In this essay we will discuss about:- 1. Distribution of Pearl Millet 2. Cultivated Species of Pearl Millet 3. Origin and Evolution 4. Reproduction and Pollination 5. Breeding Objectives 6. Breeding Procedures 7. Breeding Centres 8. Achievements.
Essay on Pearl Millet
Essay # 1. Distribution of Pearl Millet:
Pearl millet also known as Bajra, is an important food crop of semi-arid tropics. It belongs to the family Gramineae. Major pearl millet growing countries are Africa, India, Pakistan and South East Asia. In USA and Europe, pearl millet is grown as a fodder crop. In India, major pearl millet growing states are Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. The grains are used as food and stalk as cattle feed.
Essay # 2. Cultivated Species of Pearl Millet:
There is only one cultivated species of pearl millet, i.e. Pennisetum americanum. Earlier it was known as P. typhoides. The cultivated species is diploid (2n = 14). There are over 50 wild species of pearl millet in which chromosome number is multiple of 5, 7, 8 and 9. Two wild species, viz. Napier grass (P. purpureum) and P. squamulatum have been used in breeding programmes to develop perennial fodder varieties, and drought and cold resistant cultivars, respectively.
Essay # 3. Origin and Evolution of Pearl Millet:
Vast genetic diversity in pearl millet is found in West Africa and, therefore, it is generally accepted that Western Africa is the original home of pearl millet. It spread to other countries from Africa in course of time. Nothing is so far known about the ancestor of cultivated pearl millet.
Essay # 4. Reproduction and Pollination in Pearl Millet:
Pearl millet is a seed propagated and cross pollinated crop. Natural cross pollination is more than 80% which occurs mainly by wind. In pearl millet, protogyny, promotes cross pollination. An isolation distance of 1000 metres and 200 metres is essential for the production of foundation and certified seeds. Some wild species of pearl millet such as Napier grass also propagates asexually by means of rhizomes.
Essay # 5. Breeding Objectives of Pearl Millet:
Main breeding objectives are: higher yield, early maturity, better quality and resistance to biotic (diseases and insects) and abiotic (lodging and drought) stresses. Major yield components include ear size and compactness, number of productive tillers per plant and test weight.
Downy mildew, ergot, rust and smut are the major diseases. Insects are not serious problems in this crop. Bold, lustrous and pearly amber grains are considered desirable for human consumption in the form of various preparations.
Essay # 6. Breeding Procedures in Pearl Millet:
In pearl millet, mass selection, heterosis breeding and synthetic breeding procedures are widely used for development of cultivars. Backcross method is used especially for development of disease resistant cultivars. Recurrent selection, disruptive mating and selection and biparental mating would be rewarding in population improvement programmes.
Biotechnology is expected to play important role in pearl millet improvement in future. Embryo rescue technique will help in making distant crosses successful and somaclonal variation will be useful in developing resistant cultivars to biotic and abiotic stresses.
Essay # 7. Breeding Centres of Pearl Millet:
International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, India, serves as a world centre for the genetic improvement of pearl millet. It also maintains global gene pool of pearl millet. ICRISAT deals with five crops viz. pearl millet, Sorghum, chickpea, pigeon-pea and groundnut.
At National level, pearl millet improvement work is carried out by State Agricultural Universities of concerned states, Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI), Jodhpur and various private registered seed companies.
New cultivars are released after multi-location testing for 3-5 years under coordinated trials. All India coordinate pearl millet improvement project is located at Agricultural Research Station, RAU, Mandore, Jodhpur (Rajasthan).
Essay # 8. Practical Achievements of Pearl Millet:
Several high yielding varieties and hybrids of pearl millet have been developed in India for different pearl millet growing states. Two varieties, viz. ICMS 7703 and ICTP 8203 and two hybrids, viz. ICMH 423 and ICMH 451 have been released by ICRISAT for India.
Important varieties developed by Research Stations of Agricultural Universities and other organizations are listed below:
i. Hybrids:
HHB 45, HHB 50, HHB 60, HHB 67, from Hisar; GHB 27, GHB 30, GHB 181 from Jamnagar (Gujarat); Pusa 23 from IARI; PHB 47 from Punjab. Other hybrids include HBH 128, MBH 130, MH 143, MH 169, MH 179, MH 180, MH 82, MH 208 etc.
ii. Varieties:
PSB 8, PSB 15, PSB 2, HC 4, RH R1, PCB 15, Mukta, Mallikarjun, Pusa safed Bajra etc.
All hybrids are CMS based. Tift 23A and Ludhiana cytoplasm have been used as sources of CMS in pearl millet improvement.
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