Identification of High-Yielding Iron-Biofortified Open-Pollinated Varieties of Pearl Millet in West Africa

Pearl millet is a predominant food and fodder crop in West Africa. This study was carried out to test the newly developed open-pollinated varieties (OPVs) for field performance stability grain yield, iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) contents across 10 locations Africa (i.e., Niger, Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Ghana). The material consisted of 30 OPVs, which 8 are Fe/Zn biofortified. experiment conducted randomized complete block design three replications. ANOVA revealed highly significant variability yield micronutrient traits. presence genotype × environment (G E) indicated that expressions traits significantly influenced by both genetic G E factors, Fe Zn contents. Days 50% flowering plant height showed less E, suggesting these largely under control. genotypes CHAKTI (46 days), ICTP 8203 ICMV 177002 (50 177003 (48 Moro (53 days) had exhibited early leading physiological maturity. (1.42 t/ha yield; 62.24 mg/kg Fe, 47.29 Zn) ICMP (1.19 62.62 46.62 have performed well also micronutrients, locations, compared with check. Additive Main Effect Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) genotypic differences, mean sum squares environment, its interaction genotypes. Based on AMMI value (ASV), most stable SOSAT-C88 (ASV = 0.04) resistance downy mildew; rankings (YSI) CHAKTI, SOSAT-C88, IS 99001 were high yielding expressed regions. strong correlation ( r 0.98 ?? ) merits Fe-based selection rewarding. outperformed over other (71% higher), especially maturing Africa, such as GB 8735, LCIC 9702, Jirani, (16.11% higher) (7% made candidate high-iron variety be promoted combating malnutrition Central (WCA).