Ten genetic sets of grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) each consisting of two pure lines, their F1, F2, and first backcrosses were studied at two locations in two years. Of characteristics observed, grain yield showed the highest heterosis [(F1—better parent)(100)/better parent] as averaged over the 10 sets and likewise had the greatest inbreeding depression [(F1—F2) (100)/F1]. Heterosis was low for plant height and negative for days‐to‐first‐bloom and kernel weight. Narrow sense heritability estimates, for the F2 generation, varied among sets. The estimates for days‐to‐first‐bloom, plant height, and kernel weight were relatively high. In contrast, grain yield had low heritability. Expected genetic advance in F3 yield under selection, was higher than actual advance for most sets, suggesting epistasis.

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Three spontaneous rnidribless mutants in pearl millet I Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leekej were identified after screening the world collection of over 17,000 germ plasm accessions. The m~dribless mutants are characterized by leaf blades that tend to droop because of the absence of a keel in the midrib portion of the leaf lamina. Seed set was drastically reduced in J 561 (India) and IP 6534 (Mali) midribless mutants as the gynoecium and androecium were affected. In another midribless mutant, IP 10154 (Mali), the gynoecium was absent or rudimentary, but the androecium was more prominent with prolific pollen shedding. Studies of F, segregation in reciprocal crosses between normal and their respective rnidribless mutants indicated that a single recessive gene controlled the midribless trait in each of the three mutants. Tests for complementation among the midribless mutants indicated that J 561 and IP 6534 have the same gene for the trait designated mrl,, and IP 101 54 has a different gene designated mrl,. The midribless trait in J 561 (mrl,) showed independent assortment with three qualitative seedling traits, viz., bright yellow (by by), glossy (81 go, and trichomeless (tr tr). Appa Rae, Gelletlc Resourcrs ICKlh,,T, Pa tants. Morphological characters were re-segregated for midribless and normal tanchew. 502 324, Andhra Pradesh. lndra corded using the standard pearl millet plants. Two of the midribless mutants (IP Journal of Heredity 1~88.79.1~-20, OULZ.IS(IRIXRIS:' 00 descriptors.~Ovule fertility and seed set 7 Kr~duru. P K K., and M. K r l~l i r~a Roo (ienetlcs of qualitative traits and linkirgr studlea 111 pearl millet 2 . Pflanzenzuchtg YO 1-22. 1983 X Kr~shnanwamy, N ,and ti N Rnr~gaswatrly Ayyangar. Analomical sludies III the leaves ol the ~~~i l l e t s , J Ind Bot Soc 21:249-262, 1942 !4 Kunlar, L. S S , altd H' V. Joshi. Experinlents orr the eflect ol X-rays on Pmnrretum lyphvrdeum Rlch. Ind J Agrir Sci. 9,675-684, 1939 10 Powell, J B .and C. W. Burton Gcnet~c suppression IJI shoot-trichomes ill pearl n~illet, Penniselum ryphordes Crop Sci 11:763-765, I971

The last one to two decades have seen several countries stipulating a mandatory requirement of 5-10% blending of biofuels with petrol and diesel. The mandatory blending has triggered a rapid growth in the biofuel sector. Several governments have put in place biofuel policies that have a bearing right from the production of biofuels crops at the farm to their conversion into transport-grade biofuels to be utilised for blending purpose. This paper highlights the salient features of India's biofuel policy and discusses how it influences the economic viability of ethanol production and its commercialisation in the country. The Government of India provides a wide range of policy incentives to promote biofuels as an alternative energy source. The policy challenges affecting biofuel development are discussed under the framework adapted from the Global Subsidies Initiative of Steenblik (2007) showing the existing policies and distortions along the biofuel supply chain to promote alternate feedstocks. For long-term sustainability of ethanol production for blending mandates, this paper explores the options to augment bioethanol production using alternative feedstocks like sweet sorghum that is grown in the drylands and policy support required for its promotion, which will benefit all the stakeholders of the bioethanol supply chain in the long run.

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