Advancements in Genetic Enhancement Addressing Key Challenges in Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.)

Aher, R R and Palakolanu, S R (2025) Advancements in Genetic Enhancement Addressing Key Challenges in Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.). Journal of Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology. pp. 1-18. ISSN 0971-7811

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Abstract

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum R. Br.), an important cereal crop widely grown in arid and semi-arid regions of Asia and Africa, plays a vital role in global food security. However, it faces significant challenges due to climate change, soil degradation, emerging pests, and diseases. Genetic enhancement is a promising approach to mitigate these challenges and to improve pearl millet resilience and yield. This review explores recent advancements in genetic enhancement to addresses key constraints in boosting pearl millet yields sustainably. The developments in genetic enhancement hold promise for addressing the complex challenges faced in pearl millet cultivation and offers the way forward for increased productivity, resilience, and food security in vulnerable regions. This review highlights modern strategies such as molecular breeding, genomic selection, systems biology tools, genetic engineering, and gene editing, which enable the precise identification and incorporation of desirable traits such as abiotic stress tolerance, resistance to biotic stress, improved nutritional content, etc. However, continued research, collaboration, and investment are essential to fully harness the potential of genetic resources and technologies to benefit smallholder farmers and global food and nutritional security.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	Global Research Program - Accelerated Crop Improvement
CRP:	CGIAR Research Program on Grain Legumes and Dryland Cereals (GLDC)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Climate change, Food security, Gene editing, Genetic enhancement, Genetic transformation, Heterosis, Nutrition, Pearl millet
Subjects:	Others > Genetic Engineering Mandate crops > Millets > Pearl Millet Others > Food and Nutrition Others > Climate Change Others > Food Security
Depositing User:	Mr Nagaraju T
Date Deposited:	23 Sep 2025 05:22
Last Modified:	23 Sep 2025 05:22
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/13335
Official URL:	https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13562-0...
Projects:	UNSPECIFIED
Funders:	UNSPECIFIED
Acknowledgement:	This work was undertaken as part of the CGIAR Research Program on Grain Legumes & Dryland Cereals (CRP-GLDC). RA acknowledges fellowship support from the Department of Science and Technology through the DST INSPIRE Fellowship (DST/INSPIRE/03/2018/000417).
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