Effects of Selection for Drought Tolerance on Pearl Millet Seed Physical and Chemical Composition.

Effects of selection for drought tolerance on pearl millet seed physical and chemical composition.

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L) R. Br.) is a staple cereal crop in arid and semi-arid regions of Africa.  It is adapted to dry and nutrient- poor soils, and is rich in essential nutrients for food and feed.  Due to the recurrent and severe drought experienced in these regions in recent decades, the need for drought tolerant pearl millet cultivars becomes greater than before.  However, selection for improved drought tolerance may result in unintended changes in other important crop attributes such as the nutritional profile.  This study aims to investigate the nutritional composition of 20 pearl millet cultivars with varying degrees of drought tolerance grown under water stressed and non-stressed conditions.  Seed physical and chemical parameters will be measured as well as vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.  Relationships of these parameters with drought tolerance investigated.  The results of this study will provide breeders and managers insight about the effects of selection for drought tolerance on pearl millet nutritional characteristics.