Introduction to millet and challenges of millet production due to extreme environmental conditions in India: a review

Abstract

Millets are one of the most nutritious crops, having rich nutritional value and a number of benefits in curing diseases. Rajasthan is the biggest producer of millet. 91% of the arable land in Rajasthan is cultivated for pearl millet, as it is the most resistant millet to abiotic and biotic stresses and can also withstand more climatic changes as compared to other millets. There are various extreme environmental conditions for low production of millets, such as abiotic stress (drought, heat, lodging stress, etc.), biotic stress (diseases caused by bacteria, fungi, and also various viruses such as MStV-S, MMV-S, SRSD, ragi severe mosaic, ragi mottle streak, etc.), and a number of anti-nutrient compounds found in millets that chelate cations in the human body, reducing the nutritional value of millets. This review article deals with an overview of different types for millet varieties, their production in different areas and what are the environmental factors which are the reason for yield loss of millets. This article can help to find the area where research work is much needed for the improvement of this rich crop.