Biotech Updates

Breeding Options for Adaptation of Pearl Millet and Sorghum to Climate Variability in West Africa

June 22, 2012

Scientists from the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid-Tropics (ICRISAT) conducted a study summarizing strategies for plant breeders to enhance the adaptation of pearl millet and sorghum  to climate variability in West Africa.

Among the  study's recommendation are development of variety types with high degrees of heterozygosity and genetic heterogeneity and traits that potentially enhance adaptive phenotypic plasticity or yield stability in variable climates such as  photoperiod-sensitive flowering, plastic tillering, flooding tolerance, seedling heat tolerance, and phosphorus efficiency.

For more information, visit http://oar.icrisat.org/6012/.