Author(s):

Kuldip Chandra Verma, Nidhi Joshi, Amit Singh Rana and Dheeraj Bhatt

Abstract: Millets are a traditional staple food of the dry land regions of the world. They are nutri-cereals which are highly nutritious and are known to have high nutrient content, including protein, essential fatty acids, dietary fibre, B-Vitamins, minerals such as calcium, iron, zinc, potassium and magnesium. Foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.) is one of the earliest cultivated crops, extensively grown in the arid and semi-arid regions of Asia and Africa, as well as in some other economically developed countries of the world. It has strong adaptability to abiotic stresses, especially drought, and poor soil. It also has high nutritional value. Foxtail millet is rich in essential amino acids, fatty acids and minerals, and is considered to be one of the most digestible and non-allergenic grains available and has significant importance for human health. The millet is also reported to possess hypolipidemic, and antioxidant characteristics. It is suitable for individuals suffering from diabetes mellitus due to its low glycemic index. Foxtail millet has potential to adapt in abiotic stresses associated with climate change, it is more important than ever to develop breeding strategies that facilitate the increasing demand for high quality grain that better satisfies consumers. It is a cereal suitable to address food and nutrition security due to its yielding potential in drought and poor-resource environments, and also due to its ability to produce food products with significant health-benefitting properties.

Pages: 1036-1038  |  2478 Views  1443 Downloads

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