This research aimed for an ecological evaluation of African millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) genotypes. It also sought to identify the high-yielding genotypes with a complex of agronomic traits resistant to harsh salinity stress conditions. For salt tolerance index (10%–20%) and in comparison to millet standard genotype (Hashaki-1), the cultivars WRai POP, IP13150, GB 8735, Sudan POP III, IP19586, JBV 3, HHVBC Tall, Sudan POP I, IP 22269, JBV 2, Rai 171, EMSHBC, and ICMS 7704 appeared as highly resistant to salinization and exceeded the standard genotype. These cultivars exhibited the highest germination percentage, survival, and conservation rate, and set apart by highest green mass yield, surpassing the standard cultivar (Hashaki-1) by 0.1–8.4 t/ha. Correlation analysis revealed with 2.0% chloride salinity conditions, the germination intensity, the 14-day-old seedling weight, and the seminal root length positively associated with the grain weight per panicle and green mass yield. The recommendation of these traits as selection criteria is suitable for use in practical selection to evaluate an extensive set of African millet breeding material.

Keywords: African millet (P. glaucum L.), source material, cultivars testing, selection, salt-tolerance, drought-resistance, germination intensity, green mass yield

Key findings: Water shortage, salinization, and soil degradation necessitate a reduction in other crops and their replacement with crops that consume less water in Kyzylorda region, Kazakhstan. Ecological cultivars’ testing of African millet (P. glaucum L.) made it possible to identify the most high-yielding and adaptive cultivars to saline soils, which are now in progressive introduction in the Kyzylorda Region, Kazakhstan.