversity, the identification of unique genotypes as potentially important new sources of alleles for enhancing important characteristics, and analyzing the evolutionary and historical development of cultivars at the genomic level in pearl millet breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] landraces provide nutritional quality and security under the harsh environmental conditions of Rajasthan, India. Using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), this study investigated pearl millet genetic diversity patterns and related the results to farmers' local knowledge and seed systems. Thirty-nine cultivars were assessed: 14 farmer landraces from western Rajasthan, 13 farmer landraces from eastern Rajasthan, and 12 control cultivars. Shannons' information index for western (H = 0.34) and eastern (H = 0.32) Rajasthan landraces was up to 14% higher than in composite-based improved cultivars. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that variation within landrace populations was much higher than between regional samples. In the west, intra-village variation was higher than inter-village variation. In the east, variation between landrace groups bearing a specific name was higher than intra-group variation. Gene flow, inferred from genetic distances between populations, was used as an indicator for seed exchange between farmers. In western Rajasthan, seed exchange appears to be especially dynamic, as gene flow was greater than N[sub e]m = 25 among most of its populations. Farmers' knowledge of local cultivars and seed systems was, for the most part, supported by the AFLP analysis. These results are relevant for in situ maintenance and breeding strategies with a view to improving traditional cultivars, specifically performance and yielding stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the desert region of Rajasthan, India, farmers mainly grow pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] landraces. The adoption of modern cultivars is generally low because of their poor adaptation to extreme drought stress. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of six elite breeding populations and three landraces and to determine the heterotic pattern among the 36 diallel crosses of those populations. Field experiments were conducted in eight environments in India. Mean grain yields (GYs) in the three environments with favorable growing conditions were double to threefold those in the three arid environments. The elite populations generally showed higher GY than the landraces; stover yield (SY) was similar in both population types. The landraces flowered earlier, had a higher tillering potential, and smaller seeds. Mean level of midparent heterosis was generally low, ranging from 0.85% for time to flowering (TF) to 6.57% for SY. For GY, expression of heterosis for individual population crosses was between -14 and +30% under drought stress, and between -9 and +17% in the favorable environments. For SY, mean heterosis was always positive and higher than for GY. The elite × landrace population crosses with high mean GY and high levels of heterosis under drought stress could be beneficial to widen the germplasm base and to combine the high yield potential of elite materials with the good adaptation of the landraces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (R) Br.] is a promising alternative grain crop for the Southeast and mid-South regions of the USA, but additional-N fertility information is needed to optimize its production. Identification of a critical tissue N level at early growth stages is necessary to determine the need for subsequent applications of N. Field experiments were conducted to determine the response of hybrid 'HGM 100' grain yield, protein yield, and shoot N concentration to N application rate and to determine the relationship of grain yield and protein yield with shoot N concentration at different growth stages. Grain yield response to N fertilizer applications from 0 to 168 kg ha[sup -1], in 34-kg increments, varied among five field environments ranging from sandy loam to silty clay loam soils and resulted in a moderately low correlation (r² = 0.36). Relative total protein yield was more consistent (r² = 0.67). Tissue N concentration of shoots harvested 44 ± 4 d after seeding [early boot(EB)] was related to relative grain yield (r² = 0.65). A critical N concentration of 31 g kg[sup -1] dry matter (dm), determined by regression and "old" Cate-Nelson procedures, resulted in optimum grain yield. On a per hectare basis, total relative protein yield also correlated moderately high with shoot tissue N concentration at EB (r² = 0.70). The use of Care-Nelson procedures determined a critical N concentration in shoot tissue at EB of 32 g kg[sup -1] dm. Determination of a critical N level at an earlier growth stage resulted in low correlations with yield parameters. On the basis of critical values at the EB stage, N amendments could possibly be applied in time to enhance some yield components, although the effective application window is narrow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping for resistance to downy mildew in pearl millet. Indication on an artificial glasshouse screening method on breeding for resistance; Associations between F⊂4 family means and marker genotypes; Consequence on the degree of normality on the disease distribution.

Examines population diallel of elite medium- and long-duration pearl millet composites. Parental population effects; Differences in parental general combining abilities (GCA); Ranks for GCA for grain yield across test environments.

Evaluates the use of the pearl millet Pennisetum glaucum monodii germplasm in increasing dry matter yield and extending the growing period of forage hybrids. Consistence in superior late-season production; Variation in the production of dry matter; Presence of genes enhancing the level and distribution of yield.

Examines the effects of phosphorous and water supply on yield, transpirational water-use efficiency and carbon isotope discrimination of pearl millet. Square values and level of significance of analysis of variance (ANOVA) for dry matter of different plan organs at harvest, transpirational water-use efficiency and carbon-isotope discrimination of necrotic leaves.

Studies the response to selection for increased individual grain mass in pearl millet. Analyses of variance for individual grain mass, grain yield and grain number after two cycles of SI; Cycle means for individual grain mass, grain yield and grain number.

Evaluates the hypothesis that incorporating recessive genes for flowering-day length insensitivity of pearl millet will synchronize flowering times in pearl millet. Isolene of the late-flowering parent plants producing six backcrosses; Periods of flowering observed from the plants with incorporated genes.

Studies the relative predictive value of leaf mineral concentration and specific leaf weight for transpiration efficiency differences among peanut and pearl millet genotypes. Mineral concentration in the dry matter; C isotope discrimination analyses results; Transpiration ratio; Correlation between mineral uptake and atmospheric conditions.

Evaluates the progress resistance to different races of the pathogen and changes in unselected traits in pearl millet. Base population; Variability for agronomic traits; Evaluation of resistance to Pyricularia grisea; Mean and range of rust severity.

Analyzes the magnitude of heterosis for forage production and dry matter digestibility in African landraces of pearl millet. Limited animal production due to the shortage of quality forage in the semiarid regions of Africa; Use of the randomized complete-block design; Use of the Gardner-Eberhart analysis for the estimation of the missing cross.

Investigates the prevalence of smut resistance and grain yield in pearl millet hybrids, with focus on the Tr locus. Details on the production of eight hybrids using trichomed inbreds Tift 90DBE and Tift 8677; Reduction of smut severity in inoculated panicles; Information on the uses of marker-assisted selection; Reference made to the trichomeless character in peal millet.

Examines whether cytoplasms from a wild grassy subspecies of pearl millet, Pennisetum glaucum R. Br. subspecies monodii influenced hybrid dry matter yield. Origin of cytoplasms; Head length and plant maturity; Plant regeneration in wheat.

This article presents information on the registration of pearl millet parental line Tift 454. The U.S. Department of Agriculture-ARS and the University of Georgia Coastal Plain Experiment Station at Tifton, Georgia, cooperatively developed and released in December 2003 pearl millet parental line Tift 454. Seeds of Tift 454 are brownish gray. Plants are 0.8 to 1.0 m in height at maturity and are at 50% anthesis in 54 to 57 d after planting. Tift 454 has one or more A-genome chromosomes from Pennisetum purpurewn which are homologous to the A-genome chromosomes of pearl millet. Tift 454 shows high resistance to two root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne areniaria Chitwood and Meloidogyne incognita Chitwood. Egg counts for Meloidogyne incognita were 54863, 13950, 72 150, and 75 per pot for Tift 99B, TifGrain 102, HGM-100, and Tift 454, respectively. Small quantities of seed are available for research purposes, including development and commercialization of new cultivars until November 2010. Inbreds will be released under a limited or exclusive arrangement.

This article presents information about the newly registered two breeding dwarf grain germplasm lines of pearl millet, designated as NPM-5 and NPM-6. Registration numbers and PI numbers of these germplasm lines are: GP-39 , PI 634546 and GP-40, PI 634547, respectively. These dwarf grain germplasms containing the A4 cytoplasmic-nuclear male sterile system with its respective nuclear restoration gene, reportedly, were released by the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, in November 2003. NPM-5 was developed by random mating 17 A4 R4 parental breeding lines developed in the University of Nebraska breeding program in 1999. These parent lines were developed from six selfed F1 hybrids and two open-pollinated bulks of an early generation 91M54026A4 line grown in the 1992 Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, winter nursery. NPM-6 was derived by intermating 37 A4 R4 parental breeding lines developed in the University of Nebraska breeding program.

Reports on the release of dwarf grain pearl millet seed parents by the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Nebraska. Availability and main advantages of the seed parents; Combining ability for grain yield.

Reports on the release of dwarf grain pearl millet inbred male fertility restorer R-line NM-7R[sub 1]R[sub 5], by the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Nebraska in May 1998. Plant description; Main advantages as a pollen parent.

Provides information on the release of registration of pearl millet parental lines ICMA 89111 and ICMB 89111. Name of the organization that released the parental lines; Origin of the parental lines; Description of the lines.

Presents information on the registration of the parental lines of pearl millet and sugar beet. Types of pearl millet and sugar beet developed; Method used in the registration process; Benefits of these varieties.

Investigates whether interspecific hybrid seeds of pearl millet and napiergrass could be produced on a commercial scale in a tropical climate. Identification of major environmental and production factors affecting production; Potential of interspecific hybrids; What successful production on interspecific hybrids depend upon; Methodology and results of the study.