Indian Journal of Plant Genetic Resources
Year : 1989, Volume : 2, Issue : 1
First page : ( 32) Last page : ( 35)
Print ISSN : 0971-8184.

Evaluation and Utilization of Genetic Resources of Minor Millets

Chandra Umesh, Thomas T. A.

National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi.

Abstract

The National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, during the past 7–8 years, has been engaged actively in the exploration (collection), evaluation, conservation and utilization/exploitation of genetic resources of various species, namely, Setaria italica, Eleusine coracana, Panicum miliaceum, Panicum sumatrense, Echinochloa frumentacea, Echinochloa crus-galli and Paspalum scrobiculatum under minor millet group of crops. A total of 3,123 diverse genetic resources (905 collections in Setaria, 601 in Panicum, 983 in Eleusine sp., 386 in Echinochloa sp. and 248 in Paspalum scrobiculatum) assembled from diverse agro-climatic zones from within India and abroad, were evaluated thoroughly from 1980 to 1984 at Akola and Shimla locations for various agro-botanical and economic characters. The variability occurring in above crops for most of the agronomic attributes (including fodder characters), is of immense significance to the breeder. Crop catalogues for Foxtail and Kodo millet were published and on other species are under preparation. Donor types were identified for their use as direct introductions or as parents for evolving better varieties in these crops for both in the hills and plains. An account of the variability and promoising germplasm identified in each crop is presented in this paper.

Top