Micronutrient Density and Stability in West African Pearl Millet– Potential for Biofortification

Pucher, A and Hogh-Jensen, H and Gondah, J and Hash, C T and Haussmann, B I G (2014) Micronutrient Density and Stability in West African Pearl Millet– Potential for Biofortification. Crop Science, 54 (4). pp. 1709-1720. ISSN 1435-0653

PDF - Published Version Restricted to ICRISAT users only Download (1MB) | Request a copy

Abstract

Pearl millet (Cenchrus americanus (L.) Morrone) is one of the most important cereals in West and Central Africa (WCA). Human populations in WCA are strongly affected by micronutrient deficiencies. Biofortification, the development of pearl millet varieties with enhanced micronutrient levels is recognized as a suitable approach to reduce this widespread health problem. To assess the potential of biofortification of WCA pearl millet germplasm, we studied quantitative-genetic parameters of eight mineral densities in whole and decorticated grains, their stability over environments and the correlations among minerals and agro morphological traits. The study included 72 WCA pearl millet genotypes which were grown in three environments in Niger, contrasting in soil fertilization. Significant genotypic effects, moderate estimates of heritability, and genetic variation for mineral densities, especially for Fe and Zn, indicate a high potential for biofortification of WCA pearl millet. However, screening of additional landraces or introgression of favorable alleles from highly nutrient dense Indian germplasm could expedite achievement of higher densities. Genotype-by environment interaction effects were significant for Fe and Zn grain densities, showing the importance of multi-environmental evaluation to identify stable genotypes. Identified genotypes with relatively stable Fe and Zn grain densities appear suitable for use in future WCA pearl millet biofortification breeding programs.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	RP-Dryland Cereals
CRP:	CGIAR Research Program on Dryland Cereals
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Biofortification, West Africa
Subjects:	Mandate crops > Millets > Pearl Millet Others > Food and Nutrition
Depositing User:	Mr Siva Shankar
Date Deposited:	03 Mar 2014 08:21
Last Modified:	29 Dec 2016 10:19
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/7573
Official URL:	http://dx.doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2013.11.0744
Projects:	GIZ project numbers (05.7860.9-001.00 and 09.7860.1-001.00)
Funders:	German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), HarvestPlus Challenge Program, McKnight Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Acknowledgement:	The authors are grateful to the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) for financial support to the field research presented here (GIZ project numbers 05.7860.9- 001.00 and 09.7860.1-001.00); to the HarvestPlus Challenge Program for financially supporting the grain-quality analyses; to the McKnight Foundation Collaborative Crop Research Program for the discretionary research funds provided to B.I.G. Haussmann, used to support A. Pucher, and to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for financial support to C.T. Hash’s salary and operations. This publication was finalized as part of the CGIAR Research Program on Dryland Cereals.
Links:	Google Scholar

View Statistics

Actions (login required)

View Item