Short description:

This book on minor millets provides a detailed account of their crop biology, agronomy, genetics, breeding, genomic resources, production constraints and value addition. The potential of minor millets in addressing food and nutritional insecurities is well-recognized. Government of India declared millets as “Shree Anna” as they are a powerhouse of nutrients and possess strong climate-resilience properties. Minor millet species, such as finger millet, foxtail millet, barnyard millet, little millet, proso millet, kodo millet, fonio millet, and teff, are the oldest-cultivated crops that are used for both food and fodder in semi-arid regions of Asia and Africa. In the recent times, they have become important due to their unparalleled nutritional profile, recognized nutraceutical properties, versatile environmental adaptability, and ability to flourish in low input agriculture and organic cultivation. However, their cultivation and consumption are declining due to lack of awareness and unavailability of literature to a broad range of audience.

This book serves as reference material for researchers and students engaged in genetic improvement, biochemistry, processing, and value addition of minor millets. 

Long description:

This book on minor millets provides a detailed account of their crop biology, agronomy, genetics, breeding, genomic resources, production constraints and value addition. The potential of minor millets in addressing food and nutritional insecurities is well-recognized. Government of India declared millets as “Shree Anna” as they are a powerhouse of nutrients and possess strong climate-resilience properties. Minor millet species, such as finger millet, foxtail millet, barnyard millet, little millet, proso millet, kodo millet, fonio millet, and teff, are the oldest-cultivated crops that are used for both food and fodder in semi-arid regions of Asia and Africa. In the recent times, they have become important due to their unparalleled nutritional profile, recognized nutraceutical properties, versatile environmental adaptability, and ability to flourish in low input agriculture and organic cultivation. However, their cultivation and consumption are declining due to lack of awareness and unavailability of literature to a broad range of audience.

This book serves as reference material for researchers and students engaged in genetic improvement, biochemistry, processing, and value addition of minor millets. 

Table of Contents:

Chapter 1. History, Origin, Botany, and Taxonomy of Minor Millets.- Chapter 2. Nutritional Composition and Nutraceutical Properties of Minor Millets.- Chapter 3. Agronomic and Cultivation Practices in Minor Millets.- Chapter 4. Genetic Resources of Small Millets: Collection, Characterization and Utilization.- Chapter 5. Advances in Hybridization Techniques in Small Millets. Chapter 6. Diseases and their Management Strategies in Small Millets.- Chapter 7. Insect Pests of Millet Crops and Their Integrated Management.- Chapter 8. Breeding Advances in Minor Millets: Achievements and Limitations.- Chapter 9. Principles of Quality Seed Production in Millets.- Chapter 10. Genomic Resources and Modern Breeding Approaches to Accelerate Genetic Gain in Minor Millets.- Chapter 11. Genome Sequencing Efforts in Minor Millets: Current Knowledge and Emerging Insights.- Chapter 12. Technology for the Development of Value Added Products in Minor Millets.- Chapter 13. Value Chain Development of Minor Millets: Challenges and Opportunities.- Chapter 14. Front Line Demonstrations in Small Millets-Dissemination and Impact Assessment.- Chapter 15. Advances in Genetic Transformation Studies in Small Millets.