VATIS UPDATE Article

A global team of 65 scientists from 30 research institutions, have decoded the genome of bajra and discovered how the crop survives high temperatures and drought, a finding that may help boost production of other cereals in light of the impending global climate change and food crisis. Rising temperatures and frequency of extreme climate events like heat waves in many parts of the world will lead to a drop in major staple crop production.

Scientists decoded and sequenced the bajra (or pearl millet) genome and revealed critical coping strategies. The analysis has led to a better understanding of the ability of this dryland cereal to survive soaring temperatures of over 42 °C and its exceptional drought tolerance. The discovery published in the journal Nature Biotechnology may help develop climate adaptation strategies in other important food crops.

This research co-led by the International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), India, BGI- Shenzhen, China and the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), used the latest innovations in DNA sequencing and analysis. The team identified new genetic tools like molecular markers related to drought and heat tolerance, as well as other important traits.