Exploiting genome sequence information to develop genomic resources for foxtail millet improvement

Abstract

Foxtail millet is an excellent model crop for studying the biology of C4 photosynthesis, abiotic stress tolerance, and biofuel traits. In addition, grains of foxtail millet are rich in proteins, micro- and macro-nutrients, and other bioactive compounds. Being an old domesticated crop, foxtail millet has contributed to the development of human civilization and is still grown as a staple food, particularly in India and China. India is the largest producer of millets. However, the breeding technology used for foxtail millet is far behind that of major millets such as pearl millet and finger millet, and major cereals such as rice and wheat. Development of genomic resources is the first step toward improving the breeding strategies, which subsequently lead to the development of elite cultivars with higher yield and desirable agronomic traits. Much national and international effort has been invested in this regard to develop genetic and genomic resources and these have produced significant outcomes. In this context, the present chapter enumerates the genetic and genomic resources available for foxtail millet improvement. In particular, the chapter discusses the development of novel molecular markers, their application in genomics-assisted breeding, and the construction of integrated databases. In addition, the genes and families identified in foxtail millet which have relevance to growth, development, and stress response have also been summarized.