Selection of Drought Tolerance Pearl Millet Hybrids for Arid and Semi-Arid region using the Stress Indices

The present Findings were conducted to help  identify F₁ hybrids suitable for arid and semi-arid areas in pearl millet based on stress indices. Seventy-seven F1 hybrids along with three standard checks were laid down in randomized block design with three replications in three different environments. The nine stress indices viz., stress tolerance (TOL), stress susceptibility index (SSI), stress tolerance index (STI), mean productivity (MP), geometric mean productivity (GMP), yield index (YI), yield susceptibility index (YSI), harmonic mean (HM), and sensitivity drought index (SDI) were calculated using grain yield per plant in stressed and non-stressed conditions to screen the hybrids for moisture stress tolerance based on grain per plant. Pooled ANOVA showed that genotype, environment, and genotype x environment interaction effects were highly significant for both characters. Mean grain yield and dry stover yield per plant of hybrids decreased under stress environment. On the basis of different moisture stress tolerance indices, the crosses viz., ICMA 98222 x BIB 481-500, ICMA 97444 x BIB 571-580, ICMA 88004 x BIB 501-510, ICMA 30201 x BIB 511-520, ICMA 10444 x BIB 511-520, ICMA 93333 x BIB 531-540 and ICMA 30201 x BIB 561-570 were identified as most tolerant for moisture stress conditions. Therefore, these crosses can be adapted for higher yield in drought-affected areas and can be used as a parent for a hybridization program for moisture-stress tolerance breeding as well as developing moisture stress tolerant populations.