Genetic Improvement In The Genus Eleusine

Eleusine (Poaceae) is a small genus (x = 8, 9, 10) consisting of six diploid and three tetraploid species. Eleusine coracana (finger millet; 2n = 4x = 36) is the only cultivated species of the genus which holds a prominent place in the cropping sequences in semi-arid regions of India, Africa and other South Asian countries. The grain of finger millet is used to prepare diverse types of food items and also have medicinal value. Finger millet and its wild relatives are rich source of disease resistance and other agronomically important alleles. These alleles can be used successfully for crop improvement programs. Therefore, in recent years considerable interest has been centred towards the understanding of the relationships between the cultivated crop plant and its wild relatives. This chapter gives an overview on current understanding on the phylogenetic relationships within the genus Eleusine and other resources that can be utilized for successful genetic improvement programs.