Morphophysiological and molecular characterization of millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) varieties for crop improvement in Western Europe

Abstract Background Global warming and issues in favour of a more sustainable agriculture suggest reconsideration minor cereals European agrosystems. Compared to other summer crops, proso millet has remarkable drought resistance could be used improve crop rotation biodiversity. Proso is also increasingly sought by industry produce novel foods such as those designed for coeliac patients. In this study, thorough characterization 11, commercially available, ( Panicum miliaceum L.) varieties was carried out preliminary step reintroduction breeding Western Europe. Methods The cultivars under evaluation were introduced from Austria, Poland, Russia, the USA (University Nebraska–Lincoln). Plants grown at Udine (NE Italy) Gleisdorf (Styria, Austria), greenhouse field conditions, respectively. Yield components range morphophysiological characters recorded both locations. parallel, 85 SSR markers tested on DNA samples extracted randomly chosen plants each variety 12 responsive genotype whole set. Results Morphometric analyses showed that have several diverging phenotypic traits architectures. all instances, yields level much lower than potential yields. respect, US selections comparable earlier developed varieties, suggesting an increased adaptation keystone stable Molecular uncovered remarkably low genetic differences heterozygosity levels within cultivars, confirming essentially autogamous species; contrast, large distances noted among selected different environments. genotyping combined with originating indicated possible crosses source variability necessary selection. Conclusions This study enabled identification revitalize Europe genetically variable hybrid progenies exploitable breeding.