Pearl millet characterization and evaluation
The National Gene Bank of Mali/Genetic Resources Bank/Institute of Rural Economy, in collaboration with the Bioversity International Alliance & CIAT , within the framework of the CGIAR Gene Bank Accelerator, conducted characterization and evaluation activities on pearl millet accessions adapted to climatic variability (rainfall between 20mm and 300mm). In total, 142 pearl millet accessions were evaluated for their adaptation to climatic variability and to late blight , a very dangerous insect that threatens millet production in Mali and the West African sub-region.
Number of days from field emergence to when 50% of plants flower. Stigma emergenve on the main spike is considered as flowering
Number of plants per plot that have emerged and survived after planting
60 days after sowing
At head emergence
At head emergence, RHS colour d=codes are given in parentheses beside the descriptor states
Node pigmentation
At dough stage, See fig 1
See fig.6
Before anther dehiscence. RHS colour codes are given on parentheses beside the descriptor states
Degree to which the plant is still green at time the primary inflorescence on each tiller is reaching matutity is recorded.
At dough stage
Plant height (cm) at 50% flowering
Total number of culms, including the main stem. At dough stage
Between the 3rd and 4th node from the top. At dough stage
Maximum diameter of the spike, excluding bristles. At dough stage
From node to base of the ligule of the leaf on the 4th node below the head of the main stem. At head emergence
From ligule tp the tip of the leaf on the 4th node below the head on the main tiller. At the head emergence
At the widest point of the leaf on the 4th node of the main tiller. At head emergence
Obsereved on the primary tiller. Recorded as the distance between the ligule of the flag leaf and the base of the spike. At dough stage
After threshing. RHS colour codes are given in parentheses beside the descriptor states
At 12% moisture content
Seed weight
Biological yield
Consider tillering, height, leafliness, bulk and senscence. At maturity