DIVERSITY AND DOMESTICATION OF MINOR MILLET SPECIES IN INDIAN SUB-CONTINENT

Abstract

The Indian sub-continent and Afriam continent are the most important
centres of millet cultivation. The Indian sub-continent has several
endemically domesticated millet species such as little millet (Panicum
sumatrense). Indian barnyard millet (Echinochloa frumentacea Link),
kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum L.) and foxtail millet (Setaria
glauca L. Beauv )and others. The millet species originated in Africa and
those domesticated in Eurasia are also cultivated as important, millet
crops in this region. These include Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.
(sorghum), Eleusine coracana Garetn. (finger millet), Pennisetum
typhoides (pearl millet), Setaria italica (L) Beauv.