The Key descriptors for foxtail millet consist of an initial minimum set of characterization and evaluation descriptors for Setaria italica and Setaria pumila of the family Poaceae. This strategic set aims at facilitating access to and utilization of these species and it does not exclude the addition of other descriptors later. This work has been done jointly with the ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research (ICAR- IIMR), the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), the ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBPGR) and the FAO International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. The list was based on the Descriptors for Setaria italica and Setaria pumila (IBPGR, 1985). Subsequently, internet searches were carried out looking for the most updated information on relevant characteristics and traits. The original list was subsequently integrated with evaluation traits. Special attention was given to the inclusion of descriptors relevant to germplasm utilization and biotic and abiotic stresses of particular importance in the context of emerging adverse weather events, which are expected to intensify under current and future climate challenges. The key set of access and utilization descriptors was defined through an online survey, in which 29 experts from 20 different organizations and universities from 13 countries participated. Survey results were subsequently validated in consultation with a Core Advisory Group (see “Contributors”) led by ICAR-IIMR, ICAR-NBPGR and ICRISAT. The strategic set of data standards is designed to facilitate access to and utilization of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. Together with passport information (Alercia et al. 2015, 2018, 2022), descriptors are critical to the effective sharing of characterization and evaluation data and to the efficient use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.
Elangovan, M., Hariprasanna, K., Pandey, S., Pradheep, K., Vetriventhan, M., Alercia, A., Cerutti, A.L., Lopez, F. 2023. Key descriptors for foxtail millet. ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad, Telangana, India; ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi, India; International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Hyderabad, Telangana, India and FAO on behalf of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, Rome, Italy. doi.org/10.4060/cc7531en.
Record the growth habit on plot basis at flowering/heading stage.
| Code | Term | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Erect | |
| 2 | Erect geniculate | |
| 3 | Decumbent | |
| 4 | Prostrate |
Record number of days from sowing until 50% of plants (main tillers) have begun to flower/anthesis on plot basis.
Record the height of main tillers of five randomly selected plants from ground level to tip of inflorescence at physiological maturity. In case of decumbent or prostrate, record length of flowering culm from rooted base at physiological maturity.
Record number of main tillers at ground level or from the basal nodes on five randomly selected plants at physiological maturity.
Record the pigmentation on five randomly selected plants at flowering.
| Code | Term | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Not-pigmented or green | |
| 1 | Pigmented | |
| 2 | Deep purple |
Record the number of culm branches on the main stem of five randomly selected plants at physiological maturity.
Legend:
Absent
Few
Many
Record the predominant colour assessed as a single observation on group of plants on plot basis from main tillers at vegetative stage. Use RHS Colour Chart codes if available.
| Code | Term | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Light green | |
| 2 | Green | |
| 3 | Yellow | |
| 4 | Purple | |
| 5 | Dark purple | |
| 99 | Other |
Record leaf blade length from ligule to tip of flag leaf on main tillers of five randomly selected plants at flowering.
Record leaf blade width at the widest point of flag leaf on main tillers of five randomly selected plants at flowering.
Record leaf sheath length from node to ligule on main tillers of five randomly selected plants at flowering.
Record the level of leaf senescence assessed as a visual observation on plot basis at panicle maturity.
Legend:
Leaves almost green
Leaves moderately green
Leaves almost dry
Leaves completely dry
Record length of peduncle from top most node of main tiller to base of inflorescence on five randomly selected plants at maturity.
Record length of the exposed portion of the peduncle from the flag leaf sheath up to the base of the inflorescence on main tillers of five randomly selected plants at maturity.
Record length of inflorescence from lowest branch to tip of last branch on main tillers of five randomly selected plants at physiological maturity.
Record the width of widest part of inflorescence on main tillers of five randomly selected plants at physiological maturity.
Record the size of lobes on the inflorescence of five randomly selected plants at physiological maturity.
Legend:
Absent
Small
Medium
Large
Record the growth habit on plot basis at flowering.
| Code | Term | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Erect | |
| 2 | Semi-erect | |
| 3 | Horizontal | |
| 4 | Drooping |
Record the branching of panicle on five randomly selected plants at distal end of panicle at physiological maturity.
| Code | Term | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Absent | |
| 1 | Present |
Record the length of bristles assessed as visual observation at the middle of the inflorescence on five randomly selected plants at flowering stage.
Legend:
Short <4 mm
Medium 4-8 mm
Long >8 mm
Record the arrangement of lobes and compactness of inflorescence on five randomly selected plants at physiological maturity.
Legend:
Loose
Medium
Compact
Record the predominant shape observed on five randomly selected plants at physiological maturity.
| Code | Term | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oblong | |
| 2 | Ovate | |
| 3 | Elliptic | |
| 4 | Obovate |
Record the predominant colour visually assessed as a single observation on a small seed lot. Use RHS Colour Chart codes if available.
| Code | Term | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | White | |
| 2 | Yellow | |
| 3 | Orange | |
| 4 | Brown | |
| 5 | Red | |
| 6 | Black | |
| 99 | Other | Specify in descriptor Notes |
Record the shape visually assessed as a single observation on a small seed lot.
| Code | Term | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Round | |
| 2 | Elliptical | |
| 3 | Oval | |
| 4 | Ovate |
Record weight of 1000 seeds after drying the seeds at about 11-12% moisture content.
Record percentage of spikelets remaining on racemes at full maturity from five plants selected at random.
Legend:
Low
Medium
High
Record the average grain yield of five plants randomly selected.
Record the average straw yield of five plants randomly selected.
Record percentage of carbohydrate content from seed samples randomly collected from the plot.
Record percentage of crude protein content from seed samples randomly collected from the plot.
Record percentage of dietary fibre content from seed samples randomly collected from the plot.
Record calcium content from seed samples randomly collected from the plot.
Record starch type on seed samples randomly collected from the plot.
| Code | Term | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Non waxy | |
| 1 | Waxy |
Biotic stress susceptibility. Scored as percentage infection from a specific trial to induce disease under natural/artificial inoculation conditions to be specified; state origin of infestation or infection in Notes.
Legend:
Very Low
Low
Intermediate
High
Very High
Biotic stress susceptibility. Scored as percentage infection from a specific trial to induce disease under natural/artificial inoculation conditions to be specified; state origin of infestation or infection in Notes.
Legend:
Very Low
Low
Intermediate
High
Very High
Biotic stress susceptibility. Scored as percentage infection from a specific trial to induce disease under natural/artificial inoculation conditions to be specified; state origin of infestation or infection in Notes.
Legend:
Very Low
Low
Intermediate
High
Very High
Biotic stress susceptibility. Scored as percentage infection from a specific trial to induce disease under natural/artificial inoculation conditions to be specified; state origin of infestation or infection in Notes.
Legend:
Very Low
Low
Intermediate
High
Very High
Biotic stress susceptibility. Record percentage deadhearts at 21 days after seedling emergence; screening under timely/late sowing condition to be specified.
Legend:
Very Low
Low
Intermediate
High
Very High
Biotic stress susceptibility. Record percentage deadhearts at vegetative stage/white earheads at maturity.
Legend:
Very Low
Low
Intermediate
High
Very High
Biotic stress susceptibility. Scored as percentage infection from a specific trial to induce disease under natural/artificial inoculation conditions to be specified; state origin of infestation or infection in Notes.
Legend:
Very Low
Low
Intermediate
High
Very High
Biotic stress susceptibility. Scored as percentage infection or infestation from a specific trial under natural/artificial infestation conditions to be specified; state origin in Notes.
Legend:
Very Low
Low
Intermediate
High
Very High
Biotic stress susceptibility. Record percentage deadhearts at vegetative stage/white earheads at maturity.
Legend:
Very Low
Low
Intermediate
High
Very High
Abiotic stress susceptibility. Scored as percentage survival from a specific trial to induce stress, under conditions which are clearly specified.
Abiotic stress susceptibility. Scored as percentage survival from a specific trial to induce stress, under conditions which are clearly specified. Drought trials are often performed under greenhouse conditions or rain-out shelters.
Abiotic stress susceptibility. Scored as percentage survival from a specific trial to induce stress, under conditions which are clearly specified.
Abiotic stress susceptibility. Scored as percentage survival from a specific trial to induce stress, under conditions which are clearly specified.