Summary
This 2024 narrative review examines drought resistance mechanisms across minor millet species, synthesising evidence on physiological, biochemical, and molecular adaptations that confer resilience to water stress. Minor millets are increasingly recognised as climate-adaptive staple crops; the review integrates findings on stress-tolerance traits and suggests these crops merit greater attention in agricultural systems facing increasing aridity. The work appears designed to inform breeding programmes and agronomic strategies for enhancing food security in drought-prone regions.
UK applicability
Direct applicability to UK farming is limited, given the UK's temperate climate and established cereal infrastructure. However, the review may inform research on climate adaptation in marginal UK soils and on diversification of cereal crop portfolios as climate becomes more variable.
Key measures
Drought tolerance traits; physiological responses (osmotic adjustment, water-use efficiency); biochemical markers (antioxidant enzyme activity, proline accumulation); molecular mechanisms (gene expression); agronomic performance under drought stress
Outcomes reported
The study reviews physiological, biochemical, and molecular drought resistance mechanisms in minor millets (finger millet, foxtail millet, proso millet, and related species). It synthesises current knowledge on adaptive strategies and stress-tolerance traits that enable these crops to maintain productivity under water-limited conditions.
Topic tags
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