Little millet Characterization
The characterization of germplasm is essential for its effective use in crop improvement. Phenotypic characterization involves recording traits that are highly heritable, easily observable, and consistently expressed across different environments. The ICRISAT germplasm accessions are characterized at the Patancheru location in India (Latitude: 17.51° N, Longitude: 78.27° E, Altitude: 545 m). The descriptors developed for characterization and preliminary evaluation are followed for each crop assessed. Detailed crop-specific characterization information can be found in the ICRISAT Genebank Technical Manual manual.
https://genebank.icrisat.org/IND/Char_Littlemillet?Crop=Little%20millet
The characterization of germplasm is essential for its effective use in crop improvement. Phenotypic characterization involves recording traits that are highly heritable, easily observable, and consistently expressed across different environments. The ICRISAT germplasm accessions are characterized at the Patancheru location in India (Latitude: 17.51° N, Longitude: 78.27° E, Altitude: 545 m). The descriptors developed for characterization and preliminary evaluation are followed for each crop assessed. Detailed crop-specific characterization information can be found in the ICRISAT Genebank Technical Manual manual.
Number of days from first irrigation after sowing to when 50% of plants flower in an accession is recorded during rainy season.
Color of the plant recorded at flowering stage.
Measured from ground level to tip of inflorescence (ear) of the main tiller of five randomly selected competitive plants at dough stage.
Pattern of growth and tillering attitude is recorded at flowering.
Count the number of tillers including main stem at dough stage. Five randomly selected competitive plants are used for taking observation.
Number of culm branches on the main stem at maturity is recorded.
Thickness of main stem between 3rd and 4th nodes at dough stage. Five randomly selected competitive plants are used for taking observation.
Length of the main tiller’s flag leaf from ligule to tip is measured at flowering stage. Five randomly selected competitive plants are used for taking
Widest point of the main tiller’s flag leaf is measured at flowering stage. Five randomly selected competitive plants are used for taking observation.
Measured from main tiller’s node to ligule of flag leaf from top at flowering stage. Five randomly selected competitive plants are used for taking observation.
Measured from top most node to base of the inflorescence at dough stage. Five randomly selected competitive plants are used for taking observation.
Distance between ligule of the flag leaf and base of the inflorescence on the main tiller is measured at dough stage. Five randomly selected competitive plants are used for taking observation.
Measured from lowest branch to tip of last branch of inflorescence at dough stage. Five randomly selected competitive plants are used for taking observation.
Measured in natural position at widest part of the inflorescence at dough stage. Five randomly selected competitive plants are used for taking observation.
Length of the lower primary branch of main inflorescence from axis node to tip of the primary branch is measured at maturity. Five randomly selected competitive plants are used for taking observation.
The number of nodes present on main axis of inflorescence at maturity. Five randomly selected competitive plants are used for taking observation.
The number of major branches on primary branches of inflorescence at maturity. Five randomly selected competitive plants are used for taking observation.
Shape of the inflorescence is recorded at maturity
Color of freshly harvested seeds recorded
Length of freshly harvested seed measured at about 12% moisture content. Ten randomly selected seeds are used for taking observation.
Width of freshly harvested seed measured at about 12% moisture content. Ten randomly selected seeds are used for taking observation.
Lodging of the plants is recorded at maturity.
Degree to which the plant is still green at time the primary inflorescence on each tiller is reaching maturity is recorded.
Overall agronomic desirability of the accession is observed visually at maturity.
Race
Weight of freshly harvested 100 seed measured at about 12% moisture content.
Thickness of main stem between 3rd and 4th nodes at dough stage. Five randomly selected competitive plants are used for taking observation.
List of accessions included in the dataset