22 Jul Hybrid Seed Production in Pearl millet
बाजरेे का संकर बीज उत्पादन Pearl millet is a highly cross-pollinated crop due to its protogyny condition of flower. In this condition stigma of the flower emerges first and mature before pollen shedding this condition of flower promote cross pollination. This nature of flowering facilitates the breeding of hybrids and open-pollinated varieties (OPVs). For hybrid seed production two methods are used first parental line growing in crossing block and harvest seed. The resultant seed contained approximately 40% hybrid seed when the two parental lines had synchronous flowering. This is called chance hybrid. In second method cytoplasmic-nuclear male-sterility lines like male-sterile lines Tift 23A and Tift 18A are used. These lines shows short stature, profuse tillering, uniform flowering and good combining ability are used in current breeding programme of pearl millet. In hybrid seed production chain, nucleus seed, breeder seed, foundation seed and certified seed are produce. Certified seed is the progeny of foundation seed and must meet the standards of seed certification prescribed in the Indian Minimum Seeds Certification Standards, 1988. Certified seed production is organized through State Seeds Corporations, Departmental Agricultural Farms, and Cooperatives etc. The efforts of the State Governments are also supplemented by NSC which produces seed of varieties of national importance. The production of certified seed by NSC and State Seed Corporations is...