RA 00110.pdf - OAR@ICRISAT

Research on Pearl Millet Hybrids in Senegal
(Recherches sur les hybrides de mil au Senegal)
A.T. NDoye
Millet Breeder and Coordinator, ISRA, CNRA, BP 53, Bambey, Senegal
and
S.C. Gupta
Millet Breeder,ICRISAT/ISRA Cooperative Program, CNRA, BP 53, Bambey, Senegal (presently SADCC/
ICRISAT Sorghum & Millet Improvement Project, P.O.B. 776, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe)
Among the cereals, pearl millet predominates in the north and central regions of Senegal where rainfall is low
and erratic. At present, open-pollinated varieties which mature in 70-100 d are grown in these regions. It is
possible to grow hybrids in irrigated areas of the northern region, and in the south-central region where
rainfall is both adequate and assured, and where farmers are able to use high levels of inputs.
During the early 1960s, hybrids were produced by crossing a population and an inbred line. The best hybrid
yielded up to 147% of the local population. Male-sterile line Tift 23A was introduced in the late 1960s but it
was highly susceptible to downy mildew. Systematic hybrid breeding efforts recently began with the availability
of new male-sterile lines such as 81A and 111A. The pollinators were selected inbreds from crosses between
Senegalese genotypes and introductions. In over 250 initial testcrosses evaluated, 23 hybrids were retested last
year at two locations. The highest yielding hybrid, I C M H 8512 SN (2700 kg ha -1 ), yielded 30% more grain than
the best control in the trial, IBV 8001, followed by I C M H 8418 SN, I C M H 8510 SN, and I C M H 8413 SN.
During the last 3 years, the best hybrid was I C M H 8413 SN, which produced 31-52% more grain than Souna
I I I , a common control in the different years. A l l these hybrids produced shorter plants and heads, but
produced more heads per unit area than Souna I I I . These hybrids were highly resistant to downy mildew and
moderately resistant to smut.
These preliminary results are encouraging, and therefore efforts will now be made to breed hybrids using
new inbreds on 81A, 111A, and other male-sterile lines.
Potential for Pearl Millet Hybrids in Southern Africa
(Potentiel des hybrides de mil en Afrique australe)
S.C. Gupta,
Millet Breeder, SADCC/ICRISAT Sorghum Millet Improvement Project, P.O.B. 776, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe;
H . M . Sadaan,
Millet Breeder, TARO, P.O. Box 9071, Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania;
C.F.B. Chigwe,
Plant Breeder, Makoka Research Station, P.O. Nthondwe, Malawi;
and
F.R. Muza
Plant Breeder, Department of R&SS, Causeway, Harare, Zimbabwe
The cultivation of maize, the most important cereal crop in southern Africa, has extended beyond its zone of
adaptation. In the last few years, it has failed completely in certain areas due to low rainfall and dry weather.
Governments and farmers are now looking for alternative crops. Pearl millet is a traditional crop of southern
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