Origin, Domestication, Taxonomy, Botanical Description, Genetics and Cytogenetics, Genetic Diversity, Breeding of Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica (L.) Beauv.)

Foxtail millet belongs to the Family Poaceae, Subfamily Panicoideae, Genus Setaria and Species Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauvois. Foxtail millet scientific name Setaria italica (also known as Panicum italicum L.), is an annual herb cultivated for human consumption. Among millet he is the second most widely cultivated and is the most cultivated millet species in Asia. Foxtail millet is an annual grass grown for human food. It is the second-most widely planted species of millet, and the most grown millet species in Asia. The oldest evidence of foxtail millet cultivation was found along the ancient course of the Yellow River in Cishan, China, carbon dated to be from around 8,000 years before present. Foxtail millet has also been grown in India since antiquity. There are three to four foxtail varieties available in the market, namely Moharia, Maxima, Nana and Indica. Foxtail millets have a sweet and nutty flavour and are eaten as instant foods, ready-to-eat products, rice flour, etc. Apart from the culinary uses, it is a farmer-friendly and health-friendly crop; making it “good for you” (due to its nutritional value), and “good for the world” (as it requires less water and other factors for cultivation). In India, foxtail millet is an important crop in its arid and semi-arid regions. In South India, it has been a staple diet among people for a long time from the Sangam period. It is referred to often in old Tamil texts and is commonly associated with Lord Muruga and his consort Valli. Foxtail millet, also known as Italian millet or German millet, belongs to Poaceae family and is cultivated globally, including in India. It is also a staple food and feed in several regions of Asia and Africa. Fotail millet is also known as dwarf setaria, foxtail bristle-grass, giant setaria, green foxtail, Italian millet, German millet, and Hungarian millet. Names for foxtail millet in Indian languages include: Assamese: koni dhaan), Bengali: kaon dana, Hindi: Kangni, Gujarati: kang, Kannada: navane, navanakki, Malayalam: thina, Marathi: kang or rala , Odia: kaṅgu,ṭāṅgaṇa, Punjabi: Kangni, Sanskrit: priyangu, kangu, Tamil: thinai, iradi, enal, kangu, kavalai, or kambankorai; nuvanam (millet flour) and Telugu: korralu or korra. It is rich in dietary fibre, protein, vitamins and minerals, and low in fat. Studies show that people who consume foxtail millet in their diet have a lower probability of suffering from diabetes as it doesn’t increase the blood sugar levels immediately but slowly releases glucose into the bloodstream. It is rich in dietary fibre and minerals like iron and copper. Due to this, it helps to reduce the levels of bad cholesterol and keeps the immune system strong as well. It is gluten free and improves digestion. It is high in antioxidants, prevents Cancer, has high calcium content and maintains bone health. It helps in weight loss, and it has anti-aging properties as well. The cultivation of foxtail millets began in 8700 BC in China. In India, these are widely grown in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu (Singh, 2023). In this review article on Origin, Domestication, Taxonomy, Botanical Description, Genetics and Cytogenetics, Genetic Diversity, Breeding, Uses, Nutritional Value and Health Benefits of Foxtail Millet are discussed.