Division of Genetics, IARI, New Delhi
Online published on 25 January, 2012.
The downy mildew disease in pearl millet has beset the pearl millet crop during the past six years in India. A number of female lines showing resistance to downy mildew have been evolved at I.A.R.I. and amongst these 5054A, 5071 A, 5141A showing high combining ability for grain yield and combining high degree of disease resistance have become popular. Some of the hybrids developed here with these MS lines namely NHB-5 (5071A × K. 559), BJ. 104 (5141A × J. 104), BK. 230 (5141A × BK. 560–230), CJ, 104 (5054A × J. 104) have shown high degree of disease resistance and high stability over a wide set of environments and have been recommended for large scale cultivation in the country. Efforts are in progress to diversify the base of the hybrids. The A1 cytoplasm of the present male sterile lines is also showing signs of deterioration. The causes leading to epidemics of downy mildew have been discussed.
