Evaluation of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] for grain iron and zinc content in different agro climatic zones of India

Abstract

Micronutrient malnutrition, especially the paucity of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) is posing a big threat to the world affecting nearly 25% of worldwide population. Pearl millet is endowed with huge amount of variability for micronutrients especially for grain Fe and Zn content. Micronutrient enrichment in pearl millet is possible by identifying stable genotypes for high levels of micronutrients and utilising them in breeding programme. In this context, a set of 40 pearl millet genotypes along with one check, Dhanshakti (G30), were evaluated at three different agro climatic zones during the year 2014 for grain iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) contents using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. The genotypes contributed 58.3% and 52.8% of the total variation for grain Fe and Zn content, respectively. The magnitude of variation contributed by interaction component was also relatively high (39.7% and 32.5% for grain Fe and Zn). Both AMMI and GGE biplot analysis identified desirable genotypes; PPMI 708 (G40), PPMI 1102 (G25) and PPMI 683 (G39) for grain Fe content, whereas PPMI 708 (G40), PPMI 1116 (G24) and PPMI 683 (G39) for grain Zn content. The Pearson correlation coefficient for grain Fe and Zn content showed that both traits are highly associated (r = 0.8, p <0.01) and these traits did not associate significantly with grain yield. Hence, there is possibility for simultaneous improvement of both grain Fe and Zn content without compromising for grain yield.

Pearl Millet: A Climate-Resilient Nutricereal for Mitigating Hidden Hunger and Provide Nutritional Security

“…During the fourth phase, great emphasis was laid on the genetic diversity of seed and pollinator parents and adaptation to niche areas, resulting in the release of a large number of cultivars and a significant increase in productivity 31.1 kg/ha/year, which was almost five times in comparison with Green Revolution Era (Govindaraj et al, 2010 ; Kumara et al, 2014 ; Yadav et al, 2019 ). In the next phase, biofortification of the grain for micronutrients, largely for zinc and iron and application of molecular techniques were focused to speed up the cultivar development program (Rai et al, 2013 ; Kanatti et al, 2016 , Kumar et al, 2016 , 2018 ; Anuradha et al, 2017 ; Singhal et al, 2018 ; Govindaraj et al, 2019 ). These cultivars were widely adopted by Indian farmers resulting in enhanced crop productivity from 305 kg/ha during 1951–1955 to 998 kg/ha during 2008–2012 and 1,243 kg/ha during 2018–19 (Yadav and Rai, 2013 ; Satyavathi et al, 2020 ) ( Figure 2 ).…”

“…It also possesses the huge capability to eliminate micronutrient deficiency among developing countries (Rai et al, 2012 ; Anuradha et al, 2017 ; Singhal et al, 2018 ) as it supplies 30–40% of inorganic nutrients and bestows affordable staple food along with ample amounts of iron and zinc (Rao et al, 2006 ). It has very high nutritional values and is a good source of energy, carbohydrates, crude fibers [resistant starch (RS), soluble and insoluble dietary fibers], soluble and insoluble fat, proteins (8–19%), ash, dietary fibers (1.2 g/100 g), antioxidants and fat (3–8%) with better fat digestibility, iron, and zinc in comparison with other major cereals (Uppal et al, 2015 ).…”

Genotype by Environment Interaction Effect on Grain Iron and Zinc Concentration of Indian and Mediterranean Lentil Genotypes

“…Genotype by environment interaction influences micronutrient concentrations by affecting their uptake by roots, translocation through shoots and assimilation in grains [41]. Many researchers have documented significant effect of GEI for grain Fe and Zn concentrations in various crops including wheat [30][31][32], maize [34], sorghum [43], pearl millet [35,44] and lentil [45]. The high magnitude of genotypic effect implies hereditary factors do govern these traits but the presence of GEI and the environmental effect led differential responses of genotypes across environments.…”

Heterosis Studies for Grain Yield and its Contributing Traits in Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) under Different Sowing Conditions

“…Br.] is a nutritious, highly cross-pollinated C 4 monocot species belonging to the family Poaceae with protogynous condition and resilient crop in the face of climate change (Anuradha et al, 2017;Sangwan et al, 2019). It is mainly cultivated as a staple food crop in all around the world especially in dry and semi-dry regions of Asia, Africa and Latin America with more than 30 million hectares (Yadav and Rai, 2013).…”