Breeding Hexaploid Pennisetums for Improved Seed Production

Interspecific hybrids between pearl millet (Pennisetum glacum) and elephantgrnss (P. purpureum) have many desirable characteristics, but they are sterile and do not have the ability to reproduce subsequent generations from seed. To overcome this barrier, we have obtained fertile hexaploids and have begun a breeding and selection programme among hexaploid progeny which produce seed. Seven hexaploid genotypes were selected and characterised as to panicle, seed and seedling traits. Weight of 100 seeds ranged from 0.152 to 0.247 g for the different genotypes. The number of seed harvested varied from 190 to over 700 per panicle. Germination of seed ranged from 68 to 81 %, and the larger seed germinated more quickly and had greater seedling vigour. A breeding scheme comparing mass selection and recurrent restricted phenotypic selection (RRPS) for seeded hybrids is also underway.