Although pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] is traditionally a s
mall grain crop, a trait associated with adaption to marginal environments,
there are both agronomic and usage-related reasons for seeking to increase
individual grain mass (or size). Individual grain mass appears to have a l
ow to moderate heritability in pearl millet, suggesting that genetic improv
ement based on some form of progeny testing is likely to be effective. The
objective of this research was to quantify the percentage increase in indiv
idual grain mass that could be achieved in a modern open-pollinated millet
cultivar, ICMS 7703, by two cycles of recurrent S-1 progeny selection for i
ncreased grain mass and maintenance of grain yield potential. Evaluated acr
oss 10 test environments, two cycles of selection achieved an 18% increase
in individual grain mass (8.05-9.52 mg per grain), with no change in grain
yield per square meter. Substantial improvement in individual grain mass in
pearl millet is thus possible with targeted recurrent selection, where lar
ger seed size provides an agronomic or processing advantage, or enhances co
nsumer preference.