Identification of Molecular Markers and Genes for Fertility Restoration in Pearl Millet Pennisetum glaucum L R Br

Abstract

The cytoplasmic male sterility/restorer-of-fertility (CMS/Rf) system plays a vital role in high-efficiency hybrid seed production in crops, including pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) An effective breeding programme for pearl millet restorers will depend on having a thorough understanding of the allelic complementation of restoration among the stable restorer lines. In order to identify linkage between restorer genes carried by various restorers of each CMS system, The F2 generations of all the three crosses at Gwalior and Morena were segregated in 15:1. From the present study, it is evident that fertility restoration of A1 and A4 cytoplasm is governed by two genes showing duplicate dominant epistasis. The present study firstly brings out the possibility of developing successful hybrid combinations in diverse cytoplasmic background other than the routinely used A1, A4 cytoplasm. Secondly it also brings out the possibility of use of these male parents in the development of male sterile lines in pearl millet. The parents and three F2s were evaluated during kharif season 2021 at RVSKVV, Gwalior and ZARS, Morena. The significance was tested using the and#61539; 2 test for both the locations. All F2 segregating populations at both locations fit well into a Mendelian ratio of 15:1, suggesting digenic duplicate dominance of genes for fertility restoration of seed setting and pollen fertility. The and#61539; 2 values for seed setting are 0.11, 2.51, 1.52, 1.33, 0.16, and 3.17 and the and#61539; 2 values for pollen newlinefertility are 1.50, 2.77, 1.26, 4.98, 0.44, and 0.02 for all three F2 segregating newlinepopulations at both locations. Most markers and QTLs (13) are found on chromosome number four in both locations. Similarly, markers and QTLs ICMP3091, PGIRD43 and IPES0174 are found chromosome number four on the both location in this cross ICMA843-22 × ICMR01004. Most markers and QTLs (12) are found on chromosome number two in both the location. Similarly, markers and QTLs cannot be found on any chromosome on the both location in this cross ICMA