Marker-assisted backcrossing to improve terminal drought tolerance in pearl millet

Several alternative marker-assisted backcrossing (MABC) procedures are described that can be used for transferring quantitative trait loci (QTLs) from a donor to an elite recurrent parent when these two lines have been used in forming the base mapping population. We describe ICRISAT’s experience to date in using these methods in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.). We are attempting to improve terminal drought tolerance of elite inbred pollinator H 77/833-2 using donor PRLT 2/89-33, and elite inbred seed parent maintainer line ICMB 841 using donor 863B. The advantages and disadvantages of the alternatives are discusse