Improvement in Pearl Millet Grain and Stover Yields through Hybridization between Indian and African Germplasm under Arid Zone Conditions

Abstract

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is valued for both grain and stover in arid and semi-arid regions. This study
was designed to measure the magnitude of improvement for grain and stover yields in crosses between Indian
landrace-based populations and African composites. Twenty crosses produced from four landrace populations
and five elite composites were evaluated for four seasons under rainfed conditions of arid zone. Improvement in
crosses was measured as percent increase (referred to as heterosis) in cross performance over landrace parent.
There was differential expression of heterosis for different traits. Heterosis in individual crosses was between
+32% to -6% for grain yield, +62% to -14% for stover yield and +48% to -10% for biomass. Positive heterosis
for biomass resulted into positive heterosis for both grain and stover yields. Contradictory contribution of
heterosis for harvest index on grain yield and stover yield heterosis was observed. Only those crosses that had
a combination of high heterosis for biomass with no negative heterosis for harvest index resulted into positive
heterosis for grain and stover yields.