Foxtail millet genome sequencing, assembly, annotation, and application

Abstract

Among millets, foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.) is a well-studied crop, which is known for its genetic close-relatedness to biofuel grasses and cereals, C4 photosynthesis, and appreciable tolerance to broad-spectrum abiotic stresses. Foxtail millet, along with its wild ancestor, green foxtail (S. viridis L.), are accentuated as model crops for studying the aforementioned traits. In view of their importance, the genomes have been sequenced and released. The present chapter summarizes the sequencing efforts, the outcomes, and the application of sequence information in expediting genomics studies. In addition, the chapter also provides a snapshot of how the genome sequence information has been exploited to develop different genomic resources useful for crop improvement.