EMERGING TRENDS IN LITTLE MILLET BREEDING: FROM TRADITIONAL METHODS TO GENOMIC APPROACHES

Modern food and agricultural systems focus research and development on major crops while ignoring minor millets that are crucial for economic growth.Small-seeded cereal foods like little millet are an excellent way to supplement major staple foods.It is a short-duration crop that may be cultivated in drought-prone regions and has a higher nutritional content than some other major cereals.Its prevalence of pests and diseases is also lesser.Nowadays, farmers are more interested in cultivating millets because of their ability to adapt to a number of different agro-climatic zones and the need for greater research and development on these crops.This study provides detailed knowledge of the importance of, the global status of little millet germplasm, diversity, promising germplasm resources and as well as nutritional status.In addition, conventional breeding methods and genomic status expedite the development of climate-resilient and nutrient-dense varieties for sustainable agriculture, environment and healthy food systems.This review also examines breeding difficulties during research and the detailed molecular status of little millet varietal development.