Genetic and genomic resources for improving proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.): a potential crop for food and nutritional security

Abstract

Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) is a food crop domesticated around 10,000 years ago, that has been prevalent throughout ancient civilization. However, use of millets in the diets has drastically been reduced owing to the addition of cereals such as rice and wheat. At present, proso millet is being cultivated and consumed by a marginal population. Irrespective of the lack of popularity, the crop is well known for its climate resilience traits as well as nutritional properties. Noteworthy, the crop is low on glycemic index, gluten-free, possesses good quality protein, vitamins, minerals, and other nutraceutical properties. Being a C4 panicoid species, proso millet possesses better water-use and nitrogen-use efficiency, thus promising this as an ideal crop for cultivation in the scenario of global climate change. The extent of food insecurity among the ever-growing population, as well as the prevalence of malnutrition and undernutrition among the children, reinstate the requirement of a nutritious diet that millets and other traditionally important crops can address. Given this, the present review enumerates the progress made in genetics, genomics, and other omics of proso millet that would pave way for improvement using biotechnological as well as breeding interventions. Further, this review elaborates a roadmap for improving this crop in the mainstream cropping system.