Domestication, cultivation and utilization of two small millets, brachiaria ramosa and Setaria glauca (Poaceae), in South India

Abstract

Brachiaria ramosa is cultivated in pure stands. Its grains are used in preparing at least nine traditional foods in South India. Setaria glauca is cultivated in mixed stands along with little millet (Panicum sumatrense). In Orissa state and in Southern India the grains are used to make at least six traditional foods as a supplementary ingredient. The weedy forms of these were found growing with upland rice and some millets in diverse agro-ecological niches, and are identified by various vernacular names by local farmers. Explorations were conducted to gather information on the evolutionary trends, domestication and ethnobotany of these minor food crops. These findings substantiate the belief that domestication process may have passed through three distinct phases: (i) an associated mimic weed with upland rice and some millets; (ii) a secondary crop mixed with little millet or kodo millet; and (iii) as an independent crop. Also, this process has been promoted as a means of imparting adaptation to an arid climate and in turn related to the diversification of the agriculture basic complex.