Genetic variation and diversity of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.)] genotypes assessed for millet head miner, Heliocheilus albipunctella resistance, in West Africa
Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.), the
major source of minerals and dietary energy for people
living in the semi-arid regions of Sahel, is regularly
damaged by millet head miner, Heliocheilus albipunctella.
In order to identify the plant-based resistance
sources for millet head miner along with high
grain Fe and Zn, we have screened forty pearl millet
genotypes, using an artificial infestation method.
Analysis of variance revealed significant differences
in the genotypes tested for head miner resistance. The
genotypes Gamoji, ICMP 177001, ICMP 177002,
ICMV 177003, ICMV IS 90311, LCIC9702, Souna 3,
ICMV IS 94206 and PE08043 exhibited antibiosis
resistance mechanism to Heliocheilus albipunctella
with appreciable agronomy and grain yield when
compared with the susceptible check ICMV IS 92222.
The genotypes Faringuero, ICMV 167005, ICMV IS
99001, Sadore local, SOSAT-C88, and ICMP 177004
exhibited tolerance to head miner damage with good
per se performance. The genotypes ICMP 177001,
ICMP 177002, ICMV 177003, and Moro exhibited
resistance to millet head miner and had consistent
grain Fe content across seasons (ranging from 44 to
70 ppm). Association between the head miner resistance
and morphological traits showed a positive and significant correlation of larval production index (%)
with head miner damage (r = 0.59**). Grain Fe and
Zn contents exhibited negative association with panicle
length and grain yield indicating proper care
should be taken in breeding for these traits. Hence, the
identified resistance sources can be effectively utilized
in breeding head miner resistant pearl millet OPV’s/
hybrids, with high grain yield including Fe and Zn
concentrations, to overcome the hunger and malnutrition
seen in populations living in the semi-arid tropics