GPUP 28 : A New High Yielding Proso Millet Variety (Panicum miliaceum L.) for Southern and Eastern Dry Zones of Karnataka.

New Proso millet variety GPUP 28 was developed at Project Coordinating unit, ICAR-AICRP on Small Millets, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bengaluru for cultivation in Zone 5 and 6 of Karnataka. It has been evolved through hybridization between two released varieties GPUP 8 and K1. This variety has desirable characteristics of both the parents. This new variety matures in 80-85 days. It has intermediate compact with globose-elliptic shaped inflorescence. Grain is oval shaped with golden yellow colour possesses higher test weight. This variety is moderately resistant to leaf blight and resistant to brown spot diseases. GPUP 28 contains more grain calcium (127.7 ppm) content compared to the check GPUP 21. This variety has iron content of 28.8 ppm, 11.6 per cent protein, and 24.2 ppm of Zinc. Fodder contains high crude fiber (39.91 %) and crude fat (0.62 %) content. New variety GPUP 28 recorded an average grain yield of 29.43 q/ha in station trials, 27.8 q/ha in multilocation trials and 12.76 q/ha in farm trials with mean grain yield of 23.33 q/ha. Across all the trials GPUP 28 registered an average yield of 23.33 q/ha with 20.84 per cent increased yield over check variety GPUP 21. In All India Co-ordinated trials, GPUP 28 yielded 1643 kg/ha across the locations. GPUP 28 ranked 2^nd and recorded 13.38 per cent increased seed yield over the check GPUP 21 in AICRP trials. This new variety is recommended for release in annual plant scientists group meeting held at UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru on 1-3^rd March 2021, Annual ZREP workshop of Zone-6 held on 5^th April 2021, Annual ZREP workshop of Zone-5 held on 8th April 2021 and State varietal evaluation committee (SVEC) meeting held on 13^th to 16^th December 2021. NBPGR, New Delhi has issued national identity number IC 635735 for this variety. Because of its superior performance in Zone 5 and 6 of Karnataka this variety has been recommended for cultivation in Southern (Zone 6) and Eastern (Zone 5) Dry Zones of Karnataka state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]