The complexity of kodo millet: genomic analysis and implications in crop improvement

This article explores possible future initiatives, such as the development of targeted breeding and integrated omics approach to boost kodo millet production, nutritional value, and environmental adaptation. Kodo millet is grouped under the genus Paspalum and family Gramineae. It is a tropical African crop that was initially domesticated in India approximately 3000 years ago. It is predominantly cultivated in India as well as in various south-east Asian countries. Recent years have witnessed a resurgence of interest in kodo millet breeding, particularly owing to its outstanding nutritional profile. Kodo millet's ability to adapt to different marginal environments makes it promising to be grown as a part of sustainable agriculture. Availability of a plethora of diverse genetic resources in kodo millet has been instrumental in development of various improved cultivars through conventional breeding. Additionally, functional genomics has been instrumental in decoding the complex genetic architecture of kodo millet, thus enabling identification of key genes associated with drought tolerance, disease resistance, and improved nutritional profiling. Additionally, transcriptomics has deepened the insights into gene expression pattern in response to various stresses, offering valuable information for developing resistant genotypes. The expressed sequence tags (ESTs) available will surely benefit the scientists working on molecular breeding of millets through development and use of SSRs and SNPs markers under the marker assisted selection (MAS) scheme. This article examines potential directions for future research, including the advancement of genomics and targeted breeding approaches for holistic development of the kodo millet.