Recovery resistance to downy mildew in pearl millet parental lines ICMA 1 and ICMB 1

Downy mildew [Sclerospora graminicola (Sacc.) Schroet.] has been a major biotic factor affecting grain yield of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.] in India for the last 25 yr. Many downy mildew resistant cultivars have been produced and several have been cultivated widely, but the vulnerability of their resistances to the disease has been a major cause of concern. Recovery resistance, in which the pathogen completes its life cycle without affecting the normal development of the plant, has potential for providing durable resistance to the disease. A high level of recovery resistance (greater than or equal to 95%) was developed in ICMA 1 (81A, a leading male-sterile line in India) and its maintainer line ICMB 1 (81B), through pedigree selection for five generations. The recovery trait in the selected line, designated as RECRES 81A, was stable against the major pathotypes present in India. RECRES 81A is agronomically and phenotypically similar to 81A, produces equally high yielding hybrids, and is being used to produce commercial hybrids.