OAR@ICRISATMale-sterile seed parents for the breeding of landrace-based topcross hybrids of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] for the arid zone. II. Downy mildew resistance, terminal drought tolerance, plant type and potential productivityF RBidingerauthorR PThakurauthorO PYadavauthorM MSharmaauthorTopcross hybrids (TCHs) of pearl millet (P. glaucum) based on landrace pollinator showed a clear advantage in stability of grain and stover yields, compared to their pollinator, in arid zone environments. TCHs were evaluated for downy mildew (Sclerospora graminicola) resistance, terminal drought tolerance, individual yield components and potential productivity to identify male-sterile (A) lines that would enhance the performance of TCHs compared to that of their landrace topcross pollinator (TCP). Downy mildew incidence in the TCHs ranged from 0 to 60%: several A-lines (841A, ICMA 88004, ICMA 91333, ICMA 92666, ICMA 94111, ICMA 97333 and RMS 3A) produced hybrids resistant to all three downy mildew pathotypes. Many A-lines produced TCHs which had positive drought response index, and hybrids based on sixteen of the A-lines evaluated were significantly better than their pollinator in their ability to set and fill grains under stress conditions at Patancheru (Andhra Pradesh, India). None of the A-lines produced TCH with significantly better tillering than ERajPop; however, tillering did not significantly vary between ten of the TCHs and TCP. The majority of the hybrids were significantly superior to their TCP for grain size, but this advantage was offset by significantly lower grain number per panicle in the two-thirds of the TCHs. Eight of the TCHs had significantly greater growth rates, and greater biomass, grain and/or stover yields than the TCP under high input conditions designed to evaluate potential productivity. Fertility restoration was adequate for the TCH of all A-lines except ICMA 90111 and ICMA 95333.Agriculture-Farming, Production, Technology, Economics2005Article

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