Performance and Stability of Pearl Millet Varieties for Grain Yield and Micronutrients in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions of India

• DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.670201
• Publication Date: 2021-05-31T18:34:39Z
• Authors: P. Sanjana Reddy; C. Tara Satyavathi; Vikas Khandelwal; H. T. Patil; P. C. Gupta; L. D. Sharma; K. D. Mungra; Sumer P. Singh; R. Narasimhulu; H. H. Bhadarge; K. Iyanar; M. K. Tripathi; Devvart Yadav; Ruchika Bhardwaj; A. M. Talwar; V. K. Tiwari; U. G. Kachole; K. Sravanti; M. Shanthi Priya; B. K. Athoni; N. Anuradha; Mahalingam Govind...; T. Nepolean; Vilas A. Tonapi
• Keywords: Pennisetum; Biplot; Grain Quality

Pearl millet [ Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] is grown under both arid and semi-arid conditions in India, where other cereals are hard to grow. cultivars, hybrids, OPVs (open pollinated varieties) tested released by the All India Coordinated Research Project on Millet (AICRP-PM) across three zones (A 1 , A, B) that classified based rainfall pattern. Except locations with extreme weather conditions, hybrids dominate pearl growing areas, which can be attributed hybrid vigor active role of private sector. The importance cannot ruled out, owing wider adaptation, lower input cost, timely seed availability subsidiary farmers cultivating this crop. This study was conducted scrutinize presently used test for evaluation identify best locations, determine variation grain Fe Zn contents these regions. Six varieties were evaluated 20 A (pooled as A) B along common checks additional zonal adapted respective during 2019 rainy season. Recorded data yield quality traits analyzed using genotype main effects × environment interaction biplot method. (G E) found highly significant all agronomic micronutrients (iron zinc). However, genotypic effect (G) four (productive tillers) 49 (grain content) times G E various show flexibility OPVs. Ananthapuramu ideal site selecting cultivars effectively adaptation while Ananthapuramu, Perumallapalle, Gurugram also initial testing locations. MP 599 600 identified genotypes, because they showed higher fodder yields stability compared cultivars. Iron zinc concentration positive correlation (across = 0.83; p < 0.01), indicating possibility simultaneous effective selection traits. Three significantly low yielders than entries or individual potential genetic improvement through