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PARTICIPATORY VARIETAL SELECTION WITH IMPROVED PEARL MILLET IN WEST AFRICA

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 January 2007

G. O. OMANYA
Affiliation:
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) Sahelian Center, B.P. 12404, Niamey, Niger
E. WELTZIEN-RATTUNDE
Affiliation:
ICRISAT, B.P. 320, Bamako, Mali
D. SOGODOGO
Affiliation:
Institut d'Economie Rurale, SRA Cinzana, B.P.214, Cinzana, Mali
M. SANOGO
Affiliation:
Institut d'Economie Rurale, SRA Cinzana, B.P.214, Cinzana, Mali
N. HANSSENS
Affiliation:
Winrock International-Mali, B.P. E 457, Bamako, Mali
Y. GUERO
Affiliation:
Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique du Niger, B.P. 429, Niamey, Niger
R. ZANGRE
Affiliation:
Institut National de l'Environment et Recherche Agricole, B.P. 037192 Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso

Abstract

A reconnaissance survey and participatory varietal selection trials (PVS) were conducted in four major pearl millet-growing countries of the Sahel between 2001 and 2003. The studies aimed to identify farmers' preferences in improved pearl millet varieties, increase awareness, test new varieties and enhance farmers' access to the improved varieties. Farmers selected five out of 10 tested varieties, with preferred characteristics, namely, maturity cycles of 80–90 d in the Sahel and 90–100 d in the Sudanian agro-ecozones, acceptable grain yield, compact and long (30–100 cm) panicles, a large number of tillers with panicles, adaptation and an acceptable taste. Farmers indicated that their local varieties were of superior adaptation and taste. They mentioned that hindrances to uptake and sustained use of improved varieties were due to lack of awareness, traditional values, seed unavailability, early maturity, bird damage and lack of fertilizer. The strong genotype × environment interactions in the Sahel suggests that breeding should be directed towards producing varieties adapted to specific zones rather than for wide adaptation. Notably, since farmers often cultivate pearl millet without any soil amendments, it may be advisable to disseminate varieties as a package (with fertilizer and agronomic instructions) rather than as varieties alone in a PVS programme, in order to achieve the full potential of improved varieties. The PVS trials are synergistic to plant breeding in identifying varieties suitable for harsh environments, which are difficult to duplicate in the research station. However, in the absence of formal distribution seed systems in the trial countries, village- or community-based seed production of varieties selected by farmers appears critical to the sustainable adoption of selected varieties.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 2006 Cambridge University Press

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