Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar

Thrust Area:

Development and evaluation of early maturing, high Fe and Zn, high protein content, white grain, downy mildew resistant hybrids utilizing available and newly developed parental lines.

Application of molecular markers in genotyping of advance inbred lines and marker-assisted selection (MAS) for improvement of specific trait.

Nutrient management through use of deficient micronutrients and combinations of inorganic and organic sources among pearl millet hybrids.
Evaluation of newly released pearl millet hybrids under organic fertilization.
Contingency crop planning through selection of appropriate advance hybrids and efficient management of resources for maximization of yield in case of scanty or delayed rains.
Screening pearl millet lines, hybrids and varieties against important diseases and monitoring disease resistance stability.

Screening of germplasm for desired characters (high protein, high Fe and Zn, high antioxidant activity, low to moderate phytate, high in vitro dry matter digestibility.
Studies on shelf life of flour (screening of germplasm for rancidity indicators/ determinants, studies on oxidative enzymes & bran fraction)

1.	Development and evaluation of pearl millet hybrids with early, medium and late maturity, high Fe and Zn density, & downy mildew resistance utilizing available and newly developed parental lines of different male sterile cytoplasmic sources.
2.	Diversification of maintainers and fertility restorer lines for A₄ and A₅ cytoplasmic sources.
3.	Application of marker-assisted selection (MAS) for improvement of specific (biotic & abiotic) traits such as downy mildew and drought tolerance.
4.	To explore the feasibility of mechanized weed control through power weeder in pearl millet.
5.	Micronutrients study in pearl millet.
6.	Contingency crop planning through efficient management practices for maximizing pearl millet productivity in case of aberrant weather conditions.
7.	Monitoring disease resistance stability of released hybrids/varieties, A-, B- and R-lines of pearl millet.
8.	Screening of pearl millet germplasm for desired quality characters (high antioxidant activity, low to moderate phytate content & high in vitro dry matter digestibility).
9.	Studies on shelf life of pearl millet flour (screening of germplasm for rancidity indicators/determinants, on oxidative enzymes & on bran fraction).