Cereals For The Semi-Arid Tropics

de Wet, J M J (1989) Cereals For The Semi-Arid Tropics. In: Proceedings Of An Advisory Group Meeting On The Possible Use Of Mutation Breeding For Rapid Domestication Of New Crop Plants, 17 To 21 Nov. 1986, Vienna, Australia.

Preview

PDF - Published Version Download (1MB) | Preview

Abstract

The region of semi-arid tropics is the most famine prone area of the world. This reglon with nearly one billion people extends across some 20 million square kilometrer. Major domesticated cereals adapted to semi-arid regions are sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L ) Moench), foxtail millet (Seraria rralica (L.)P . Bcauv.) and pearl miller (Pcnn~scrumg laucum (L.) R. Br.). Several minor cereals arc grown as speciality crops, or harvested in the wild in times of severe drought and scarcity. lmponant in the African Sahel are the fonios Digiraria ibum Sfapf. D. exilis (Kapist) Smpf and Brachiana dejlexa (Schurnach.) C.E. Hubbard. These species arc aggressive colonizers and are commonly encouraged as weeds in cultivated fields. Sown genotypes differ from their close wild relatives primarily in the lack of efficient natural seed dispersal. The fonios lend themselves to rap~dd omestication. Several wild cereals extend well beyond the limits of agriculfure into the Sahara. Commonly harvested are the perennial Sripagrosris pungens and Panicum rurgidum, and the annual Cenchrur brj7orvs (kram-kram). Kram-kram yields well under extreme heat and drought stress. and holds promise as a domesticated cereal. Sauwi millet (Panicurn sononun) is promising cereal in arid northwestern Mexico.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Divisions:	UNSPECIFIED
CRP:	UNSPECIFIED
Subjects:	Mandate crops > Millets Others > Agriculture-Farming, Production, Technology, Economics
Depositing User:	Library ICRISAT
Date Deposited:	05 Dec 2011 14:14
Last Modified:	05 Dec 2011 14:16
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/4275
Acknowledgement:	UNSPECIFIED
Links:	Author

View Statistics

Actions (login required)

View Item