Genetic and Molecular Approaches to Enhance Blast Resistance in Finger Millet: A review

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn) stands as the leading millet species and a vital staple food across many regions including India- being a largest producer with 3.7 million tons/year accounting 46 % globally. However, blast disease by Pyricularia grisea, records major yield losses and threatens world food security. Traditional crop management practices are insufficient to achieve complete eradication of the pathogen. Additionally, numerous breeding initiatives, markers like SSR, RFLP, AFLP, and EST have shown a low variation in developed finger millets. Addressing this challenge requires the implementation of gene stacking or pyramiding, along with the finding of novel resistance (R) genes targeting blast disease, which constitutes a critical objective in finger millet breeding. Genome-wide association mapping studies have identified substantial QTLs connected to blast resistance in finger millet. Together, these investigations support the continuing efforts to locate and explain important QTLs linked to blast resistance in order to assist with crop management and breeding. Hence, development of blast-resistant varieties is crucial. Present article provides a comprehensive overview of nutritional importance, blast disease, and various studies conducted to enhance finger millet, including genetic enhancement and offer suggestions for blast management approaches for finger millet improvement.