Performance of Pearl Millet Hybrids for Earliness and Grain Yield in Indian Hot Arid Region

Pearl millet is important crop of arid parts, mainly grown for fodder and grain. The present productivity level of the arid region is low and needs to be increased. Hybrids have higher potential as compared to OPVs in pearl millet, hence development of large number of hybrids and subsequently its assessment in arid environment is very much essential. 184 single cross hybrids were assessed in arid region of Rajasthan during Kharif 2017 for earliness, grain yield and other traits. Average grain yield of test hybrids was 27.63 q/ha with minimum of 10.2 q/ha and maximum of 42.5 q/ha. Only 45 test hybrids had days to 50 % flowering less than 45 days, among them hybrids viz., ICMA 93333 x CZI 2003/1, ICMA 97111 x CZI 2003/1, ICMA 04999 x CZI 2010/11, ICMA 05444 x CZI 2003/1 and ICMA 93333 x CZI 2007/9 yielded more than 30 q/ha. Correlation was found to be positive and significant for grain yield with fodder yield and fodder yield with days to flowering, suggesting earliness may reduce fodder yield significantly. Hence it is necessary to breed highly vigorous early hybrids for grain and fodder both for the arid region.