Transgressive segregation in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum(L.)]

Studies on transgressive segregation in pearl millet revealed that, F2 generation of three crosses (RHRBI-138 X S/12–30074, RHRBI-138 X S/12–30088 and DHLBI-967 XS/12–30088)produced desirable transgressive sergeant's for the characters days to flowering, days to maturity, plant height, effective tillers per plant, ear head length, ear head girth, 1000-grain weight and grain yield per plant. Simultaneous transgressants were also noticed in F₂ generation of the three crosses for grain yield, ear head girth, 1000-grain weight, effective tillers per plant, ear head length and days to maturity. Top ranks for majority of the characters were obtained in the cross DHLBI-967 X S/12–30088, indicating its superiority in the production of desirable transgressive segregants for grain yield and yield contributing characters in pearl millet. The plant numbers 224 in cross RHRBI-138 X S/12–30074, 141 in cross RHRBI-138 X S/12–30088 and 149 in cross DHLBI-967 X S/12–30088 were identified as most promising transgressive sergeants ’. Those are needed to be evaluated for their performance andalso for rectifying weaknesses.