Phylogenetics and evolution of Digitaria grasses, including cereal crops fonio, raishan and Polish millet.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Millet crops in the grass genus Digitaria include white and black fonio (D. exilis and D. iburua), raishan (D. compacta) and Polish millet (D. sanguinalis), cultivated across West Africa, India and Europe. Fonio and raishan crops are important in supporting food security and subsistence agricultural systems in rural communities, while D. sanguinalis is no longer cultivated. These crops are resilient to challenging climates. We aim to produce an integrated study of these crops: a phylogeny of the Digitaria genus including all four food species, to identify key crop wild relatives; time-calibrated biogeographic analysis, to investigate the history and evolution of Digitaria; and a morphological study to assess the transition between wild and domesticated species.<

SUBMITTER: Burton GP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12784079 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature