Variability Study in Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) Landraces from the Northern Nigeria

Abstract

Genetic variation is the basic material for selection and improvement of any crop in breeding programme. These Characters are fast eroding in peart millet as natural habitats of wild cultivated species are being destroyed and modern cultivars replacing the traditional cultivars; in view of global Climate change ravaging most Savanna region of the country, pearl millet has now become a choice crop for cultivation in these areas, due to it drought tolerance and ability to survive under adverse conditions. This premise necessitate collection and characterisation of the crop germplasm for identification and selection of promising genotypes with high yielding traits that could be used for the crop improvement. A total of thirty five (35) pearl millet accessions were collected from the major cultivated states in Nigeria. These include; twenty five (25) landraces from farmers through direct contact and 10 genotypes from National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB), Ibadan, Nigeria. The genotypes were evaluated for morphological and yield parameters using a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) with replicate three each. Significant (P< 0.05) wide range of variability was observed in all the morphological characters assessed with different trait been favoured by different genotypes. Highest plant height was recorded in KD-CK-01 (371.85 cm), followed by NGB 501 (336.99 cm) and the least height in accession NG-ZA-05) with the value of 170.58 cm. Days to anthesis among the accessions ranged from 66.33 to 90.00 days for early variety and 106.00 to 129.33 days for late varieties. In terms of panicle yield, highest panicle weight and weight of 1900 seeds were obtained in accession JG-DU-01 with the value of 75.55 g and 14.19 g respectively. Principal component analysis of the nine morphological parameters accessed; grouped the trait into nine components, which accounted for complete 100% variability among the accessions. Based on morphological similarity, cluster analysis grouped the accessions into three major clusters, with cluster I consisting 68.57% of the genotypes, 5.72% in cluster II and 25.71% in cluster III. The high variability recorded in the germplasm with further characterisation of the accessions using molecular tool could lead to the selection of accession(s) which could be explored in breeding programme of the crop.