Apomictic interspecific hybrids between pearl millet and Pennisetum orientale L. C. Rich
Pearl millet, Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke, is an important world food and forage crop. Pennisetum orientale L.C. Rich. has genes for apomixis, perennial growth habit, pest resistance, and drought tolerance which could be used to improve pearl millet. The objectives of this research were to determine the cytotaxonomic relationship of these two species and to explore the feasibility of interspecific germplasm transfer. Five interspecific hybrids, 2n = 25, with 7 large P. americanum millet (A) and 18 small P. orientale (0) chromosomes were produced by pollinating cytoplasmic male sterile pearl millet with P. orientale pollen. Although the possibility of germplasm exchange existed, the two species appeared to be not closely related. Among three hybrids examined, one was a facultative apomict, one was an obligate apomict and another was highly apomictic with 3% of ovules with sexual embryo sacs. Sixteen backcross progenies were established from interspecific hybrids pollinated with pearl millet pollen. The balanced chromosome number for both species in these latter plants should provide a mechanism for restoring fertility in the interspecific hybrid thus enabling germplasm transfer. The interspecific hybrids were male sterile but set about 1% seed when pollinated with pearl millet pollen.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Georgia, Tifton
- DOE Contract Number:
- AS09-76EV00637
- OSTI ID:
- 5176904
- Journal Information:
- Crop Sci.; (United States), Vol. 22
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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