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Optimizing seed quality during germplasm regeneration inpearl millet

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Abstract

The effect of water stress during flowering and grain filling on seed longevity was studied in three pearl millet genotypes,ICTP-8202, ICTP-8203 and MBH-110. The seeds were produced by three pollination methods; open pollination, selfing(individual panicles enclosed in paper bags), and cluster bagging (panicles from 3–4 adjacent plants enclosed in a paper bag), stored in air-tight plastic bottles underambient conditions (20–40 °C,30–80%RH) and germination was tested at 12-month'sintervals. The seeds lost germination completely after six years ofstorage in all treatments. Analysis of variance of the estimates of potential seed longevity (i.e. the seed lot constantK i of the seed viabilityequation) showed significant effects of water stress andpollination method (P < 0.01). The interaction between irrigation treatment and method of pollination control was also significant (P < 0.05). Averaged over genotypes and pollination methods,potential longevity was greatest(K i = 2.8) in theirrigated control, and averaged over genotypes and irrigationtreatments, it was greatest (K i= 3.1) in seeds produced by open pollination. Theimplications of these results were discussed in relation to germplasmseed production.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ICRISAT, Genetic Resources and Enhancement Program, Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh, 502 324, India E-mail

    N. Kameswara Rao, P.J. Bramel, K.N. Reddy, S.D. Singh, A.G. Girish & V. Mahalakshmi

  2. Lao-IRRI Project, Vientiane, Lao PDR

    S. Appa Rao

Authors
  1. N. Kameswara Rao
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  2. P.J. Bramel
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  3. K.N. Reddy
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  4. S.D. Singh
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  5. A.G. Girish
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  6. S. Appa Rao
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  7. V. Mahalakshmi
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Correspondence to N. Kameswara Rao.

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Kameswara Rao, N., Bramel, P., Reddy, K. et al. Optimizing seed quality during germplasm regeneration inpearl millet. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution 49, 153–157 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1014796825318

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1014796825318

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