Chapter 6 - Molecular studies on millets and pseudocereals

Abstract

Millets and pseudocereals are climate resilient (in terms of less water requirement, tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, adaptability to low input conditions) and also known as nutri-cereals crops because of nutritional superiority (rich in essential amino acids, minerals, vitamins, bioactive compounds, dietary fibre, resistant starch, etc.) over other major cereals. Among millets and pseudocereals sorghum, pearl millet, foxtail millet, finger millet, proso millet, amaranth, buckwheat and quinoa are extensively studied in terms of molecular characterization and generation of genomic resources. But in other millets like kodo millet, little millet, barnyard millet, browntop millet, fonio [Digitaria exilis (Kipp.) Stapf; (D. iburua Stapf)], etc., molecular studies are meagre and needs to be expedited at a large scale using next-generation sequencing approaches to generate genomic resources in terms of whole genome sequence, makers, genes/QTLs, alleles, etc. The present chapter is a comprehensive view of the molecular studies carried out till date in millets and pseudocereals. It also delivers information to the research community regarding progress made and future studies to be undertaken for enhanced utilization of existing genetic and genomic resources in these crops for future food and nutritional security.