Evaluation of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] for grain iron and zinc content in different agro climatic zones of India

Abstract

Micronutrient malnutrition, especially the paucity of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) is posing a big threat to the world affecting nearly 25% of worldwide population. Pearl millet is endowed with huge amount of variability for micronutrients especially for grain Fe and Zn content. Micronutrient enrichment in pearl millet is possible by identifying stable genotypes for high levels of micronutrients and utilising them in breeding programme. In this context, a set of 40 pearl millet genotypes along with one check, Dhanshakti (G30), were evaluated at three different agro climatic zones during the year 2014 for grain iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) contents using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. The genotypes contributed 58.3% and 52.8% of the total variation for grain Fe and Zn content, respectively. The magnitude of variation contributed by interaction component was also relatively high (39.7% and 32.5% for grain Fe and Zn). Both AMMI and GGE biplot analysis identified desirable genotypes; PPMI 708 (G40), PPMI 1102 (G25) and PPMI 683 (G39) for grain Fe content, whereas PPMI 708 (G40), PPMI 1116 (G24) and PPMI 683 (G39) for grain Zn content. The Pearson correlation coefficient for grain Fe and Zn content showed that both traits are highly associated (r = 0.8, p less than 0.01) and these traits did not associate significantly with grain yield. Hence, there is possibility for simultaneous improvement of both grain Fe and Zn content without compromising for grain yield.