Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) is a basic cereal for many populations living in the arid and semi-arid zones of Africa and India. In Burkina Faso, pearl millet is one of the main cereal crops in the population. However, most of the cultivated varieties are traditional landraces which productivity is always very low. This study goal is to assess and characterize available germplasm of pearl millet of Burkina Faso, India and Togo and to provide the diversity genetic and to identify the traits of interest that could be improved. Estimation of genetic diversity and identification of superior genotypes are essential of any crop improvement program. The trial was carry out during the wet season, 2020-2021 between July and November according to a Fisher block design with three (3) replications. Fourteen (14) quantitative traits were considered. The variability was particularly related, plant height, number of days
50% flowering, time to maturity, panicle length, number of basal tillers, hundred grain weight and overall qualitative trait aspect. An organization of the diversity allowed to classify the accessions into 3 distinct groups. Group 1 individuals had a late cycle, a high plant height, a large number of productive basal tillers and a low 100-grains weight. Accessions of group 2 had a short cycle, high hundred kernel weight and medium plant height. Accessions of group 3 corresponded to accessions with a medium cycle and short plant height. Strong positive correlations were observed between panicle length and plant height, plant height and number of days 50% flowering. The time to 50% flowering, onset to flowering, time to vegetative period, plant height, panicle length and 100-grains weight were less influenced by the environment. Indeed, they showed a heritability in the broad sense greater than to 70%. The variability
highlighted in this study could be used to feed the genetic improvement programs of pearl millet in Burkina
Faso through the creation of improved varieties.

Pennisetum glaucum phenotyping pre-breeding Burkina Faso