ICRISAT Archival Report 2006 - The seedlings of success in the ...

molecular markers. Material for this research has largely been assembled, tools and methods are being finalized.
Protocols for phenotyping are available now, but need to be published.
Activity 3B4.1: Phenotyping and genotyping sorghum and pearl millet lines and accessions
Milestones: Paper published on effect of photoperiod on growth and development of West-African sorghum and
pearl millet varieties (2007)
The 24 th of the two year series of monthly sowings of 12 pearl millet varieties was completed in June 2006. An
additional sowing has been done in November 2006 to compensate for the failure of the sowing of November 2004.
A publication is under preparation combining the results from the sorghum observations, with these new pearl millet
results.
B Clerget, HFW Rattunde, BIG Haussmann, E Weltzien and S Boureima
Output Target 3B5: Improving plant growth model for highly photoperiod-sensitive sorghum and pearl
millet
Understanding the biology of photoperiod sensitivity, and modelling plant growth and development of photoperiod
sensitive sorghum and pearl millet are instrumental for devising avenues for further improvements of productivity,
as well as for predicting responses to existing and future climate variability. A key issue for predicting varietal
adaptation is a better understanding of the relationships between latitude and photoperiod-sensitivity. Trials to arrive
at a better understanding of this situation have put in place over a large range of latitudes in WCA and ESA.
Similarly crucial for the adaptation and stability of productivity of the local cereals is a better understanding of the
relationship between root, shoot growth and grain yield potential of photoperiod sensitive varieties. Studies have
been initiated but require confirmation across years with different rainfall regimes.
Activity 3B5.1: Study relationships between latitude and photoperiod-sensitivity in sorghum and pearl millet
Milestones: Multi-latitudinal trials from equator to temperate latitudes conducted, data assembled (2008)
Five sorghum and five pearl millet West African varieties have been sown in May, June and July 2006 at the
CIRAD station, Lavalette, Montpellier, France (43° 37’N). Leaf appearance and panicle initiation have been
recorded. An international experiment on the effect of the latitude on the photoperiod-sensitivity of sorghum has
been planned. From December 2006 to December 2007, 10 sorghum varieties from West, East and South Africa,
will be monthly sown in Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Mali.
B Clerget and M Mgonja
Output target 3B6: Groundnut breeding lines with resistance to groundnut rosette disease, early and late
leaf spots and aflatoxin contamination available for distribution
In groundnut genetic enhancement, there has been a shift in emphasis from single stress factor resistance to multiple
stress factors resistance to ensure wide adaptability of newly developed genotypes in the semi-arid tropics. Our
collaborators have access to early-generation breeding populations, advanced breeding populations, and nearfinished
genotypes to enrich and diversify their national programs. ICRISAT is continuing to make new segregating
lines, and stable varieties available to NARS partners for testing and release. Most of this work is being conducted in
a collaborative manner, and involves farmers in the variety evaluation phase. Variety releases for specific countries
are imminent, and farmers are continuing to adopt the new varieties from the trials plots. Increasing the availability
of breeder’s seed is increasing the potential for adoption of these varieties.
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