Development of transgenics for fungal resistance and discovery of chemically induced mutations in Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) population by TILLINGNJalajaauthorProtocols for in vitro plantlet regeneration in pearl millet and genetic transformation using inflorescence derived callus cultures via Agrobacterium and microprojectile methods were standardized. Transgenic pearl millet plants were confirmed by gene specific amplification of chitinase and osmotin and also the bar genes. However, the transgenics turned out to be sterile, though pollen was produced. � Mutagenized population of pearl millet from inbred line P1449-2-P1 was produced using the chemical mutagen ethylmethane sulfonate and M2 generation was raised. Phenotypic analysis was carried out in M2 generation. The mutagenized population was screened for point mutations using the TILLING technique. � The mutant lines (9,938 lines) were screened for two candidate genes, one associated with water stress (dehydration responsive element binding factor, DREB2A) and the second associated with pathogen resistance (enhanced disease resistance, EDR2). � Allele mining was carried out for DREB2A gene; amino acid arginine was changed to threonine and serine to proline in the hot spot region that was predicted by the CODDLE software. It is hoped that these amino acid changes would bring loss of function of this gene and thus can help to find out the function of the gene under water stress conditions. � TILLING was performed for EDR2 gene; but because of non-specificity, the mutations could not be detected in the LICOR gel.Millets2011Osmania University;Department of GeneticsThesis