Patterns of molecular and phenotypic diversity in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] from West and Central Africa and their relation to geographical and environmental parameters

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) genebank in India holds the world's largest collection of 21,594 pearl millet germplasm accessions including 18,447 landraces from 50 countries. West and Central Africa (WCA) region, which is considered as the centre of diversity for pearl millet, is also an important pearl millet germplasm source for resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. A total of 7372 landraces were assembled from WCA countries. Out of which, 6434 landraces have the georeference data. The geographic origins of these landraces were analyzed using geographic information system tools to identify gaps in the collection. Geographical distribution of existing collections, type of vegetation, land cover and the high probability (>70%) for the occurrence of pearl millet estimated using the FloraMap software in different countries show that 62 districts in 13 provinces of Nigeria, 50 districts in 16 provinces of Burkina Faso, 9 districts in 6 provinces each of Mali and Mauritania, 8 districts in 8 provinces of Chad and 7 districts in 3 provinces of Ghana as the major geographical gaps in the pearl millet collection at the ICRISAT genebank. In view of this, we suggest that the final areas for exploration in these districts should be decided prior to the launch of the collection missions in consultation with local government officials and extension officers, who have the knowledge of pearl millet cultivation in the districts identified.

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Assessment of phenotypic diversity in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] germplasm of Indian origin and identification of trait-specific germplasm

Crop and Pasture Science ◽

10.1071/cp16300 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 67 (12) ◽

pp. 1223 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Jyoti Kumari ◽

Manas K. Bag ◽

S. Pandey ◽

S. K. Jha ◽

S. S. Chauhan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Disease Resistance ◽

Pearl Millet ◽

Agronomic Traits ◽

Pennisetum Glaucum ◽

Phenotypic Diversity ◽

Principal Component ◽

Leaf Length ◽

Distribution Analysis ◽

Antioxidants Activity ◽

Germplasm Collections

Evaluation of genetic diversity within germplasm collections and identification of trait-specific germplasm is a basic requirement for plant breeders. A total of 221 Indian pearl millet collections from the National Genebank were characterised and evaluated for 27 agro-morphological descriptors. Considerable variation was observed for all characters. Frequency distribution analysis showed predominance of cylindrical and compact spike, grey seeds, earliness (less than 40 days to spike emergence). Hierarchical clustering method was used for classifying 221 pearl millet accessions based on agronomic and disease resistance traits, which resulted into three clusters. Clusters 1, 2 and 3 comprised 91, 54 and 76 accessions respectively. There was high correspondence between the geographic collection sites of accessions and their inclusion in particular clusters. In addition, principal component analysis was used for data reduction and generating biplot. First four principal components explained 66.43% of total variability. Among the traits analysed, plant height, nodes/plant, days to spike emergence, number of tillers, leaf width and leaf length are major contributor towards phenotypic diversity. Further the trait-specific germplasm were identified for agronomic traits, disease resistance, popping and antioxidants activity, namely for earliness (IC343664, IC343689, IC343661, IC309064), spike girth (IC283693, IC283842, IC367638), dual purpose with high grain and fodder yield (IC283705, IC283745, IC283885 and IC335901 and so on). Four accessions of pearl millet germplasm viz., IC309064, IC393365, IC306465 and IC283866, were observed as multiple disease resistant. This study suggested that application of appropriate techniques and their interpretations provide more efficient way to identify potential accessions and improve the utilisation of germplasm collections in plant breeding.

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Sorghum and Pearl Millet Diseases in West and Central Africa

Sorghum and Millets Diseases ◽

10.1002/9780470384923.ch70 ◽

2008 ◽

pp. 419-425 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Paul S. Marley ◽

Mamourou Diourt ◽

Adama Neya ◽

Stephen K. Nutsugah ◽

P. Srm ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pearl Millet ◽

Central Africa ◽

West And Central Africa

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Performance of dual-purpose pearl millet genotypes in West Africa: Importance of morphology and phenology

African Crop Science Journal ◽

10.4314/acsj.v28i4.1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 28 (4) ◽

pp. 481-498

Author(s):

D.D. Serba ◽

O. Sy ◽

M.D. Sanogo ◽

A. Issaka ◽

M. Ouedraogo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pearl Millet ◽

Pennisetum Glaucum ◽

Central Africa ◽

Genotype By Environment Interaction ◽

West African ◽

Environment Interaction ◽

Germplasm Exchange ◽

Dual Purpose ◽

Breeding Programmes ◽

Positive Correlations

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) is a cereal crop vital for food security in West and Central Africa. Its byproducts also serve as fodder for livestock, especially during dry seasons. The objective of this study was to evaluate selected genotypes from West African pearl millet breeding programmes, for dual-purpose (grain and fodder) and elucidate prospects for future breeding. A total of 83 open-pollinated varieties (OPVs), five composites, six landraces, one synthetic and five hybrids were evaluated at 14 environments in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Senegal during the rainy seasons of 2015 and 2016. Combined analysis of data revealed significant differences among genotypes and prevalence of high genotype-by-environment interaction effects. Two stability analyses models consistently indicated that genotypes 10 (SMILBF10), 14 (SMILBF14) and 39 (SMILML5) were widely adaptable across the region. Plant height, panicle length and panicle yield showed significant positive correlations with grain yield; while days to flowering was negatively correlated. Positive correlation between grain and fodder yields indicate possibility for simultaneous improvement involving the two important traits. This result suggests that germplasm exchange and regionally integrated breeding programmes are important for the identification of widely adapted dual-purpose varieties of pearl millet, particularly in West African drylands.

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Assessing the effectiveness of agricultural R&D for groundnut, pearl millet, pigeonpea and sorghum in West and Central Africa and East and Southern Africa.

Crop improvement, adoption, and impact of improved varieties in food crops in sub-Saharan Africa ◽

10.1079/9781780644011.0123 ◽

2015 ◽

pp. 123-147 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

J. Ndjeunga ◽

K. Mausch ◽

F. Simtowe

Keyword(s):

Pearl Millet ◽

Southern Africa ◽

Central Africa ◽

West And Central Africa

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Identification of High-Yielding Iron-Biofortified Open-Pollinated Varieties of Pearl Millet in West Africa

Frontiers in Plant Science ◽

10.3389/fpls.2021.688937 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Prakash I. Gangashetty ◽

Mohammed Riyazaddin ◽

Moussa Daouda Sanogo ◽

Drabo Inousa ◽

Kassari Ango Issoufou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

West Africa ◽

Grain Yield ◽

Pearl Millet ◽

Block Design ◽

Central Africa ◽

Field Performance ◽

Test Material ◽

Genotypic Differences ◽

West And Central Africa ◽

Micronutrient Malnutrition

Pearl millet is a predominant food and fodder crop in West Africa. This study was carried out to test the newly developed open-pollinated varieties (OPVs) for field performance and stability for grain yield, grain iron (Fe), and grain zinc (Zn) contents across 10 locations in West Africa (i.e., Niger, Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Senegal, and Ghana). The test material consisted of 30 OPVs, of which 8 are Fe/Zn biofortified. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design in three replications. ANOVA revealed highly significant variability for grain yield and micronutrient traits. The presence of genotype × environment (G × E) indicated that the expressions of traits are significantly influenced by both genetic and G × E factors, for grain Fe and Zn contents. Days to 50% flowering and plant height showed less G × E, suggesting these traits are largely under genetic control. The genotypes CHAKTI (46 days), ICTP 8203 (46 days), ICMV 177002 (50 days), ICMV 177003 (48 days), and Moro (53 days) had exhibited early flowering across locations leading to early physiological maturity. CHAKTI (1.42 t/ha yield; 62.24 mg/kg of grain Fe, 47.29 mg/kg of grain Zn) and ICMP 177002 (1.19 t/ha yield, 62.62 mg/kg of grain Fe, 46.62 mg/kg of grain Zn) have performed well for grain yield and also for micronutrients, across locations, compared with the check. Additive Main Effect and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) ANOVA revealed the highly significant genotypic differences, the mean sum of squares of environment, and its interaction with the genotypes. Based on the AMMI stability value (ASV), the most stable genotype is SOSAT-C88 (ASV = 0.04) for grain yield and resistance to downy mildew; mean grain yield and stability rankings (YSI) revealed that the genotypes CHAKTI, SOSAT-C88, and ICMV IS 99001 were high yielding and expressed stability across regions. The strong correlation (r = 0.98∗∗) of grain Fe and Zn contents that merits Fe-based selection is highly rewarding. CHAKTI outperformed over other genotypes for grain yield (71% higher), especially with early maturing varieties in West Africa, such as GB 8735, LCIC 9702, and Jirani, and for grain Fe (16.11% higher) and Zn (7% higher) contents across locations, and made a candidate of high-iron variety to be promoted for combating the micronutrient malnutrition in West and Central Africa (WCA).

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