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RA 00110.pdf - OAR@ICRISAT

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Pearl Millet Hybrids<br />

H . R . Dave 1<br />

Abstract<br />

Pearl millet is the important cereal crop in arid and semi-arid regions of the world, and is grown most widely<br />

in India. The availability of very wide genetic variability, its protogynous nature, and the existence of<br />

cytoplasmic male sterility have made this crop highly amenable to breeding improvement. In India,<br />

considerable progress has been made in the commercial exploitation of hybrids. HB 3 was the first hybrid<br />

and was very widely grown from 1968-1974. Subsequently its cultivation stopped because it became<br />

susceptible to downy mildew disease. Thereafter a series of hybrids on different male-sterile lines was<br />

released. The susceptibility of hybrids to downy mildew, and seed production problems are discussed.<br />

Hybrids such as BJ 104 and BK 560 were popular from 1978-1984, but are now being replaced by new<br />

hybrids. Incorporating disease resistance into pearl millet hybrids and the diversification and exploitation<br />

of genetic materials are discussed. Problems with commercial hybrid seed production are mentioned, and the<br />

suitability of parents in seed production programs is outlined.<br />

Introduction<br />

Pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum) is grown on<br />

more than 20 million ha in the world. It is the world's<br />

sixth most important cereal. In Africa and India, it is<br />

the principle grain crop of the semi-arid tropics,<br />

while in the USA it is one of the best annual summer<br />

forage crops for the drier regions.<br />

Pearl millet, a short-day plant adapted to hot<br />

climates, is even more resistant to drought than<br />

sorghum. No other cereal grows so well in hot dry<br />

regions. Pearl millet yields reasonably well on poor,<br />

sandy soils on which most other crops fail (Arnon<br />

1972).<br />

In India, pearl millet is grown on about 11 million<br />

ha in the arid and semi-arid regions of the country.<br />

India grows nearly two-thirds of the world area of<br />

pearl millet, where it is the fourth most important<br />

food crop. It is grown chiefly in Rajasthan, Gujarat,<br />

Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh, which account for<br />

nearly 75% of the pearl millet area and production of<br />

the country. The pearl millet area in India has<br />

1. Research Scientist (Millet), Gujarat Agricultural University, Jamnagar, 361 006, India.<br />

ICRISAT (International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics). 1987. Proceedings of the International Pearl Millet<br />

Workshop, 7-11 April 1986, ICRISAT Center, India. Patancheru, A.P. 502324, India: ICRISAT.<br />

121

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