
Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) is an important cereal crop in the arid and semi-arid regions of India and sub-Saharan Africa and is grown annually on about 30 mha for food, feed and fodder. Amongst cereal crops, pearl millet has the highest water use efficiency under water limiting environments; has the highest levels of tolerance to high temperatures during reproductive phase; and has very high salinity tolerance. Recently pearl millet is expanding its cultivation exclusively for forage purpose in marginal ecologies, but farmers have limited cultivar options.