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

Milestone 5A.7.1.2: Genetical studies of diverse CMS systems completed (KNR/RB, 2009)
This research was a part of a PhD thesis that was completed in 2005. Drafts of the genetics of two CMS systems
have been prepared. The publication of this work will start in 2007 and will be completed by 2009.
KN Rai and Ranjana Bhattacharjee
Output target 5A.8: Pearl millet technology exchange, capacity building and impact assessment undertaken
and documented (2009).
Activity 5A.8.1: Enhance technology exchange and partnership building, and assess its impact
Milestone 5A.8.1.1: Seed of hybrid parents and breeding lines multiplied and distributed (KNR/RB, annual)
In response to seed requests, 1200 seed samples were supplied to public and private organizations (263 public and
937 private) within India, and about 730 samples of breeding materials supplied to about 10 countries abroad
(Africa, USA and UAE). We produced 400 kg breeder seed of ICTP 8203 and 228 kg was supplied from the carryover
stock. Also, we supplied 320 kg breeder seed of seven hybrid parental lines. In addition, about 300 kg breeder
seed of two seed parental lines (ICMA/B 89111 and ICMA/B 93333) was multiplied.
KN Rai
Milestone 5A.8.1.2: ICRISAT’s research partnerships with NARS, networks and regional fora strengthened
((KNR/CLLG/Pearl Millet Team, annual)
Under the ICAR-ICRISAT partnership project, 8 trials (6 hybrid trials, and one each of biofortification and salinity
trials) and 11 nurseries (7 maintainer and 4 restorer lines) were constituted and sent to the AICPMIP coordinator for
coordinating the evaluation at 14 locations. NARS and the private sector scientists were involved in planning for an
international course on Pearl Millet Improvement and Seed Production and also serving as resource persons. NARS
scientists were increasingly involved in project development, joint publications, and facilitation of a research grant
from ICAR for DM resistance marker selection work.
During a brief visit to two research centers in Mexico, presentations were made on adaptation and yield potential of
pearl millet for grain and fodder production to assess the prospects of pearl millet and develop possible research
collaboration for introducing this crop for crop diversification in that country. Similar presentations were made and
pearl millet and sorghum trials evaluated during a 2-week visit to several research stations and universities in
Central Asia (Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan) to assess the prospects of pearl millet in this region.
There is keen interest among NARS to introduce pearl millet for crop diversification and farmers livelihood
improvement in Central Asia and Mexico. Also, linkages were developed for testing the prospects of pearl millet in
Morocco and China.
ICRISAT-Private Sector partnership was further strengthened with 20 new seed companies joining the Pearl Millet
Hybrid Parents Consortium in 2006, taking it to a total of 34 consortium members. Maharashtra State Seed
Corporation, the first public-sector seed producing agency coordinated a 21-entry trial of consortium hybrids from
10 seed companies at 9 locations, including Patancheru. Analysis of Patancheru data showed that none of the
hybrids produced higher grain yield over the high-yielding check 7688 (4330 kg ha -1 ). However, for dry fodder
yield, the hybrids of GK 1059 and KH 325 were 35 and 9% superior over the check 7688 (4480 kg ha -1 ), and the
flowering of all the entries ranged between 46 and 52 days, while 7688 flowered in 48 days and HHB 67-2 in 38
days
KN Rai, CLL Gowda and Pearl Millet Team
Milestone 5A.8.1.3: International Pearl Millet Training Course (2009) and Field Day (2006, 2008, 2010, 2012)
conducted (KNR/CLL/Pearl Millet Team)
Pearl millet scientists field day: Pearl Millet Scientists Field Day held on 14−15 September 2006 at ICRISAT,
Patancheru had 60 scientists from 12 public and 32 private organizations. The participants selected breeding lines
and potential parents (A-, B- and R-lines) of hybrids for utilization in their programs. All the private sector requests
have been obtained and consolidated which shows that 1382 breeding lines/parental lines of potential hybrids were
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