Genome-wide identification and drought-responsive root expression profiling of the <i>VQ</i> gene family in proso millet ( <i>Panicum miliaceum</i> L.)

A total of 70 <i>VQ</i> genes (<i>PmVQ1</i>-<i>PmVQ70</i>) were identified and classified into four distinct subfamilies. Based on the screening of root-preferential and drought-responsive candidate genes, combined with phenotypic and qRT-PCR analyses of drought-tolerant and drought-sensitive materials, four key candidate genes were identified. qRT-PCR analysis revealed that the four genes exhibited differential expression patterns between drought-tolerant and drought-sensitive materials, suggesting their potential roles as core regulators in proso millet's drought response, particularly in root-specific regulatory pathways under drought stress. This study provides a systematic analysis of the <i>VQ</i> gene family in proso millet and offers valuable genetic resources for elucidating drought tolerance mechanisms and advancing molecular breeding.