Exotic elite populations as sources for diversification of landraces of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Sr.]

The major requirement of pearl millet [Pennisetum gJaucum (L.) R. Sr.] breeding programmes targeting environmentally frC!gile arid regions is to breed genetically diverse materials that are both adapted to environmental stresses and also have an improved yield potential to allow them to respond to favourable conditions in good rainfall seasons. Genetic diversification of indigenous landraces using selected exotic, elite sources couid be an effective mean to achieve this objective. This study evaluated 13 diverse, exotic populations for their phenotypic characteristics, their productivity under arid zone conditions, and their potential usefulness as sources of diversification for local landraces. The biomass productivity, which was the major determinant of both grain and stover productivity, varied between 747 9 m-² and 942 g m-². A higher panicle number and early flowering favored greater grain yield, while later flowering and greater height fC!vored higher stover yield. Although biomass and HI were negatively correlated, grain yield was similarly and positively correlated to both, suggesting that both biomass accumulation and its partitioning to grain are important in determining grain yield performance in arid environments. The best populations for grain yield were ICMV 98792, MCNELC and ICMP 96132, which outyielded two improved checks (Raj 171 and CZP 923) by 16–24%. The magnitude of superiority of best populations over two checks for stover yield was 55–83%. There existed a good opportunity to select exotic sources with different combinations of panicle length and tillering. In addition, the downy mildew reaction of elite exotic sources is not likely to be a deterrent factor in utilizing the selected elite populations as sources of diversification of landraces.