Research Projects

Protein malnutrition continues to be a critical global health challenge, especially in low- and middle-income countries. As per the Global Hunger Index (2023) report, over 735 million people are chronically undernourished, with protein deficiency contributing significantly to stunting, impaired immunity, and developmental delay in children. In India, nearly 30% of children under five years of age are malnourished (NFHS-V, 2021), and up to 90% of adults consume less protein than recommended. Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.), a climate-resilient cereal, is a nutritional powerhouse, naturally rich in iron, zinc, and dietary fiber. It is a staple food for over 90 million people in Africa and Asia (Satyavathi et al. 2021). However, grain protein content in commonly grown pearl millet cultivars typically ranges between 8-12%. Enhancing the protein content through introduction of novel variability from crop wild relatives offers a sustainable approach to address protein malnutrition, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions where it is a major food crop. Evaluation of wild germplasm of pearl millet at the ICRISAT Genebank identified Pennisetum violaceum (Lam.) (primary gene pool) accessions with up to 19% of protein. To have stable and homozygous lines, two high-protein accessions (IP 21628 & IP 21656) of P. violaceum were selected and selfed over four generations following single-seed descent (SSD) method, resulting in 40 inbred lines. The primary objective of this proposal is to identify allelic variants associated with high grain protein content. To achieve this, we will analyse the grain protein content of these 40 inbred lines using Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS) for rapid screening and Dumas combustion method for validation. Accordingly, two high- and two low-protein lines will be selected, along with a widely used inbred line of cultivated pearl millet hybrid with low to moderate protein content, to serve as a reference. Whole-genome sequencing of these lines will be carried out using the Illumina platform. Sequenced data will be aligned to the pearl millet reference genome and high-confidence SNPs and InDels will be identified. Candidate genes will be prioritized based on their association with protein biosynthesis, nitrogen metabolism, and storage protein pathways. Gene-based markers will then be developed and validated across a diverse panel of pearl millet genotypes. The validated markers will serve as powerful tools for marker-assisted selection (MAS), enabling efficient introgression of high-protein traits from wild relatives into cultivated backgrounds, thereby accelerating the protein enhancement in pearl millet. Outcomes of this research will directly contribute to nutritional security, particularly in regions most vulnerable to protein malnutrition, while leveraging underutilized wild genetic resources for crop improvement.