Evaluation and Utilization of Genetic Resources of Minor Millets

Abstract

The National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, during the past 7-8
years, has been engaged actively in the exploration (collection), evaluation,
conservation and utilization/exploitation of genetic resources of various
species, namely, Setaria italica, Eleusine coracana, Panicum miliaceum,
Panicum sumatrense, Echinochloa frumentacea, Echinochloa crus-galli and
Paspalum scrobiculatum under minor millet group ofcrops. A total of 3,123
diverse genetic resources (905 collections in Setaria, 601 in Panicum, 983 in
Eleusine sp., 386 in Echinochloa sp. and 248 in Paspalum scrobiculatum)
assembled from diverse agro-climatic zones from within India and abroad,
were evaluated thoroughly from 1980 to 1984 at Akola and Shimla locations
for various agro-botanical and economic characters. The variability occurring
in above crops for most of the agronomic attributes (including fodder characters),
is of immense significance to the breeder.