Biotechnological Improvement of Nutri-Cereal Finger Millet: Current Status and Future Prospects

Climate change and widespread micronutrient deficiencies threaten food security in the semi-arid tropics. Finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.) is a climate-resilient “nutri-cereal” rich in calcium, zinc, iron and dietary fiber. Finger millet is a promising crop for addressing climate stress and nutrient deficiencies. However, it remains under-explored and relatively neglected in breeding and genetic improvement programs compared to major cereals. This review synthesizes recent biotechnological advances and outlines future directions for finger millet improvement. Foundational resources now include a chromosome-scale reference genome, expanding transcriptome, diverse global germplasm panels, and growing reports of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and quantitative trait loci (QTL) for key traits including yield, stress tolerance, blast resistance, and mineral contents. Tissue culture studies reported both somatic embryogenesis and direct regeneration. Stable genetic transformation has been achieved in finger millet via Agrobacterium-mediated methods, particularly using shoot apical meristem (SAM) and by biolistics (gene gun) methods. Genome editing has not yet been reported, but we propose a practical roadmap leveraging reported tissue culture genetic transformation protocols for applying the CRISPR/Cas system for trait improvements. Using new biotechnological methods, along with pangenome, speed breeding, and helpful microbiomes, will make finger millet a strong and reliable food source for the future.