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Forage Yield, Seed Weight, and Inflorescence Characteristics of Isogenic Pearl Millet Hybrids with Four Different Cytoplasms¹

Valuable traits that are present in the cytoplasm can be used to improve plants. Using such traits has been demonstrated with cytoplasmic-genic male sterility. The purpose of this research was to determine if there were cytoplasmic effects due to the A₁, A₂, B₁, or B₂ cytoplasm in near-isogenic pearl millet, Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke, hybrids on dry matter yield, inflorescence characteristics, days to flower, and seed set and weight. Replicated field tests were grown in 1975, 1977, 1978, and 1981 on a Fuquay soil (loamy, siliceous, thermic arenic Plinthic Paleudults). Differences in dry matter yields were non-significant (P = 0.05). Plants with the B₂ cytoplasm had significantly shorter inflorescences. No differences were observed in inflorescence width. The difference in days to flower was significant with 1 days being the maximum difference between cytoplasms which probably is of little economic significance. There were significant differences between cytoplasms for selfed seed set but not for openpollinated seed set indicating that differences in seed set were due to fertility restoration. ‘Tift 239D2B2’ was a better fertility restorer for the A, cytoplasm than ‘Tift 23D₂B₂’ was for the A₂ cytoplasm. Seed weight differences were related to seed set with plants setting fewer seeds producing heavier seeds. No significant maternal or A and B line effects were detected in this study.

Key Words: Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke • Genes • Inbreds • Cytoplasmic male sterility • Maternal effects • A line • B line

² Research geneticist, USDA, ARS, and the Univ. of Georgia, College of Agric. Exp. Stn., Coastal Plain Stn., Agronomy Dep., Tifton, GA 31793.

Received for publication November 24, 1981.