TITLE:
Biodiversity of Pearl Millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] in Southern Algeria (Hoggar Region)
AUTHORS:
Mohamed Lemgharbi, Badreddine Belhadi, Rachid Souilah, Ladjel Terbag, Djafaar Djabali, Boubekeur Nadjemi
KEYWORDS:
Biodiversity, Hoggar, Morphology, Panicle, Pearl Millet
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.7 No.12,
August
29,
2016
ABSTRACT: Despite the areas restriction reserved for pearl millet cultivation in Hoggar region, there is an important diversity, which has occupied an
essential place in the inhabitants’ diet. For a better
knowledge of its biodiversity, seven sites were prospected during the plant
maturation period. The morphological and cytological study was undertaken on
the basis of the descriptors parameters of the International Crops Research
Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). The most widely varied variables
were the Height of the Plant (HP), Stem Diameter (ST), Panicle size; Length
(PL), Width (PW) and Color (PC). While very low variation was noted in 3rd leave dimensions; Leaf Length (LL), Leaf Width (LW), Number of Nodes (NN) and
Seed Form (SF). Therefore, local millet (MLH.epc, MLH.Z1) and some domesticated
(MDH. Saf, MDH.S) appeared as the best groups, based on their panicle
characters and seed nutritional quality. Agro-morphological changes detected in this study, show that the majority of millet domesticated
(MDH. Saf. P, MDH. Sepl) are generally, classified in second place and used as
fodder in the Hoggar region.