Identification and Utilization of Smut Resistance in Pearl Millet

This Bulletin describes the progress made at ICRISAT Center, on the identification and ut ilization of smut{Tolyposporium penicillariae) resistance in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) from 1976 to 1990. This has been one of the major objectives of ICRISAT's research on pearl millet improvement. At ICRISAT Center, host-plant resistance has been central to the strategy of plant disease control , whose three major components arc identification, utilization, and deployment of resistance. During the past 10 years, more than 10700 entries from different sources were screened using a field-screening technique developed at ICRISAT Center. Sources of smut resistance in germplasm representing diverse ecogeographical zones have been identified. Following pedigree breeding and artificial screening methods, many smut-resistant lines were selected, of which a few were intermated to generate genetically more diverse and agronomically superior lines. Several lines with stable resistance have been identified, and six of these lines have been notified for use in resistance breeding programs. Significant progress has been made in the use of these smut-resistant source lines in breeding programs to develop open-pollinated varieties, malesterile lines, and hybrids. Several promising varieties have been produced so far. This Bulletin, should be useful to breeders and pathologists involved in the genetic improvement of pearl millet . It is aimed at helping them achieve sustained increase in productivity by reducing grain yield losses from smut in pearl millet. Small quantities of seed of smut-resistant lines, described in this Bulletin, are available on request