Contributions

Increasing adaptability by exploiting traits from local varieties: In Mali and Burkina Faso, hybrid parents from Guinea-race sorghum hybrids were developed directly from local varieties in order to incorporate photoperiod sensitivity, but also grain quality and yield stability⁴². All new breeding populations for pearl millet in WCA were derived from local germplasm. Photoperiod sensitivity allows late planting in dry years, giving farmers greater flexibility in coping with drought.

Participatory plant breeding that incorporates farmer preferences early in the breeding program: For instance, much of the development of breeding material in early generations for sorghum in Mali and Burkina Faso and millet in WCA is done in collaboration with farmers, to ensure that improved varieties fit within the farming systems and the conditions on farmers’ fields, specifically high and low phosphorus (P) ⁴³.