EVALUATION OF PEARL MILLET (Pennisetum glaucum [L.]) GENOTYPES FOR IMPROVED YIELD, EARLINESS AND TOLERANCE TO DROUGHT IN THE GUINEA SAVANNA AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONE OF GHANA

Abstract

Global food insecurity predominately affects numerous individuals residing in tropical regions that are either arid or semi-arid. Drought stress is a prime abiotic threat to millet productivity which results in yield loss of about 40 % - 70 %. Ten (10) genotypes of pearl millet comprising five improved varieties (Akad-kom, Afribeh-Naara, Kaanati, 100 Gy, 200 Gy) and five landraces (Tamplimza, Zanyan, Kalaa, Wahab and Naara) were assessed for enhanced agronomic traits. The objective of this study was to identify the traits for high yield, earliness in maturity and drought tolerance. Two field experiments with different planting dates were involved using the same genotypes. The experiments were carried out during the 2023 cropping season from July to December at the Crop Science Department experimental farm of the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Nyankpala in the Guinea savannah agroecology of Ghana. The single–factor experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications in both studies. Parameters related to growth and yield were measured and statistically analyzed using Genstat (18th edition). Results indicated that under suitable conditions, the genotypes Akad kom, Afribeh–Naara, Kaanati and Naara exhibited the best performance with respect to percentage establishment, days to 50 % flowering, biomass accumulation and grain yield. These genotypes also had early maturing traits. The genotype Akad-kom demonstrated a superior quality among the ten genotypes because it can as well be considered a good source of high-yielding ability. Genotype 200 Gy can be considered high-yielding under suitable environments. Genotypes with high biomass accumulation and grain yield under water – stress included Akad-kom, Naara and Kalaa. They were considered drought-tolerant. Developing desirable traits using these genotypes as the parental lines in plant breeding of pearl millet is recommended for farmers within the Guinea Savanna agro-ecology.