Variability and trait‐specific accessions for grain yield and nutritional traits in germplasm of little millet ( Panicum sumatrense Roth. Ex. Roem. & Schult.)

Little millet (Panicum sumatrense Roth. Ex. Roem. & Schult.), a member of the grass family Poaceae, is native to India. It is nutritionally superior to major cereals, grows well on marginal lands, and can withstand drought and waterlogging conditions. Two-hundred diverse little millet landraces were characterized to assess variability for agronomic and nutritional traits and identify promising accessions. Highly significant variabilitywas found for all the agronomic and grain nutrient traits. Accessions of robusta were high yielding whereas those of nana were rich in grain nutrients. About 80% of the accessions showed consistent protein and zinc (Zn) contents whereas iron (Fe) and calcium (Ca) contents were less consistent (29.5 and 63.5%, respectively) over 2 yr. Promising trait-specific accessions were identified for greater seed weight (10 accessions), high grain yield (15), high biomass yield (15), and consistently high grain nutrients (30) over 2 yr (R2 = .69–.74, P ≤ .0001). A few accessions showed consistently high for two or more nutrients (IPmr 449 for Fe, Zn, Ca, and protein; IPmr 981 for Zn and protein). Five accessions (IPmr 855, 974, 877, 897, 767) were high yielding and also rich in Ca. Consumption of 100 g of little millet grains can potentially contribute to the recommended dietary allowance of up to 28% Fe, 37% Zn, and 27% protein. Multilocation evaluation of the promising accessions across different soil types, fertility levels, and climatic conditions would help to identify valuable accessions for direct release as a cultivar or use in little millet improvement

Report on characterization of land races and local varieties of finger millet and other small millets (annex 2.1 of final technical report)

The varietal diversity study undertaken as part of Revalorising Small Millets in Rainfed Regions of South Asia (RESMISA) project indicated that there are many well performing millet varieties in terms of adaptation to the local environment, cooking properties and yield. However, many of these local varieties are losing their character due to loss of purity. Purification and morphological characterisation of these local varieties are needed, in terms of human nutritional benefit from the available rich varietal diversity both in the short and long term

Report on compendium of released varieties in small millets, India (annex 2.2 of final technical report)

Finger, Foxtail, Little, Kodo, Proso, and Barnyard small millets are vital to the economy due to their suitability to local agro-ecology and socio-economic conditions. Millets are truly miracle grains as they seldom attract any biotic stress, be it disease or pest. They can grow on the most marginalized soils - without irrigation and with very little or sometimes no external inputs due to their very high resilience. This report provides distinguishing features of varietal pedigrees and recommendations for regional use