Domestication and Improvement in the Model C4 Grass, Setaria.

Area of Science:

• Plant genetics
• Evolutionary biology
• Agricultural science

Background:

• Setaria viridis (green foxtail) and Setaria italica (foxtail millet) are C4 panicoid grasses used as model systems.
• Foxtail millet was domesticated from green foxtail in China 9,000–6,000 years ago.
• Domestication led to traits like reduced branching, less shattering, and altered flowering time.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent studies on the genetic regulation of domesticated traits in foxtail millet.
• To discuss the utility of the foxtail millet and green foxtail system for understanding domestication.
• To explore the potential of this system for future crop breeding efforts.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing scientific literature on foxtail millet domestication.
• Analysis of genetic regulation underlying key domesticated traits.
• Comparative study of wild (Setaria viridis) and domesticated (Setaria italica) species.

Main Results:

• Foxtail millet exhibits significant genetic and phenotypic differences from its wild ancestor, Setaria viridis.
• Specific domesticated traits, including reduced grain shattering and delayed flowering, are genetically regulated.
• The Setaria system provides valuable insights into the process of plant domestication.

Conclusions:

• The Setaria model system is crucial for understanding grass evolution and domestication.
• Further development of this system will enhance knowledge of foxtail millet's domestication history.
• This research provides tools and insights for future breeding programs in Setaria and other grasses.