Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-ndw9j Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-10T12:28:59.877Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Identification of geographical gaps in the pearl millet germplasm conserved at ICRISAT genebank from West and Central Africa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 July 2009

H. D. Upadhyaya*
Affiliation:
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Genetic Resources, Crop Improvement, Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh 502 324, India
K. N. Reddy
Affiliation:
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Genetic Resources, Crop Improvement, Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh 502 324, India
M. Irshad Ahmed
Affiliation:
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Genetic Resources, Crop Improvement, Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh 502 324, India
C. L. L. Gowda
Affiliation:
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Genetic Resources, Crop Improvement, Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh 502 324, India
B. I. G. Haussmann
Affiliation:
ICRISAT, BP 12404, Niamey, Niger
*
*Corresponding author. E-mail: h.upadhyaya@cgiar.org

Abstract

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) genebank in India holds the world's largest collection of 21,594 pearl millet germplasm accessions including 18,447 landraces from 50 countries. West and Central Africa (WCA) region, which is considered as the centre of diversity for pearl millet, is also an important pearl millet germplasm source for resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. A total of 7372 landraces were assembled from WCA countries. Out of which, 6434 landraces have the georeference data. The geographic origins of these landraces were analyzed using geographic information system tools to identify gaps in the collection. Geographical distribution of existing collections, type of vegetation, land cover and the high probability (>70%) for the occurrence of pearl millet estimated using the FloraMap software in different countries show that 62 districts in 13 provinces of Nigeria, 50 districts in 16 provinces of Burkina Faso, 9 districts in 6 provinces each of Mali and Mauritania, 8 districts in 8 provinces of Chad and 7 districts in 3 provinces of Ghana as the major geographical gaps in the pearl millet collection at the ICRISAT genebank. In view of this, we suggest that the final areas for exploration in these districts should be decided prior to the launch of the collection missions in consultation with local government officials and extension officers, who have the knowledge of pearl millet cultivation in the districts identified.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © NIAB 2009

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Andrews, DJ and Anand Kumar, K (1996) Use of the West African pearl millet landrace Iniadi in cultivar development. Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter 105: 1522.Google Scholar
Brunken, JN, de Wet, JMJ and Harlan, JR (1977) The morphology and domestication of pearl millet. Economic Botany 31: 163174.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Harlan, JR (1971) Agricultural origins: centers and non-centers. Science 14: 468474.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Harlan, JR, de Wet, JMJ and Stemler, ABL (1975) Plant domestication and indigenous African agriculture. In: Harlan, JR, de Wet, JMJ and Stemler, ABL (eds) Origins of African Domestication. The Hague, The Netherlands: Mouton Publishers, pp. 19.Google Scholar
Jones, PG and Gladkov, A (1999) In: Jones, Annie L and CD-ROM series, (eds) FloraMap: A Computer Tool for Predicting the Distribution of Plants and Other Organisms in the Wild. Version 1. Cali, Colombia: Centro Internacional de Agricultura, Tropical (CIAT).Google Scholar
Lane, A, Jarvis, A and Atta-Krah, K (2007) The impact of climate change on crops and crop areas and the role of agricultural biodiversity in adaptation. International Symposium on Climate Change, November 22–24, 2007, ICRISAT, Patancheru, India, SAT ejournal 4(1). Available online only at ejournal.ICRISAT.org.Google Scholar
Marilia, Lobo Burle, Torres Cordeiro, Celia Maria, Fonseca, Jaime Roberto, Palhares de Melo, M, de Belemdas Neves Alves, Rosa and Abadie, Tabare (2003) Characterization of germplasm according to environmental conditions at the collecting site using GIS – two case studies from Brazil. Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter 135: 111.Google Scholar
MS Encarta® Interactive World Atlas 2000 1995–1999 Microsoft Corporation. One Microsoft way, Redmond, WA, USA.Google Scholar
Upadhyaya, HD and Gowda, CLL (in press) Managing and enhancing the use of germplasm – strategies and methodologies. Technical Manual no. 10. Patancheru, India: International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics.Google Scholar
Upadhyaya, HD, Reddy, KN and Gowda, CLL (2007) Pearl millet germplasm at ICRISAT genebank – status and impact. The Journal of Semi-Arid Tropical Agricultural Research (SAT eJournal) 3(1): 15.Google Scholar
USGS EROS Center (2005) Africa land cover characteristics database.Google Scholar