Exploring Millet Genetic Diversity for Improved Crop Resilience: A Review

Abstract

This review comprehensively explores the genetic diversity of millets in India and its pivotal role in enhancing crop resilience, adapting to climate change, and contributing to nutritional security. Millets, with their remarkable adaptability to diverse agro-ecological conditions, are integral to India's agricultural landscape. The review starts by providing an overview of the various types of millets cultivated in India, including pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), finger millet (Eleusine coracana), and foxtail millet (Setaria italica), highlighting their nutritional and environmental benefits and their historical and cultural significance. The core of the review delves into the genetic structure and variability among millet species, examining both intra-species and inter-species diversity. It emphasizes the importance of conserving this genetic diversity, which is currently threatened by factors such as genetic erosion and limited access to genetic resources. The review discusses the advances in millet breeding techniques, from conventional approaches to biotechnological interventions, and underscores the importance of integrating traditional agricultural knowledge with modern science. A series of case studies from India illustrates the successful examples of millet genetic improvement, the lessons learned from past breeding programs, and the tangible impacts of improved millet varieties on farming communities. These case studies highlight the development of drought-resistant, pest-resistant, and nutritionally enhanced millet varieties, demonstrating the benefits of genetic diversity in practical terms. Looking forward, the review identifies emerging trends in millet research in India, including the increasing focus on genomics and bioinformatics, climate-smart agriculture, and the enhancement of the nutritional qualities of millets. It also addresses the policy and funding considerations vital for advancing millet research, emphasizing the need for supportive policies that promote the cultivation and consumption of millets and the importance of funding for research focused on genetic improvement and climate resilience.