Morphological characterization of pearl millet hybrids (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) and their parents

Singh S et al., 'Morphological characterization of pearl millet hybrids (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) and their parents', African Journal of Agricultural Research, vol. 11(5), pp.371-378, Academic Journals, 2016

The present study was undertaken to characterize pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) hybridsand their parents on the basis of morphological descriptors with the objective to identify key diagnosticcharacters of the genotypes. A set of 24 pearl millet genotypes (7 hybrids and their 17 parental lines)was evaluated in randomized block design (RBD) with three replications at two locations, ChaudharyCharan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (CCS HAU) Hisar and Regional Research Station (RRS)Bawal (Rewari) under irrigated and rainfed conditions, respectively, during kharif, 2011. Observationswere recorded for 28 morphological and yield characters. All genotypes were classified into differentgroups based on each character. Nodal pubescence, nodal pigmentation, spike shape, spike density,spike tip sterility, sheath pubescence and spikelet glum colour distinguished all the 24 genotypes byassigning them key diagnostic features that would certainly help the plant breeders, seed growers andseed certification agencies to use these diagnostic characters. Hybrids HHB 216, HHB 226, HHB 117could be differentiated by bristle length, spikelet glume colour and spike tip sterility. Majority of themorphological characters found to be dominant in the hybrids were contributed by the male parent