Diversity and domestication of minor millet species in Indian sub-continent

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. (foxtail millet). Panicum miliaceum L. (proso millet) and Coix lacryma-jobi L. (Job's tear) respectively. Minormt1let species are grown from extreme southern tip of India at sea level to the temperate north Himalayan areasuptoanaltitude of ca 3000 meters with consequent variation in photoperiod from shart to long days. Out of total area of 126.67 m ha underfood grain, the minor millet area in India is just 5.78 m ha. In production, their contribution was 3.85 m tons of total 146.22 m tons of food grains in the country. Japanesebarnyardmillet, proso and foxtail millethaveall been important in the past, and are still important particularly in Asia. Finger millet is an old tropical millet still widely groom in eastern Africa and south Asia. Kodo and little millets continue to be important in Asia in time of famine or difficulty. This paper reviews the account of domestication and diversity of different minor-millet species in Indian sub-continent.