Characterization of Foxtail Millet, Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv., in Pakistan Based on Intraspecific Hybrid Pollen Semi-sterility

Abstract

Sixteen strains of foxtail millet, Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv., originally collected from Pakistan were crossed with three strains which had previously been used as testers for classifying six landrace groups based on hybrid pollen sterility. Wide variation was observed in pollen fertility of the F₁ hybrids, ranging from 14.2% to 94.7%, while pollen fertility of all the selfed Pakistani strains and testers was normal. Pakistani strains were classified into type C (8 strains), type BC (2) and type X (6) on the basis pollen fertility of more than 75% is normal fertility. No A, B or AC type strains were detected. Type C was found in land-races collected from Punjab Province, the southern part of the North-West Frontier Province (N. W. F. P.) and Baltistan. Type X was distributed in the northern part of N. W. F. P. and an adjacent area of the western part of Gilgit Agency, in the northeastern part of Gilgit Agency and in Baltistan. Different landrace groups were suggested among the strains of type X by the variation in hybrid sterility observed with each tester. This observation was strongly supported by an almost sterile hybrid between type X strains from N. W. F. P. and the northeastern part of Gilgit Agency. Type BC was found in Gilgit Agency and Baluchistan. Landrace groups classified by hybrid pollen fertility did not show any clear relationship with morphological groups which had a different geographical distribution. The present results imply that S. italica, with various phylogenetic backgrounds, might have been introduced into this region several times, and subsequently evolved into three distinct morphological groups.