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Four types of molecular markers were used to obtain the genetic map of the
polyploid finger millet (Eleusine coracana subsp. coracana), an important
cereal crop in East Africa and Southern India, January 2007.

Finger millet is grown mainly by subsistence farmers and serves as a food
security crop because of its high-nutritional value and excellent storage
qualities.

To date most varieties of finger millet are from germplasm selections as
there are very few breeding activities on the crop. Hybridization between
cultivated types or between wild and cultivated types may have potential in
improving finger millet.

The construction of the genetic map by an international group of researchers
provided the first step toward mapping traits of agronomic importance.
Mathews Dida and colleagues utilized several types of molecular markers to
generate the genetic map from plants derived by crossing the wild progenitor
of finger millet and an elite cultivar.

The researchers believe that the map will ultimately help in transferring
useful traits such as blast resistance, lodging resistance, drought
tolerance, and nutritional value, in finger millet breeding programs.

The complete paper published by the journal Theoretical and Applied
Genetics, can be accessed by subscribers at
[www.springerlink.com].