Genetic Mapping of Finger Millet

Four types of molecular markers were used to obtain the genetic map of the polyploid finger millet (Eleusine coracana subsp. coracana), an important cereal crop in East Africa and Southern India. Finger millet is grown mainly by subsistence farmers and serves as a food security crop because of its high-nutritional value and excellent storage qualities. To date most varieties of finger millet are from germplasm selections as there are very few breeding activities on the crop. Hybridization between cultivated types or between wild and cultivated types may have potential in improving finger millet.

The construction of the genetic map by an international group of researchers provided the first step toward mapping traits of agronomic importance. Mathews Dida and colleagues utilized several types of molecular markers to generate the genetic map from plants derived by crossing the wild progenitor of finger millet and an elite cultivar. The researchers believe that the map will ultimately help in transferring useful traits such as blast resistance, lodging resistance, drought tolerance, and nutritional value, in finger millet breeding programs.

The complete paper published by the journal Theoretical and Applied Genetics, can be accessed by subscribers at http://www.springerlink.com/content/2700114455h04131/fulltext.html.