Potential of wild species for genetic enhancement of some semi-arid food crops

Rao, N.K. and Reddy, L.J. and Bramel, P.J. (2003) Potential of wild species for genetic enhancement of some semi-arid food crops. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, 50 (7). pp. 707-721.

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Abstract

Discovery and incorporation of genes from wild species provide means to sustain crop improvement, particularly when levels of resistance in the cultigens are low and virulent strains of pests and pathogens overcome the host plant resistance. The extent of utilization and the potential of the wild genepool for genetic enhancement were reviewed in five important food crops viz. sorghum, pearl millet, chickpea, pigeonpea and groundnut grown in the semi-arid tropics. Introgression from compatible wild germplasm in the primary gene pool resulted in transfer of new cytoplasmic male sterility systems in pearl millet and pigeonpea, development of high protein, cleistogamous flower and dwarf pigeonpea lines and foliar disease resistant groundnut cultivars. Utilization of wild species in secondary and tertiary gene pools has been generally limited due to sterility, restricted recombination or cross incompatibility. Nevertheless, these species are extremely important as they contain high levels of resistance to several important biotic and abiotic stresses. Several of them, like those belonging to the Parasorghum section and the rhizomatous Arachis species are sources of multiple resistances and hold great promise to sustain crop productivity

Item Type: Article
Author Affiliation: International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru 502 324, Andhra Pradesh, India
Subjects: Crop Improvement > Genetics/Genomics
Crop Improvement > Plant Breeding
Divisions: Other Crops
Depositing User: Mr B Krishnamurthy
Date Deposited: 26 Jul 2011 08:38
Last Modified: 26 Jul 2011 08:38
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1025055018954
URI: http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/id/eprint/2483

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