Genetic Resources Diversity of Finger Millet – a Global Perspective

Upadhyaya, H D (2007) Genetic Resources Diversity of Finger Millet – a Global Perspective. In: Finger millet Blast Management in East Africa. Creating opportunities for improving production and utilization of finger millet Proceedings Of the First International Finger millet Stakeholders Workshop, 13-14 September 2005, Nairobi, Kenya.

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Abstract

Finger millet is a traditional grain cereal in Africa and South Asia. The crop has a wide range of adaptation, can withstand adverse soil and weather conditions, and is grown at altitudes from sea level to about 2,400 m. The grain yield potential is good, and the grain is highly nutritious, particularly rich in methionine, iron and calcium. However, finger millet has been neglected by mainstream research. One way to boost production and productivity and enhance acceptability is to assemble diverse germplasm resources, characterise them to identify traits of agronomic importance, and use them to breed superior varieties. ICRISAT’s genebank in Patancheru, India, holds 5,949 germplasm accessions from 23 countries. Of the six races of finger millet, Vulgaris is the most predominant (61% of the total collections). The accessions have been characterised for five qualitative and 14 quantitative traits. The quantitative data show that the race Africana is more distinct than other races, and had the highest means for 10 out of 14 traits measured. To overcome the problems of managing a large collection and to enhance the use of germplasm in crop improvement, ICRISAT has developed a core collection containing 622 accessions (10% of the entire collection) based on geographical origin and quantitative traits. The core collection was evaluated in 2004 and a further mini-core collection (10% of the core or 1% of the entire collection) was constituted, with 65 accessions. In addition, a composite set of germplasm comprising 1,000 accessions has been developed under the Generation Challenge Program. This set is being characterised; microsatellite markers will be used to access the genes for beneficial traits.

Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Divisions: UNSPECIFIED
CRP: UNSPECIFIED
Subjects: Mandate crops > Millets
Depositing User: Mr Sanat Kumar Behera
Date Deposited: 22 Nov 2011 08:44
Last Modified: 22 Nov 2011 08:44
URI: http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/4222
Acknowledgement: UNSPECIFIED
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