Exploiting genetic diversity for identification of protein dense seed parent in pearl millet

The present study was carried out to identify the protein dense pearl millet parental lines amongst 46 advanced inbred lines and designated B-lines (counterpart of CmS lines) during kharif 2013 & 14. analysis of variance indicated significant differences between the tested genotypes during both the seasons. Protein content of these inbred lines varied from 8.62 (tPBl-11-109) to 16.03% (HBl-0620) with an average value of 11.38% and 9.92% (HBl-94/54-1) to 15.38% (HBl-0620), while designated B-line ranged from 11.09% (HmS 26B) to 18.75% (HmS 18B) with an average value of 14.56% and 11.07% (HmS 33B) to 17.89% (HmS 18B) with an average value of 12.00% grown during kharif-2013 & 14 respectively. On the basis of two years mean performance, four inbred lines and 11 designated B-lines were selected as potential parental lines with >13% protein content, for development of protein rich pearl millet hybrids or composites.