Identification and Screening of Restorers and Maintainers for different CMS Lines of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.)

For the evolution of new pearl millet hybrids with diverse cytoplasmic background suitable for specific areas and condition, there is a need for diversified CMS sources among locally adaptable lines and identification of locally adaptable restorers. The present study was undertaken to screen the male sterile and restorer lines among the crosses of five male sterile lines and thirty inbreds of pearl millet. Five isogenic alloplasmic male sterile lines (ICMA 94111A, 81A, ICMA 88004A, PT 5054A and 732A) were crossed with thirty inbreds in line x tester design, so as to obtain 150 F1 hybrids. F1’s were categorized as restorers (>80 % pollen fertility), partial restorers (20 to 79 % pollen fertility), partial maintainers (10-19 % pollen fertility) and maintainers (<10 % pollen fertility). Among the 150 hybrids studied, 43 complete sterile and 24 complete fertile hybrids were identified. The two inbreds namely PT 5259 and PT 5773 recorded sterility with four male sterile lines out of five male sterile lines used. The former expressed sterility with ICMA 88994A, 81A, ICMA 94111A and PT 5054A, the latter expressed sterility with the male sterile lines 81A, 732A, ICMA 94111A and PT 5054A. In case of 732A, maximum restores were observed and 10 inbreds showed complete fertility and only one inbred showed complete sterility. The identified restorers and maintainers could be utilized for development of new restorer lines/hybrids and CMS lines, respectively in future.