Variability and trait‐specific accessions for grain yield and nutritional traits in germplasm of little millet ( Panicum sumatrense Roth. Ex. Roem. & Schult.)

Little millet (Panicum sumatrense Roth. Ex. Roem. & Schult.), a member of the grass family Poaceae, is native to India. It is nutritionally superior to major cereals, grows well on marginal lands, and can withstand drought and waterlogging conditions. Two-hundred diverse little millet landraces were characterized to assess variability for agronomic and nutritional traits and identify promising accessions. Highly significant variabilitywas found for all the agronomic and grain nutrient traits. Accessions of robusta were high yielding whereas those of nana were rich in grain nutrients. About 80% of the accessions showed consistent protein and zinc (Zn) contents whereas iron (Fe) and calcium (Ca) contents were less consistent (29.5 and 63.5%, respectively) over 2 yr. Promising trait-specific accessions were identified for greater seed weight (10 accessions), high grain yield (15), high biomass yield (15), and consistently high grain nutrients (30) over 2 yr (R2 = .69–.74, P ≤ .0001). A few accessions showed consistently high for two or more nutrients (IPmr 449 for Fe, Zn, Ca, and protein; IPmr 981 for Zn and protein). Five accessions (IPmr 855, 974, 877, 897, 767) were high yielding and also rich in Ca. Consumption of 100 g of little millet grains can potentially contribute to the recommended dietary allowance of up to 28% Fe, 37% Zn, and 27% protein. Multilocation evaluation of the promising accessions across different soil types, fertility levels, and climatic conditions would help to identify valuable accessions for direct release as a cultivar or use in little millet improvement

Identification and Screening of Restorers and Maintainers for different CMS Lines of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.)

For the evolution of new pearl millet hybrids with diverse cytoplasmic background suitable for specific areas and condition,there is a need for diversified CMS sources among locally adaptable lines and identification of locally adaptable restorers.The present study was undertaken to screen the male sterile and restorer lines among the crosses of five male sterile lines andthirty inbreds of pearl millet. Five isogenic alloplasmic male sterile lines (ICMA 94111A, 81A, ICMA 88004A, PT 5054Aand 732A) were crossed with thirty inbreds in line x tester design, so as to obtain 150 F1 hybrids. F1’s were categorized asrestorers (>80 % pollen fertility), partial restorers (20 to 79 % pollen fertility), partial maintainers (10-19 % pollen fertility)and maintainers (<10 % pollen fertility). Among the 150 hybrids studied, 43 complete sterile and 24 complete fertile hybridswere identified. The two inbreds namely PT 5259 and PT 5773 recorded sterility with four male sterile lines out of five malesterile lines used. The former expressed sterility with ICMA 88994A, 81A, ICMA 94111A and PT 5054A, the latterexpressed sterility with the male sterile lines 81A, 732A, ICMA 94111A and PT 5054A. In case of 732A, maximum restoreswere observed and 10 inbreds showed complete fertility and only one inbred showed complete sterility. The identifiedrestorers and maintainers could be utilized for development of new restorer lines/hybrids and CMS lines, respectively infuture