Genetic Gains in Pearl Millet in India: Insights Into Historic Breeding Strategies and Future Perspective

Pearl millet ( Pennisetum glaucum R. Br.) is an important staple and nutritious food crop in the semiarid arid ecologies of South Asia (SA) Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In view climate change, depleting water resources, widespread malnutrition, there a need to accelerate rate genetic gains pearl productivity. This review discusses past strategies future approaches meet demand. breeding India has historically evolved very comprehensively from open-pollinated varieties development hybrid breeding. Availability stable cytoplasmic male sterility system with adequate restorers strategic use resources SSA laid strong foundation Genetic diversification parental lines, periodic replacement hybrids, disease-resistant stress-tolerant cultivars have been areas high priority. As result, annual yield increase 4% realized last three decades. There considerable scope further efforts on for drought-prone SA SSA. Heterotic grouping lines essential sustain long-term gains. Time now ripe mainstreaming nutritional traits improvement programs. New opportunities are emerging improve efficiency precision Development application high-throughput genomic tools, speed breeding, phenotyping protocols be intensified exploit huge wealth native variation available