Biodiversity of pearl millet Pennisetum glaucum (L) R. Br. (Poales Poaceae) in southern Algeria (Tidikelt region)

Abstract

The study aims to identify the Pennisetum glaucum (L) R. Br. (Poales Poaceae) phenotypes cultivated in Tidikelt region. We conducted field visits during the plant maturity stage, to evaluate these patterns, based on the descriptive study of the International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics. The results showed significant differences between plant height, the number of nodes and leaves, seed color, and main stem length. Whereas, we recorded only slight differences for the dimensions of the third upper leaf and panicle. It was also found that the best groups of locally cultivated millet were pearly and yellow millet, due to the morphological characteristics of their panicles, unlike wild millet (MLT.VN, MLT.VNP) and domesticated (MDT.Sepl, MDT.Sepc, and MDT.Smix) which are used as feed. On this basis, this type of cereal culture could play a leading role in promoting the cultivation of local millet groups in this region.