The details of genomic SSR markers associated with leaf blast resistance and agronomic traits using GLM and MLM methods in 128 genotypes of finger millet.

<p>The details of genomic SSR markers associated with leaf blast resistance and agronomic traits using GLM and MLM methods in 128 genotypes of finger millet.</p

Screen shot image of comparative genomics analysis with QTL UGEP101 in genome of maize.

<p>UGEP101 is associated with candidate gene 1, 4-Beta-Glucanase at 21.822 kb distances in maize chromosome 3; this gene is responsible for fungal resistance trait.</p

Screen shot image of comparative genomics analysis with QTL UGEP65 in genome of rice.

<p>UGEP65 is associated with candidate gene CKX at 29.412 kb distance in rice chromosome 1; this gene is responsible for tiller growth and seed yield trait.</p

The details of the putative candidate genes identified on other grass species genomes, proximal to the orthologous regions for the finger millet QTLs by <i>in silico</i> comparative genomics analysis.

<p>The function of each gene is also indicated.</p

Spectrum of phenotype variation and leaf blast response among 128 genotypes of finger millet.

<p>Spectrum of phenotype variation and leaf blast response among 128 genotypes of finger millet.</p

Table_2_Finger Millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.] Improvement: Current Status and Future Interventions of Whole Genome Sequence.DOCX

<p>The whole genome sequence (WGS) of the much awaited, nutrient rich and climate resilient crop, finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.) has been released recently. While possessing superior mineral nutrients and excellent shelf life as compared to other major cereals, multiploidy nature of the genome and relatively small plantation acreage in less developed countries hampered the genome sequencing of finger millet, disposing it as one of the lastly sequenced genomes in cereals. The genomic information available for this crop is very little when compared to other major cereals like rice, maize and barley. As a result, only a limited number of genetic and genomic studies has been undertaken for the improvement of this crop. Finger millet is known especially for its superior calcium content, but the high-throughput studies are yet to be performed to understand the mechanisms behind calcium transport and grain filling. The WGS of finger millet is expected to help to understand this and other important molecular mechanisms in finger millet, which may be harnessed for the nutrient fortification of other cereals. In this review, we discuss various efforts made so far on the improvement of finger millet including genetic improvement, transcriptome analysis, mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for traits, etc. We also discuss the pitfalls of modern genetic studies and provide insights for accelerating the finger millet improvement with the interventions of WGS in near future. Advanced genetic and genomic studies aided by WGS may help to improve the finger millet, which will be helpful to strengthen the nutritional security in addition to food security in the developing countries of Asia and Africa.</p

Forward stepwise multiple regression analysis between leaf blast incidence and agronomic traits.

<p>Forward stepwise multiple regression analysis between leaf blast incidence and agronomic traits.</p

Table_3_Finger Millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.] Improvement: Current Status and Future Interventions of Whole Genome Sequence.DOCX

<p>The whole genome sequence (WGS) of the much awaited, nutrient rich and climate resilient crop, finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.) has been released recently. While possessing superior mineral nutrients and excellent shelf life as compared to other major cereals, multiploidy nature of the genome and relatively small plantation acreage in less developed countries hampered the genome sequencing of finger millet, disposing it as one of the lastly sequenced genomes in cereals. The genomic information available for this crop is very little when compared to other major cereals like rice, maize and barley. As a result, only a limited number of genetic and genomic studies has been undertaken for the improvement of this crop. Finger millet is known especially for its superior calcium content, but the high-throughput studies are yet to be performed to understand the mechanisms behind calcium transport and grain filling. The WGS of finger millet is expected to help to understand this and other important molecular mechanisms in finger millet, which may be harnessed for the nutrient fortification of other cereals. In this review, we discuss various efforts made so far on the improvement of finger millet including genetic improvement, transcriptome analysis, mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for traits, etc. We also discuss the pitfalls of modern genetic studies and provide insights for accelerating the finger millet improvement with the interventions of WGS in near future. Advanced genetic and genomic studies aided by WGS may help to improve the finger millet, which will be helpful to strengthen the nutritional security in addition to food security in the developing countries of Asia and Africa.</p

Cumulative ranks for all the traits for 128 genotypes of finger millet.

<p>The data were collected after 45 and 90 days of sowing the seeds for leaf blast and agronomic traits respectively. Superior and inferior genotypes are represented by green bars and red bars respectively.</p

Empirical classification of top 25 ranking finger millet genotypes based on cumulative rank sum of agronomic traits and disease incidence percent; R+GAT, R+PAT, S+GAT and S+PAT.

<p>The remaining 103 genotypes belonged to the last category S+PAT.</p