CLIMATE RESILIENT PEARL MILLET HYBRID GHB 1294 (Maru moti): ENTITLE FARMERS FOR BETTER CULTIVATION
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] is a climate-resilient nutricereal crucial for food and nutritional security in the arid and semi-arid regions of India. To address malnutrition and hidden hunger, the Pearl Millet Research Station, Junagadh Agricultural University, Jamnagar, developed GHB 1294, a high-yielding, biofortified, early-maturing single-cross hybrid (ICMA1 93333 × J-2632) utilizing an A₁ cytoplasmic male-sterility source. The development and evaluation of this nutrient-dense, climate-smart hybrid directly support global sustainability initiatives by aligning with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). GHB 1294 was evaluated across multi-location trials from 2020 to 2022 against standard national checks for yield, micronutrient (Fe and Zn) content, and biotic stress resistance. In Gujarat state trials, GHB 1294 recorded a grain yield of 2717 kg/ha and a dry fodder yield of 7306 kg/ha, out-yielding the group check GHB 538 by 20.0% and 46.8%, respectively. In national AICRP-PM A₁ zone trials, the hybrid achieved a grain yield of 2223 kg/ha, which was 24.5%, 32.0%, 24.2%, and 31.0% higher than the checks MPMH 21 (1786 kg/ha), RHB 177 (1684 kg/ha), HHB 272 (1790 kg/ha), and HHB 67 Improved (1698 kg/ha), respectively. It also exhibited a superior dry fodder yield of 5184 kg/ha, outperforming the same national checks by 18.8%, 26.6%, 20.4%, and 23.1%. Furthermore, GHB 1294 demonstrated robust resistance to major diseases (downy mildew, blast, and rust) and key insect pests (shoot fly, stem borer, and Helicoverpa), making it an ideal climate-smart variety for sustainable cultivation in the dry zones of India
Source: PLANT ARCHIVES
Language: English
Topic: Genetics and Plant Breeding
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDGs: Zero hunger, Climate action
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7204195228