Transpiration efficiency variations in the pearl millet reference collection PMiGAP.
Laura Grégoire1, Jana Kholova2,3, Rakesh Srivastava2
1Diversité, Adaptation, Développement des Plantes (DIADE), University of Montpellier, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Montpellier, France.
Plos One
|July 26, 2024
Summary
Transpiration efficiency (TE) in pearl millet shows significant genotypic variability, offering a two-fold range for improving drought tolerance. Optimizing TE is crucial for enhancing grain yield in breeding programs.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Plant Physiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Transpiration efficiency (TE) is vital for crop productivity, especially under water-limited conditions.
- Increasing TE is a key strategy for enhancing crop drought tolerance.
- Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is a crucial staple crop in arid and semi-arid regions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the genotypic variability of transpiration efficiency (TE) in a large and diverse panel of pearl millet.
- To assess the relationship between TE and grain yield under varying water conditions.
- To evaluate the influence of agroecological zones and water stress on TE.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of TE in 537 pearl millet genotypes (inbred lines, test-cross hybrids, and hybrids).
- Conducting three lysimeter trials under well-watered and terminal water stress conditions (2012, 2013, 2015).
- Measuring grain yield and its correlation with TE.
Main Results:
- Observed up to a two-fold variation in TE across different pearl millet accessions.
- Mean TE was slightly higher under water stress and varied between inbred and testcross hybrids.
- TE differed among hybrids developed for different agroecological zones, with higher values in those from wetter regions.
- Significant Genotype x Environment (GxE) interactions were detected, despite high heritability of TE.
- TE was the second most important contributor to grain yield, after harvest index.
Conclusions:
- Pearl millet exhibits substantial genotypic variability for TE, presenting opportunities for breeding improved drought-tolerant varieties.
- TE is a significant trait for grain yield and should be integrated into pearl millet breeding programs.
- Future research should focus on understanding TE plasticity (GxE interactions) and its genetic basis.
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