Variability for grain iron and zinc contents in pearl millet hybrids

Abstract

Dietary deficiency of mineral micronutrients such as iron
\n(Fe) and zinc (Zn) has been recognized as a worldwide
\nhuman health problem, especially in the developing
\ncountries (Welch and Graham 2004). The pearl millet
\n(Pennisetum glaucum) research program at the International
\nCrops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics
\n(ICRISAT) has undertaken to address this issue through
\nthe development of improved breeding materials with the
\nelevated levels of these micronutrients for eventual use in
\ncultivar development. Pearl millet, grown on 26 million
\nha in some of the most marginal arid and semi-arid
\ntropical environments of Asia (11 million ha) and Africa
\n(15 million ha), is a major source of dietary energy and
\nnutritional security for a vast population in these regions.