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Drought presents a major risk to wheat growth and productivity under changing climates. During the last few years, various morphological and physiological approaches were used to overcome drought stress-associated problems. Cultivation of tolerant wheat cultivars can serve as a sustainable choice to raise wheat yield under water stress. Herein, field trials were carried out at the experimental farm of Ismailia Agricultural Research Station, Egypt, in two successive growing seasons (2020/2021 and 2021/2022) to investigate the response of four Egyptian bread wheat cultivars (Misr 1, Misr 3, Giza 171, and Sakha 95) to drought stress according to morpho-physiological characteristics, yield, and stress indices. Irrigation treatments and cultivars were assigned to the main and sub-plots, consequently, in a split-plot design with three replicates. The findings revealed that in both the first and second seasons, drought drastically revoked growth vigor of shoot, growth vigor of flag leaf, relative water content (%), membrane stability index (%), photosynthetic pigments, heading (days), maturity (days), as well as yield and yield attributes: spike length, number of spikes/m2, spike weight, grain number/spike, 100-kernel weight, grain yield/m2, straw yield/m2, biological yield/m2, and harvest index of all four wheat cultivars. Conversely, drought caused a marked increase in saturation water deficit (%), carotenoids content, and NKP uptake of all four wheat cultivars in both study seasons. The current study found that all four of the wheat cultivars were drought-tolerant plants. These cultivars exhibited similar drought-tolerant behaviors, which included decreased loss in relative water content, membrane stability, and photosynthetic pigment levels, consequently reducing wheat grain yield loss under water stress. Additionally, the drought tolerance indices of Sakha 95 > Giza 171 > Misr 1 > Misr 3 were revealed by the stress sensitivity index (SSI), mean productivity (MP), stress tolerance index (STI), and yield stability index (YSI). In conclusion, Misr 3 was the least tolerant wheat cultivar and Sakha 95 was the most tolerant. These results can be applied to breeding programs by plant breeders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research investigates the genetic diversity of finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.), a nutrient-rich crop vital for sustainable agriculture and food security. Sixteen qualitative traits, including growth habits, pigmentation, and grain attributes, were examined among 150 accessions, shedding light on the diversity within the germplasm. The study quantified and interpreted trait relationships using the Shannon-Weaver Diversity Index and Spearman's Rank Correlation. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed the pivotal traits shaping genetic diversity. Most genotypes exhibited decumbent growth habit and diverse leaf sheath pubescence intensities. Round-shaped grains predominated with copper brown as a common color among grain traits. Pericarp persistence remained consistent among all genotypes. The Shannon-Weaver Diversity Index highlighted varying levels of diversity among traits, with 'ear head shape' exhibiting the highest diversity. Spearman's Rank Correlation exposed relationship between leaf sheath pubescence and seed shattering, emphasizing the importance of trait management in crop breeding. These results provide insights into genetic diversity within finger millet germplasm and its potential application in developing resilient and productive cultivars, addressing food security and sustainability challenges in agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) is one of the most important crops in arid and semi-arid regions that are cultivated for grain and forage. Due to cross pollination and high heterosis, the development of hybrid varieties is the most important breeding method of pearl millet. In order to study the preliminary yield comparison of hybrid cultivars and investigate the possibility of replacing openpollinated cultivars with hybrid cultivars, 11 promising pearl millet hybrid cultivars with a check variety (Mehran cultivar) were planted in the randomized complete block design with three replications in Karaj, Isfahan and Zabul. The days to 50% flowering, plant height, stem diameter, leaves number, panicle length, panicle thickness, tiller number, fresh fodder yield, dry matter yield, 1000 seed weight, and seed yield were evaluated. The results of combined variance analysis and mean comparisons showed that there is considerable genetic diversity for the studied traits. The results showed that the cultivars H294, H444, H504, H604, H824, and H794 had the highest grain yield compared to the total mean of the experiment. In addition, five cultivars H543, H333, H353, H563, and H604 were above of total average in terms of fodder production and had good potential to be used in the field as commercial cultivars with the aim of fodder and seed production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was undertaken to evaluate parameters of variability and correlation analysis on the basis of morphological traits in 100 pearl millet inbred lines grown at PAU, Ludhiana during kharif 2020. The ANOVA depicted the significant genetic variability present in the inbred lines evaluated for the eight morphological traits viz., days to 50% flowering, plant height, ear length, ear girth, number of tillers per plant, stover yield, grain filling and grain yield. The phenotypic coefficients were slightly higher than genotypic coefficients of variability, depicting the role of environment in influencing the traits. High PCV and GCV were observed for most of the traits. High heritability and genetic advance estimates were recorded for plant height, stover yield, grain filling and grain yield unveiling the preponderance of additive gene effects in inheritance of these traits. Further, correlation coefficients were computed which revealed a positive significant association of plant height with ear length, stover yield and grain yield, reflecting the importance of these traits in pearl millet improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cluster bean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.], with vernacular name of Guar, is annual, economically important and drought-hardy legume (Mondal and Gera, 2020) salinity tolerant grown under semiarid and subtropical regions. It is cultivated under both irrigated and rainfed condition in India (Rathod et al. 2020). India is its major producer, accounting for 80% of world's total production (Meena et al., 2018). Cluster bean is grown in India on 5.60 Mha and produces of 2.82 million tonnes with a low national average yield of merely 504 kg/ha (Anonymous, 2019). Methods: The experiments were conducted at the Agronomy Farm, College of Agriculture, SK Rajasthan Agricultural University (SKRAU), Bikaner during kharif seasons of 2018 and 2019. The Farm is situated on Bikaner - Sriganganagar road situated at 28421 NL latitude and 732017 EL longitude with an altitude of 234.7 meters above the mean sea level. The experiment was laid out in strip plot design in three factors with 32 treatments comprising four tillage, two herbicide and four planting delay treatments. Statistical analysis by using STAR (R-Packages 1.5 STAR 2.0.) (Statistical Tool for Agricultural Research), software developed by Department of Plant Breeding Genetics and Biotechnology, IRRI (International Rice Research Institute), Manila, Phillipines. Result: The disc plough (T2), control (H0) and early planting P1 (July 10) significantly increased N, P, K, total nutrient uptake and partial nutrient balance (PBN) than other treatments. All the interactions were found significant in nutrient of cluster bean. The seed and straw yield of cluster bean was found significantly higher in disc plough (T2), control (H0) and early planting P1 (July 10) compared to other treatments of pooled basis. The interactions were found significant between tillage × herbicide × planting delay in yield of cluster bean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pearl millet, a vital staple food and an important cereal, is emerging as crop having various end-uses as feed, food as well as fodder. Advancement in high-throughput sequencing technology has boosted up pearl millet genomic research in past few years. The available draft genome of pearl millet providing an insight into the advancement of several breeding lines. Comparative and functional genomics have untangled several loci and genes regulating adaptive and agronomic traits in pearl millet. Additionally, the knowledge achieved has far away from being applicable in real breeding practices. We believe that the best path ahead is to adopt genome-based approaches for tailored designing of pearl millet as multi-functional crop with outstanding agronomic traits for various end uses. Presently review highlight several novel concepts and techniques in crop breeding, and summarize the recent advances in pearl millet genomic research, peculiarly genome-wide association dissections of several novel alleles and genes for agronomically important traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutrient uptake at harvest (N, P, K and Zn) was calculated as a product of corresponding nutrient content and dry matter accumulation. The control plot with no Zinc application registered lowest Zn uptake (674.6 g ha-1). Agronomic bio-fortification is a promising and cost -- effective measure to increase zinc concentration in cereal grains and to address Zn malnutrition (Rakshit et al., 2013). Pearl millet is an indispensable and widely cultivated dual purpose (food and fodder) crop, across the length and breadth of arid and semi-arid regions of India. [Extracted from the article]

The article presents a study on influence of agro-meteorological variables on downy mildew development in pearl millet.

Rhizosheath size varies significantly with crop genotype, and root exudation is one among its driving factors. Unravelling the relationships between rhizosheath formation, root exudation and soil carbon dynamics may bring interesting perspectives in terms of crop breeding towards sustainable agriculture. Here we grew four pearl millet (C 4 plant type: δ13 C of - 12.8 ‰, F 14 C = 1.012) inbred lines showing contrasting rhizosheath sizes in a C 3 soil type (organic matter with δ13 C of - 22.3 ‰, F 14 C = 1.045). We sampled the root-adhering soil (RAS) and bulk soil after 28 d of growth under a semi-controlled condition. The soil organic carbon (SOC) content and δ13 C and F 14 C of soil samples were measured and the plant-derived C amount and C lost / C new ratio in the RAS were calculated. The results showed a significant increase in δ13 C in the RAS of the four pearl millet lines compared to the control soil, suggesting that this approach was able to detect plant C input into the soil at an early stage of pearl millet growth. The concentration of plant-derived C in the RAS did not vary significantly between pearl millet lines, but the absolute amount of plant-derived C varied significantly when we considered the RAS mass of these different lines. Using a conceptual model and data from the two carbon isotopes' measurements, we evidenced a priming effect for all pearl millet lines. Importantly, the priming effect amplitude (C lost / C new ratio) was higher for the small rhizosheath (low-aggregation) line than for the large rhizosheath (high-aggregation) ones, indicating a better C sequestration potential of the latter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to find out the best management practice on sesame HT-2 variety against A. catalaunalis at the Research Farm of Oilseeds Section, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, CCSHAU, Hisar during kharif, 2016 and 2017. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with twelve treatments viz., T1-Quinalphos 25% EC @ 2L/ha; T2-NSKE @ 5% spray; T3-Neem oil @ 2%; T4-Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki @ 1 kg/ha; T5-First spray of NSKE @ 5% followed by second spray of quinalphos @ 2L/ha; T6-First spray of neem oil @ 2% followed by second spray of quinalphos @ 2l/ha; T7-First spray of Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki @ 1 kg/ha followed by second spray of quinalphos @ 2l/ha; T8 - Intercrop with cluster bean (3:1); T9 - Intercrop with pearl millet (3:1); T10 - Intercrop with cluster bean (3:1) + two sprays of quinalphos; T11-Intercrop with pearl millet (3:1) + two sprays of quinalphos; T12 - Untreated control. Observations were made on A. catalaunalis larval count before and 5, 10 and 15 days after spray, flower and pod damage at flowering and pod formation stage, respectively. Seed yield at time of harvest was also observed and the data obtained subjected to ANOVA after suitable transformations. Yield obtained was analyzed by paired 't' test. Pooled data revealed that maximum reduction in larval counts was found in treatment sesame intercropped with pearl millet+ 2 sprays of quinalphos (86.77%) followed by sesame intercropped with cluster bean+ 2 sprays of quinalphos (76.49%) and sesame with 2 sprays of quinalphos (74.99%). Minimum flower (4.45%) and pod damage (3.07%) were observed with the treatment sesame intercropped with pearl millet+ 2 sprays of quinalphos. Maximum seed yield (887.10 kg/ha) and benefit cost ratio (1.88:1) was observed with sesame intercropped with pearl millet with two sprays of quinalphos. This treatment was found to be the most effective, and thus, sesame intercropped with pearl millet can be incorporated with two sprays of quinalphos for best cost benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High temperature is an environmental factor that affects plant growth and productivity. It is very important to study the changes in plant roots under heat stress (HS) to discover key heat response genes and improve the heat tolerance of plants. Pearl millet is utilized for food, livestock feed and bioenergy materials and is highly tolerant to HS. However, research on the response mechanism of pearl millet roots to HS is limited. In this study, we performed physiological index determination and RNA‐seq on the roots of pearl millet under HS (40/35°C) at 1, 3 and 7 hr. The number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at 3 hr was the highest (8,479), followed by 1 hr (6,250) and 7 hr (5,167). Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis of DEGs revealed that the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and trehalose synthesis pathways were the major responsive pathways after 1 and 3 hr of HS. This study revealed the underlying molecular mechanism of root response to high temperature stress in pearl millet and provided useful information for identifying heat‐resistant genes and breeding heat‐resistant plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field crops, irrigated and rain-fed, constitute the majority of cropland worldwide. An important agricultural variable determining their biomass production is planting density. The objective of the study was to explore the relationships between the biomass (dry matter) and planting density for either major individual field crops or all field crops, combined, and to suggest empirical models describing them. This article describes a meta-analysis of the literature data on biomass per unit area or plant versus planting density for 8 major field crops: 4 cereals (corn, wheat, sorghum, and pearl millet) and 4 forbs (soybean, sunflower, rapeseed, and buckwheat). When data from all 8 field crops are combined, it seems that areal biomass production is practically independent of planting density, apparently obeying the constant final yield hypothesis. By contrast, analyzing each of the 8 crops separately, there is a clear rising trend of areal biomass with increasing planting density, with a mean intraspecific allometric exponent of about 0.25, and individual exponents that increase systematically with a decrease in the average planting density. Applying a planting density-dependent allometric exponent improves the predictability of the interspecific biomass–planting density relationship for field crops. A bounding, exponential model that describes the biomass–planting density relationship in the agricultural range of 1–1000 plants per m2 better than power-law allometric equations is proposed. Although the biological meaning of a derived generic expression relating areal biomass to single-plant biomass for field crops is not clear, the deviation of the outliers probably reflects already utilized or remaining breeding potential for increased areal biomass and agricultural yields. A good understanding, quantification, and prediction of the biomass–planting density relationship is essential for both plant breeding and management of crop production. Plant breeders need this knowledge to choose between strategies for either increasing the single-plant biomass or increasing the plants' tolerance to high planting density. Agronomists and extensionists need it to optimize planting density for a particular variety under given environmental and agricultural (GxExM) conditions. • Planting density is one of the major factors that determine biomass production and agricultural yields of field crops. • Results for 8 major field crops show a clear rising trend of areal biomass with increasing planting density for each crop. • The intraspecific allometric exponent increases with decreasing crop planting density. • A bounding exponential function is superior to a power function for describing the biomass-planting density relationship. • Reported results have implications for agronomic and economic optimization of planting density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Micronutrient deficiencies affect over one quarter of the world's population. Biofortification is an evidence-based nutrition strategy that addresses some of the most common and preventable global micronutrient gaps and can help improve the health of millions of people. Since 2013, HarvestPlus and a consortium of collaborators have made impressive progress in the enrichment of staple crops with essential micronutrients through conventional plant breeding. Objective: To review and highlight lessons learned from multiple large-scale delivery strategies used by HarvestPlus to scale up biofortification across different country and crop contexts. Results: India has strong public and private sector pearl millet breeding programs and a robust commercial seed sector. To scale-up pearl millet, HarvestPlus established partnerships with public and private seed companies, which facilitated the rapid commercialization of products and engagement of farmers in delivery activities. In Nigeria, HarvestPlus stimulated the initial acceptance and popularization of vitamin A cassava using a host of creative approaches, including "crowding in" delivery partners, innovative promotional programs, and development of intermediate raw material for industry and novel food products. In Uganda, orange sweet potato (OSP) is a traditional subsistence crop. Due to this, and the lack of formal seed systems and markets, HarvestPlus established a network of partnerships with community-based nongovernmental organizations and vine multipliers to popularize and scale-up delivery of OSP. Conclusions: Impact of biofortification ultimately depends on the development of sustainable markets for biofortified seeds and products. Results illustrate the need for context-specific, innovative solutions to promote widespread adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Germplasm collection and sourcing for resistant genotypes among the available landraces through characterization and quantification of genetic diversity is essential for introgression in plant breeding programs. Therefore, study on molecular diversity of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) landraces was carried out to characterize the crop accessions for resistance to blast pathogen as well as identify elite accession(s) for the crop improvement. Thirty five (35) pearl millet germplasm were collected from the major cultivated states in Nigeria and were screened for blast resistant genotypes on the field using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Selected potentially resistant accessions for blast resistant were further confirmed under screen house condition and evaluated for genetic diversity using random amplified polymorphic DNA-PCR. Out of the 35 accessions screened for blast, 14 were potentially resistant to blast disease (with disease score of ≤ 3.9 on 1-9 scale). Further nursery screening of the potentially resistant accessions to blast showed that NS-YEL-02 was the most highly resistant followed by NG-ZB-01 with severity disease score of 0.00 and 0.33, respectively. Molecular diversity of selected 14 resistant and 2 susceptible accessions using random amplified polymorphic DNA showed no specific marker for resistant and susceptible accession to the disease. A total of fifty nine (59) amplified fragment bands with 10 DNA primers was generated, of which 53 (89.83%) were polymorphic and 6 (10.17%) were monomorphic. Genetic similarity among the accessions varied from 0.18 to 1.44 with an average gene diversity value of 0.74. Clustered dendrogram of the 16 accessions revealed two major cluster groups; two susceptible (KD-CK-01 and NGB501) accessions with similarity coefficient 1.14, and 14 resistant accessions. Clustering of the selected landraces base on resistance and susceptibility by RAPD techniques, indicate its possibility for indirect selection of blast resistant genotypes for the crop. The high resistance and clustering of NS-YEL-02 singly in a group by the makers indicate the uniqueness and its prospect for selection, as elite parent accessions in blast disease resistance breeding programs of pearl millet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pearl millet is an important cereal crop grown for grain and fodder in arid and semi-arid regions of India. Pyricularia grisea (teleomorph: Magnaporthe grisea) is known to cause devastating foliar blast disease leading to reduction in grain and fodder yields in pearl millet. Internal transcribed spacer sequencing of ribosomal DNA revealed that the foliar blast of pearl millet in western arid Rajasthan, India, is caused by Pyricularia pennisetigena. Multiple sequence alignment validated that the reference sequence of P. pennisetigena from USA, aligned well with that of our sequence of P. pennisetigena. Phylogram clearly delineated P. grisea and P. penniseticola as phylogenetically separate species of Pyricularia compared to P. pennisetigena. Therefore concerted efforts are needed to develop resistant varieties and hybrids in pearl millet against P. pennisetigena in future plant breeding programmes, particularly for western arid Rajasthan. In addition, isolate CZPMP-17, molecularly identified as Colletotrichum sublioneola isolated from P. glaucum causing foliar disease is shown to be a pathogen of pearl millet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Characterisation of germplasm collection is imperative for identification and selection of new resistance sources in any crop breeding programmes. Thus, evaluation of pearl millet germplasm for resistance to stem borer infestation was carried out in view of the challenges of poor yield and quality reduction of pearl millet, elicited by its feeding activities. Thirty-five (35) pearl millet accessions were collected from different states where the crop is majorly cultivated in Nigeria. The accessions were characterised for resistance to stem borer infestation on the field. Further confirmation for selected potentially resistant accessions under artificial screen house conditions was done using a randomised complete block design (RCBD) with ten replications each. The field estimated selection index showed that out of the 35 accessions screened, 15 accessions were potentially resistant; 13 resistants with range value of 0.00 to 0.40 and 2 moderately resistant. Further nursery screening confirmed 9 of the 15 accessions to be resistant under artificial infestation. NS-JIL-01 accession was most highly resistant with significant least leaf damage score of 0.25. Significant and positive correlation (r = 0.32) was obtained between days to anthesis and number of larvae per plant at p < 0.01. Negative correlation of percentage internodes damage with panicle diameter (-0.26) and panicle weight (-0.25 gn) at p < 0.01 as well as weight of 1000 seeds (r = -0.19, p < 0.05) were also significant. The identification of potentially resistant accessions on field and confirmation of some of the accessions under artificial screen house conditions indicated, gene for resistance to stem borer infestation in pearl millet could be obtained from the natural ecotype germplasm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landraces are considered an important sources of genetic variations. These variations are extremely important in the programs of plant breeding. Five, eight and twelve oligonucleotide primers of Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), Simple Sequence Repats (SSRs), and Inter-Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSRs), respectively and protein marker (SDS-PAGE) were used in durum wheat samples analysis (eight cultivars and four landraces). Compared to molecular markers used, proteins fingerprint gave the highest polymorphism (81.8%) with two specific bands, while RAPD analyses revealed the lowest percentage of polymorphism 50% with no specific bands, the numbers of alleles ranged from 3 to 5 per primer, with an average of 4 per primer. On the other hand, ISSRs markers gave the highest number of unique bands (7 bands), 40 of 68 bands were polymorphic with 58.8%polymorphism. The numbers of alleles ranged from 3 to 9 per primer, with average of 5.6 per primer. However, SSRs displayed two specific bands and the highest polymorphism, 31 out of 50 bands were polymorphic with 62% polymorphism and the numbers of alleles ranged from 1 to 10 per primer, with average of 6.2 per primer. Among the different types of molecular markers, SSRs is a more accurate and informative marker. The similarity matrix of collective data differs from the similarity matrix of each studied markers (protein, RAPD, ISSRs and SSRs); and the similarity of each studied marker differs from each other. This indicates that each studied marker has a specific characterization in discrimination of studied genotypes depending on the site of genomic DNA amplified. Finally, it can also be said that biochemical and molecular markers could be used either separately or together for genetic diversity studies in wheat. This study could also be helpful in the future for genomic mapping and breeding programs of wheat genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on sugarcane variety Co 0238 a reward to farmers and elixir to India's sugar sector. Topics include the sugarcane being the second most important commercial crop in India, the Co 0238 with its remarkably impressive field stand and agronomic performance, including superior cane yield and juice quality, and the exceptionally faster rate in the subtropical region of the country.

The article discusses the imported superfood quinoa versus Indian nutricereal millets. Topics inlcude the superfoods being those food items that being either nutritionally rich or contain bioactive phytochemicals and provide added health benefits, the food markets with all kinds of superfood varieties of the world, and the big brands such as Quakers and Kellogs have been successful in making oats, quinoa, and similar products accessible to the Indian consumers.

Globally, two billion people suffer from micronutrient deficiencies. Cereal grains provide more than 50% of the daily requirement of calories in human diets, but they often fail to provide adequate essential minerals and vitamins. Cereal crop production in developing countries achieved remarkable yield gains through the efforts of the Green Revolution (117% in rice, 30% in wheat, 530% in maize, and 188% in pearl millet). However, modern varieties are often deficient in essential micronutrients compared to traditional varieties and land races. Breeding for nutritional quality in staple cereals is a challenging task; however, biofortification initiatives combined with genomic tools increase the feasibility. Current biofortification breeding activities include improving rice (for zinc), wheat (for zinc), maize (for provitamin A), and pearl millet (for iron and zinc). Biofortification is a sustainable approach to enrich staple cereals with provitamin A, carotenoids, and folates. Significant genetic variation has been found for provitamin A (96–850 μg and 12–1780 μg in 100 g in wheat and maize, respectively), carotenoids (558–6730 μg in maize), and folates in rice (11–51 μg) and wheat (32.3–89.1 μg) in 100 g. This indicates the prospects for biofortification breeding. Several QTLs associated with carotenoids and folates have been identified in major cereals, and the most promising of these are presented here. Breeding for essential nutrition should be a core objective of next-generation crop breeding. This review synthesizes the available literature on folates, provitamin A, and carotenoids in rice, wheat, maize, and pearl millet, including genetic variation, trait discovery, QTL identification, gene introgressions, and the strategy of genomics-assisted biofortification for these traits. Recent evidence shows that genomics-assisted breeding for grain nutrition in rice, wheat, maize, and pearl millet crops have good potential to aid in the alleviation of micronutrient malnutrition in many developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Northern, Southern and Equatorial Africa have been identified as among the regions most at risk from very high ozone concentrations. Whereas we know that many crop cultivars from Europe, north America and Asia are sensitive to ozone, almost nothing is known about the sensitivity of staple food crops in Africa to the pollutant. In this study cultivars of the African staple food crops, Triticum aestivum (wheat), Eleusine coracana (finger millet), Pennisetum glaucum (pearl millet) and Phaseolus vulgaris (bean) were exposed to an episodic ozone regime in solardomes in order to assess whether African crops are sensitive to ozone pollution. Extensive visible leaf injury due to ozone was shown for many cultivars, indicating high sensitivity to ozone. Reductions in total yield and 1,000‐grain weight were found for T. aestivum and P. vulgaris, whereas there was no effect on yield for E. coracana and P. glaucum. There were differences in sensitivity to ozone for different cultivars of an individual crop, indicating that there could be possibilities for either cultivar selection or selective crop breeding to reduce sensitivity of these crops to ozone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genomic selection (GS) is an emerging methodology that helps select superior lines among experimental cultivars in plant breeding programs. It offers the opportunity to increase the productivity of cultivars by delivering increased genetic gains and reducing the breeding cycles. This methodology requires inexpensive and sufficiently dense marker information to be successful, and with whole genome sequencing, it has become an important tool in many crops. The recent assembly of the pearl millet genome has made it possible to employ GS models to improve the selection procedure in pearl millet breeding programs. Here, three GS models were implemented and compared using grain yield and dense molecular marker information of pearl millet obtained from two different genotyping platforms (C [conventional GBS RAD-seq] and T [tunable GBS tGBS]). The models were evaluated using three different cross-validation (CV) schemes mimicking real situations that breeders face in breeding programs: CV2 resembles an incomplete field trial, CV1 predicts the performance of untested hybrids, and CV0 predicts the performance of hybrids in unobserved environments. We found that (i) adding phenotypic information of parental inbreds to the calibration sets improved predictive ability, (ii) accounting for genotype-by-environment interaction also increased the performance of the models, and (iii) superior strategies should consider the use of the molecular markers derived from the T platform (tGBS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation was carried out with the objective to ascertain the magnitude of heterosis of 35 hybrids resulted from Line x Tester mating design of seven CMS lines and five restorer tester parents along with the standard check (GHB 558). The highly significant analysis of variance for parents and hybrids among all traits revealed that, the existence of an appreciable amount of genetic variability in the experimental material. In practical plant breeding, the heterosis measured over standard check is more realistic and is of more practical importance. In the present study, heterosis has been estimated over the better parent and popular check hybrid. The aim of present study was to find out the best combination of parents giving a high degree of heterobeltosis and standard heterosis and its exploitation to get better transgressive segregants and characterization of parents for their prospects for further use in the breeding programme of pearl millet. The mean sum of due to parents vs. hybrids for most of the traits is significant for heterosis. The degree of heterosis varied from the cross to cross for all the 10 characters. Considerable high heterosis in certain crosses and low in others revealed that the nature of gene action varied with the genetic makeup of the parents. The hybrids viz., ICMA 07777 x 18488 R, ICMA 06777 x 18805 R and ICMA 96222 x 18488 R showed high per se performance with highly significant positive heterobeltiosis, standard heterosis for grain yield per plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: The low yield of pearl millet largely due to the low adoption of improved varieties substantiates the application of client-oriented plant breeding for pearl millet. Hence to enhance adoption, new varieties must correspond to farmers' preferences and respond to the constraints prevailing in the production environments, participatory rural appraisals were conducted in two agro-ecological zones (Sahel and North-Sudan) to determine farmers' preferences in the choice of varieties and to identify constraints to pearl millet production. The study revealed that the major production constraints are hierarchically drought, Striga , head miner, bird and downy mildew. Compact panicle, large grain size and non-bristle panicle were the most preferred traits in pearl millet across agro-ecological zones. Very long panicle and early maturity crop cycle were more preferred in the Sahel zone whereas, in the North-Sudan zone medium panicle length and medium maturity cycle were more preferred by farmers. Traits largely rejected by farmers were small grain size, narrow, loose and bristled panicle. Very few investigations were done to understand the raison of the low adoption of improved technologies in pearl millet. This study identified the major criteria of new pearl millet variety adoption by farmers. It is expected that breeding program must integrate these criteria in new pearl millet variety profiling to enhance adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation was made to generate information on the heterotic pools amongst pearl millet hybrid parents. A set of 17 representative parents was selected from a diverse set of 147 hybrid parents using SSR based genetic distance (GD) and clustering pattern; 136 hybrids were developed in diallel fashion and evaluated at two locations in India. Moderate positive significant correlation (r = 0.37, p<0.01) and (r = 0.33, p<0.01) was found between GD and mid-parent heterosis (MPH) and better-parent heterosis (BPH), respectively, for grain yield for all the hybrids. Higher correlation between genetically closer individuals was observed for grain yield heterosis when the parents of B- and R- crosses had lesser genetic distance (<0.68 GD) in comparison to those parental combinations having GD higher than 0.68, indicating that the GD based predictions for grain yield are better when the parents are genetically related than when they are genetically diverse. In this study, all the pearl millet hybrid parents seems to exist in two broad-based heterotic pools; one each represented by seed and restorer parents as B × R hybrids showed highest mean heterosis for grain yield than either of B × B or R × R crosses. Further, four heterotic pools have been identified in this diverse set of hybrid parents of pearl millet, two each for seed parents (HPB1 and HPB2) and for restorer parents (HPR3 and HPR4). Among these, HPB1 × HPR3 was identified having the highest heterotic level, and could be further used to develop higher yielding pearl millet hybrids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humans around the world suffer from micronutrient deficiency due to an inadequate intake of essential micronutrients in the daily diet. Agronomic biofortification offers the easiest and the quickest way for biofortification of cereal grains with zinc, iron or other micro mineral nutrients in developing countries especially Asia and Africa, where cereals form the staples. It is the only approach to reach the poorest of the poor rural masses, who can't afford to buy mineral supplements nor can afford animal by-products. From the agronomic biofortification viewpoint, foliar application is better and requires lesser amount of zinc and iron fertilizers than their soil application. Even when cultivars or GM crops with higher zinc and iron content in grains are developed, adequate zinc and iron fertilization will be necessary. Thus, for the long term, agronomic biofortification is a complimentary approach to plant breeding as well as modern biotechnology for increased micronutrients in the food basket. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, a total of 22 pearl millet genotypes were evaluated during kharif, 2017. The genotypes were analyzed for genetic variability, correlation and path coefficients. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among the genotypes for all the 12 characters viz., plant height, number of tillers per plant, number of leaves per tiller, leaf length, leaf breadth, leaf-stem ratio, dry matter yield per plant, green fodder yield per plant, crude protein, crude fibre, fat content and ash content studied, indicating the presence of sufficient variability in the experimental materials of pearl millet genotypes. The estimates of genotypic coefficient of variation were lesser than that of phenotypic coefficient of variation for all the traits except ash content per cent, indicating the role of environmental influence over the characters studied. High heritability with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was observed for green fodder yield per plant, dry matter yield per plant, fat content, crude protein content and ash content. This indicated the prevalence of additive gene action in their inheritance; hence selection of these traits would facilitate the improvement of both fodder yield and quality. Correlation and path analysis revealed that the traits viz., plant height, leaf breadth and dry matter yield per plant might be responsible for increasing the green fodder yield per plant in fodder pearl millet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was undertaken to determine genetic variability of yield and its components traits in pearl millet germplasm. A set of 376 germplasm was evaluated in Augmented Block Design (ABD) without replications under irrigated conditions during summer 2017 season. Observations were recorded on 10 yield and yield contributing traits. A notable amount of variation was found in material under study. Wide range of variation, were recorded for the traits viz., days to 50 per cent flowering, plant height, number of productive tillers per plant, leaf sheath length, leaf blade length, leaf blade width, spike length, spike girth, 1000 seed weight, single plant yield. The characters viz., single plant yield, number of productive tillers per plant, spike length, leaf blade width and spike girth showed high phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variance. Higher estimates of heritability along with high genetic advance as per cent of mean were observed for number of productive tillers per plant and leaf blade width. Therefore, selection for these characters in the given set of germplasm will be more effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiment was conducted with 48 hybrids which were developed through line x tester mating design using four male sterile line and twelve restores as parental material along with two hybrids as standard checks, viz., Aadishakti and 86 M 86. The parents, hybrids and two standard checks were evaluated during Kharif, 2016 season for 10 characters. Significant differences were observed for all the ten characters studied. Among the females, DHLB-25A was found best general combiner for grain yield and had significant GCA effects for six other characters. For earliness, DHLB-21A was good general combiner as it had significant GCA effects. The lines, DHLB-22A, DHLB-23A were good general combiner for grain iron content (ppm). Among male parents, S- 16/105, S-16/85 and S-16/93 were found to be good general combiner for most of the characters under study. The cross DHLB-21 x S-16/107 was the best specific combiner for grain yield per plant followed by DHLB-25A x S- 16/109 and DHLB-25A x S-16/93. The cross combination DHLB-22A x S-16/109 was the best specific combiner for grain iron content (ppm) followed by DHLB-23 x S-16/89. They produced significant and desirable SCA effects for most of the traits studied, including potential for exploiting hybrid vigour in breeding programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pearl millet is a non-model grain and fodder crop adapted to extremely hot and dry environments globally. In India, a great deal of public and private sectors' investment has focused on developing pearl millet single cross hybrids based on the cytoplasmic-genetic male sterility (CMS) system, while in Africa most pearl millet production relies on open pollinated varieties. Pearl millet lines were phenotyped for both the inbred parents and hybrids stage. Many breeding efforts focus on phenotypic selection of inbred parents to generate improved parental lines and hybrids. This study evaluated two genotyping techniques and four genomic selection schemes in pearl millet. Despite the fact that 6x more sequencing data were generated per sample for RAD-seq than for tGBS, tGBS yielded more than 2x as many informative SNPs (defined as those having MAF > 0.05) than RAD-seq. A genomic prediction scheme utilizing only data from hybrids generated prediction accuracies (median) ranging from 0.73-0.74 (1000-grain weight), 0.87-0.89 (days to flowering time), 0.48-0.51 (grain yield) and 0.72-0.73 (plant height). For traits with little to no heterosis, hybrid only and hybrid/inbred prediction schemes performed almost equivalently. For traits with significant mid-parent heterosis, the direct inclusion of phenotypic data from inbred lines significantly (P < 0.05) reduced prediction accuracy when all lines were analyzed together. However, when inbreds and hybrid trait values were both scored relative to the mean trait values for the respective populations, the inclusion of inbred phenotypic datasets moderately improved genomic predictions of the hybrid genomic estimated breeding values. Here we show that modern approaches to genotyping by sequencing can enable genomic selection in pearl millet. While historical pearl millet breeding records include a wealth of phenotypic data from inbred lines, we demonstrate that the naive incorporation of this data into a hybrid breeding program can reduce prediction accuracy, while controlling for the effects of heterosis per se allowed inbred genotype and trait data to improve the accuracy of genomic estimated breeding values for pearl millet hybrids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2013 in randomized block design using three nitrogen doses (50, 75 and 100 kgN/ha) with three replications for Napier Bajra hybrid. Three nitrogen fertilizers, potassium nitrate (KNO3), urea [CO(NH2)2] and ammonium sulphate [(NH4)2SO4] were used in divided doses. The crop was harvested four times in different seasons. Growth attributes viz. plant height (72.6cm), number of tillers per plant (20.1) and leaf length (91.2) found highest at 100 kgN/ha doses and maximum values were recorded in monsoon season. Green fodder yield (321.0 q/ha) and dry fodder yield (79.6 q/ha) were recorded highest with KNO3 fertilization and found maximum in monsoon season. Among all the harvest seasons, crude protein yield (19.1 q/ha) was observed maximum in summer season. Quality attributes viz. ether extract (2.6%), ash content (12.9%) and in vitro dry matter digestibility (62.6%) were observed highest in summer season. Crude fibre, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre decreased with increased level of nitrogen doses and observed maximum in monsoon season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Farmers' participation in on-farm research can speed up of large scale adoption of the new crop varieties among farmers and replace the traditional agricultural practices. A small farmer in a variable environment will be affected by adoption of traditional practices especially for choice of crops and selection of suitable varieties. In areas where farmers are unfamiliar with available improved varieties, there is need of conducting effective varietal evaluation with farmers. The participatory approach for identifying suitable high yielding cultivars for harsh environments would be boon to the dry land farmers and could retain the sustainability in rainfed zones. This paper describes how plant breeder and farmers worked together to evaluate and identified the farmers' choice pearl millet varieties; TNAU hybrid CO9 and Pioneer 86M86 from a diverse genetic background in a participatory varietal selection programme conducted in vertisol tract of southern districts of Tamil Nadu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic diversity in the breeding materials is an essential component to improve the efficiency of any crop improvement programme. In present study, 150 seed and restorer parents were evaluated for grain yield and its component traits at two diverse agro-ecologies CCSHAU-Hisar and ICRISAT-Patancheru. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among hybrid parents for all traits. Clustering of hybrid parents clearly partitioned almost all the B- and R-lines into separate groups indicating B- and R-lines to be genetically distant from each other. Further, seed (B-lines) and restorer (Rlines) parents were found distributed in four clusters each, and hybrid parents having same plant type (having similar set of specific traits) were found in same cluster. Significant numbers of hybrid parents having common parent in their pedigrees were found in same cluster. Cluster B-IV of B-lines and cluster R-III of R-lines had higher grain yield and above average performance for other grain linked traits. Grain yield was found to have highly positive significant correlation with all the traits under study for both B- and R-lines, except for effective tillers plant-1. Stover yield followed by panicle girth and panicle length had highest positive direct effect on grain yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high yielding pearl millet variety, UCC 32 was developed as composite by mixing and random mating of five elite inbred lines with resistant to downy mildew disease at Department of millets, Centre for Plant Breeding and Genetics, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. It has been tested extensively in Tamil Nadu and in other states under MLT, ART, OFT and All India Co-ordinated programme for the past four years. It performed well both under rainfed and irrigated situations in Tamil Nadu. This variety is medium in stature (160-180 cm) and in duration (85 - 90 days). It produces 4 - 6 productive tillers with mostly lanceolate shaped ears. The size of the grain is bold and is grayish yellow in colour. The variety UCC 32 is highly resistant to downy mildew under both normal and sick plot condition. This new variety recorded a mean grain yield of 3474 kg/ha under irrigated conditions, which are about 17 and 23 per cent increase over the checks CO (Cu) 9 and ICMV 221 respectively. The mean grain yield under rainfed conditions is 2916 kg/ha which is 15 and 24 per cent increase over CO (Cu) 9 and ICMV 221 respectively. The variety UCC 32 is medium in duration, high yielding, resistant to downy mildew, bold grain, compact ear head, non-lodging and fertilizer responsive. The protein content is high (12.07%). It has acceptable cooking quality and suited for consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deficiencies of essential micronutrients such as iron and zinc are the cause of extensive health problems in developing countries. They adversely affect performance, productivity and are a major hindrance to economic development. Since many people who suffer from micronutrient deficiencies are dependent on staple crops to meet their dietary requirements, the development of crop cultivars with increased levels of micronutrients in their edible parts is becoming increasingly recognized as a sustainable solution. This is largely facilitated by genetics and genomic platforms. The cereal crop pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), is an excellent candidate for genetic improvement due to its ability to thrive in dry, semi-arid regions, where farming conditions are often unfavorable. Not only does pearl millet grow in areas where other crops such as maize and wheat do not survive, it contains naturally high levels of micronutrients, proteins and a myriad of other health benefitting characteristics. This review discusses the current status of iron and zinc deficiencies and reasons why interventions such as fortification, supplementation, and soil management are neither practicable nor affordable in poverty stricken areas. We argue that the most cost effective, sustainable intervention strategy is to biofortify pearl millet with enhanced levels of bioavailable iron and zinc. We discuss how naturally occurring genetic variations present in germplasm collections can be incorporated into elite, micronutrient rich varieties and what platforms are available to drive this research. We also consider the logistics of transgenic methods that could facilitate the improvement of the pearl millet gene pool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pearl millet [Penisetum glaucum (L) R. Br.] is a hardy cereal crop grown in the arid and semiarid tropics where other cereals are likely to fail to produce economic yields due to drought and heat stresses. Adaptive evolution, a form of natural selection shaped the crop to grow and yield satisfactorily with limited moisture supply or under periodic water deficits in the soil. Drought tolerance is a complex polygenic trait that various morphological and physiological responses are controlled by 100s of genes and significantly influenced by the environment. The development of genomic tools will have enormous potential to improve the efficiency and precision of conventional breeding. The apparent independent domestication events, highly outcrossing nature and traditional cultivation in stressful environments maintained tremendous amount of polymorphism in pearl millet. This high polymorphism of the crop has been revealed by genome mapping that in turn stimulated the mapping and tagging of genomic regions controlling important traits such as drought tolerance. Mapping of a major QTL for terminal drought tolerance in independent populations envisaged the prospect for the development of molecular breeding in pearl millet. To accelerate genetic gains for drought tolerance targeted novel approaches such as establishment of marker-trait associations, genomic selection tools, genome sequence and genotyping-by-sequencing are still limited. Development and application of high throughput genomic tools need to be intensified to improve the breeding efficiency of pearl millet to minimize the impact of climate change on its production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comparison of energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP) for iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) densities in pearl millet grain samples from 11 trials showed significant differences between these two methods for both micronutrients. XRF values were more often higher than the ICP values for both micronutrients, but the differences were significant in only 15–38% genotypes for Fe and in 7–25% genotypes for Zn across the trials. In 82% genotypes the differences between these two methods were ≤6 mg kg−1for Fe; and in 88% genotypes, the differences were ≤4 mg kg−1for Zn. There were highly significant and high positive correlations between ICP and XRF for both micronutrients. Selection of genotypes above the XRF trial mean for Fe/Zn included at least 30% top-ranking genotypes based on ICP. Therefore, XRF can be used for cost-effective and rapid screening of a large number of grain samples in pearl millet biofortification programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An attempt was made to study the genetic variability and inter-relationship analysis in F3 and F4 generations for ten quantitative characters. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was higher than the genotypic coefficient of variation(GCV) for all the characters studied in both F3 and F4 generation, indicating environmental influence on expression of allcharacters. High heritability combined with high genetic advance for the trait ear head girth and moderate heritability withhigh genetic advance noticed in single ear head grain weight and grain yield per plant indicated that these characters weregoverned largely through additive effects of genes and improvement in these traits may be achieved through phenotypicselection. Association studies revealed that, selection based on the traits, single ear head grain weight, ear head girth, singleear head weight, number of productive tillers per plant, plant height and grain yield per plant will be effective. In pathcoefficient analysis, single ear head grain weight and total number of productive tillers showed direct effect to account foryield. The effect through ear head girth, single ear head weight and 1000 grain weight was high in F3 and F4 generationsindirectly. These revealed that the true relationship of these characters with grain yield. Selection based on these charactersmay be helpful in planning efficient breeding programme. Total carotenoids and β carotene content was estimated inparents and ten F4 progenies. Among them, five progenies viz., TNBG-06-81-9-13 (1.698 µg/g), TNBG-06-81-10-9 (1.624µg/g), TNBG-06-127-3-3 (1.585 µg/g), TNBG-06-53-6-6 (1.460 µg/g) and TNBG-06-81-7-10 (1.420 µg/g) were identified for high β carotene and these lines were used for future breeding programme for producing high yield with β carotene richpearl millet inbreds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sixty hybrids of Pearl millet were produced by crossing six male sterile lines with ten diverse inbred lines were studied for combining ability effects. The analysis of variance revealed significant difference between parents for all the characters studied. The estimates of combining ability variances suggested the importance of both additive and non-additive gene action in the control of most of the characters. The mean degree of dominance (σ²D / σ²A)0.5 was found greater than unity for characters viz., productive tillers per plant, grain yield per plant, 1000 grain weight and earhead length, indicating the over dominance. The CGMS line JMSA-9904 was found as good general combiners for days to 50% flowering, days to maturity and earhead length. The CGMS lines ICMA-98444 and ICMA-20041 were found to be good general combiner for productive tillers per plant and earhead girth but poor combiners for days to 50% flowering. ICMA-97111 was average combiners for all the charcters. Three parents viz., J-2340, J-2507 and J-2490 were good general combiner for grain yield. Among the sixty hybrids, 14 hybrids showed the best performance with significantly positive sca effect for grain yield. The cross ICMA-97111 x 236SB had significant and positive sca effects for grain yield per plant, earhead girth and days to maturity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present investigation, nature and magnitude of gene action was analyzed in six generations (P1, P2, F1, F2, BC1 and BC2) for grain yield and its attributing characters in four crosses of pearl millet. On the basis of individual scaling test A, B and C and joint scaling test, the additive-dominance model was found to be adequate for description of variation ingeneration means for number of nodes per plant, number of effective tillers per plant, grain yield per plant and biologicalyield per plant in all the four crosses, days to flowering in ICMB-04999 x J-2454; days to maturity and earhead length incrosses ICMB-20071 x J-2480 and ICMB-04999 x J-2454; while, test weight in crosses ICMB-20071 x J-2500 and ICMB-20071 x J-2480. For remaining cases, significance of either all or the three or any of the individual scaling tests A, B or Cand significant Chi-square values confirming the involvement of digenic interaction parameters in the inheritance of thesecharacters. Looking to the interaction components, all the three or any one or any two interaction parameters were found significant for most of the traits in most of the crosses indicating interaction parameters also played important role in the inheritance of these characters. Study indicated that grain yield per plant and its component characters were mostly governed by additive and non-additive gene effects but the magnitude of dominance effect was higher for almost all the characters. Duplicate type of epistasis played a greater role then complementary epistasis was observed for most of cases. The highest estimate of heterobeltiosis was observed for grain yield per plant in cross 1 (76.45%) followed by biologicalyield in cross 1 (73.76%), number of effective tillers per plant in cross 1 (40.00%), plant height in cross 1 (26.84%),earhead length in cross 4 (11.43%), test weight in cross 1 (11.23%), days to flowering in cross 2 (-8.37%), earhead girth incross 4 (8.06%) and days to maturity in cross 2 (-3.42%). Highly significant heterobeltiosis with low in breeding depression was observed for number of effective tillers per plant, earhead length, grain yield and biological yield in the cross ICMB-94555 x J-2290; ICMB-20071 x J-2500 for grain yield and biological yield; ICMB-20071 x J-2480 for test weight and inICMB-04999 x J-2454 for earhead girth and biological yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pearl millet is an important cereal for food security in the arid regions of Africa and India. The recently published genome of this tough cereal crop has shed new light on its history and adaptation to dry, hot climates and paves the way for much-needed genomic-based breeding efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]