Phenotypic and Biochemical Characterization of Selected Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) Seed Accessions from Plateau State, Nigeria

• A.A. Lawal

  Department of Agricultural Technology, Federal College of Forestry, Jos, Nigeria.

  Author

• B.M. Godwin

  Department of Crop Production, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria.

  Author

• M.A. Audu

  Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, PMB 5052, Ibadan 200272, Nigeria

  Author

• R.A. Alawode

  Department of Biotechnology, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, PMB 5052, Ibadan 200272, Nigeria

  Author

• O.R. Alagbada

  Federal College of Forest Resources Management, Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

  Author

• S.M. Obidola

  Department of Crop Production, Federal College of Forestry, Jos, Nigeria

  Author

• U.I. Henry

  Department of Crop Production, Federal College of Forestry, Jos, Nigeria

  Author

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) remains an under-characterized crop in Plateau State, Nigeria, despite its nutritional and adaptive significance. This study evaluated the morphometric, proximate, and phytochemical properties of three landraces (Zhi, Imar, and Ghi) collected from major production areas. Morphometric traits, including grain dimensions, geometric and arithmetic diameters, surface area, bulk and true densities, porosity, and 1,000-grain weight, were measured using standard grain characterization procedures. Proximate components (moisture, ash, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, and carbohydrate) were analyzed following AOAC (1990) methods, while phytochemical constituents were qualitatively screened using protocols by Harborne (1973) and Sofowora (1993). The landraces showed marked variability; Imar produced the longest grains (3.36 ± 0.02 mm) and highest geometric mean diameter; Zhi exhibited the greatest bulk density (830 ± 20 kg/m3) and highest 1,000-grain weight (9.71 ± 0.25 g); Ghi recorded the largest grain volume and highest protein content (10.00 ± 0.20%). Carbohydrate content ranged from 58.4% to 61.3%, with Ghi having the highest value, whereas moisture content (10.3–10.6%) was highest in Imar. Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of carbohydrates, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, steroids, and alkaloids across all accessions. The findings reveal considerable nutritional and functional diversity among Plateau State pearl millet landraces, providing essential baseline data for breeding, conservation, and value-added product development..

1. A.A. Lawal, Department of Agricultural Technology, Federal College of Forestry, Jos, Nigeria.

   Department of Crop Production, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria.

2. B.M. Godwin, Department of Crop Production, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria.

   Department of Crop Production, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria.

3. M.A. Audu, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, PMB 5052, Ibadan 200272, Nigeria

   Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, PMB 5052, Ibadan 200272, Nigeria

4. R.A. Alawode, Department of Biotechnology, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, PMB 5052, Ibadan 200272, Nigeria

   Department of Biotechnology, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, PMB 5052, Ibadan 200272, Nigeria

5. O.R. Alagbada, Federal College of Forest Resources Management, Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

   Federal College of Forest Resources Management, Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

6. S.M. Obidola, Department of Crop Production, Federal College of Forestry, Jos, Nigeria

   Department of Crop Production, Federal College of Forestry, Jos, Nigeria

7. U.I. Henry, Department of Crop Production, Federal College of Forestry, Jos, Nigeria

   Department of Crop Production, Federal College of Forestry, Jos, Nigeria

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