Immediate effect of male and female gametes and N on five pearl millet grain characteristics

Journal Article · · Crop Sci.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5237404

Burton, G W; Rabson, R; Axmann, H

Pearl millet, Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke, inbreds Tift 12, Tift 13, Tift 18DB, Tift 23DB, Tift 239DB, and Bil 3B were grown in the field in plots fertilized with 15, 80, or 150 kg/ha of N with P and K adequate to study the immediate effect of male and female gametes and N on five pearl millet grain characteristics. Plants were replicated four times. Within each N-treatment plot selfed, sibbed, open-pollinated, and intermated seed was produced so that each genotype supplied both female and male gametes. Grain characteristics determined were thousand-kernel weight (TKW), total amino N and proline (Pro) N of grain acid hydrolysates, N/Pro ratio, and dye-binding capacity (DBC). Nitrogen treatments affected all grain characteristics except the N/Pro ratio, female gametes affected all grain characteristics, and male gametes affected TKW, proline and the N/Pro ratio significantly. The female effect was greater than the male effect. Open-pollinated seed was significantly higher than self-pollinated seed in all characteristics measured. The data show that pollen source has as immediate effect on three of the pearl millet grain characteristics measured. They also indicate that self-pollinated seed of pearl millet and perhaps other cross-pollinated crops should be used for the most accurate assessment of grain characteristics of any genotype. A minimum seed population and a standard pollen source could serve as an alternate but less desirable substitute for selfed seed for crops with a high degree of self-incompatibility.

• Research Organization: Office of Health and Environmental Research, Washington, DC
• DOE Contract Number: AS09-76EV00637
• OSTI ID: 5237404
• Journal Information: Crop Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: Crop Sci.; (United States) Vol. 20:1; ISSN CRPSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550400 -- Genetics
553000* -- Agriculture & Food Technology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
ALKALI METALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CEREALS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
CULTIVATION TECHNIQUES
ELEMENTS
FERTILIZERS
FLUIDS
GAMETES
GENETIC EFFECTS
GENOTYPE
GERM CELLS
GRAMINEAE
GRASS
METALS
MILLET
NITROGEN
NONMETALS
PHENOTYPE
PHOSPHORUS
PLANTS
POTASSIUM
SEEDS