Genetic characterization and evaluation of agronomic and nutritional traits of adapted pearl millet resources from West Sudan as basis for novel crop improvement strategies

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum, PM) is the most important rainfed staple food crop in Western Sudan (Darfur and Kordofan) which lies within the center of origin of PM. Novel crop improvement strategies require adapted germplasm in combination with superior genes to overcome production constrains (e.g., drought, downy mildew, Striga) and develop higher yielding and more stable varieties. Pearl millet breeding work in Sudan started in the mid 1970ies but due to too few breeders and narrow genetic base of breeding pools no great development has been achieved. In addition, civil war problems particularly in Western Sudan have caused losses of adapted genetic resources.

In the project a collection of about 200 accessions of landraces and local varieties from different ecological zones of Western Sudan will be evaluated. These resources are expected to include genotypes with superior agronomic and/or nutritional traits (Fe, Zn, beta-carotene). Identified superior genotypes can be used directly and/or as source for subsequent breeding activities.

In addition, the characterization of accessions using molecular markers shall provide information on the PM diversity present in Western Sudan and facilitate creation of heterotic gene pools for future breeding activities to exploit heterosis in e.g., top-cross and synthetic varieties.