PHB 2168 (National Identity No. 540925) is a grain purpose hybrid developed by Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana and released by Central Sub-committee on Crop Standards, Notification and Release of variety vide Notification No. 628, Sr. No. 7 dated 8th May, 2008 in the state of Punjab.
The Pearl millet hybrid PHB 2168, a single cross hybrid involving CMS (ICMA 92333) and fertility restorer line (PIB 686), is suitable for cultivation under rainfed conditions. Its plants are medium tall growing to a height of 2 1 0 cm, ears are 26 cm long with an average girth of 7.5 cm.The average grain yield is 2924 kg/ha compared to GHB 558 (2850 kg/ha) and Pusa 23 (2284 kg/ha) which is 2.0 and 28.0 per cent higher than the two checks GHB 558 and Pusa 23, respectively. It has been tested at 61 locations from 2004 to 2006 under the All India Coordinated Pearl Millet Improvement Project trials. It can be said that the new pearl millet hybrid PHB 2168 was better as compared to the check cultivars GHB 558 and Pusa 23 not only in the case of yield but disease and pest infestation as well.
