Insights into panicle trait variation and DUF-640 gene conservation in Indonesian foxtail millets (Setaria italica)
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Foxtail millet (Setaria italica) isaresilient yet underutilised C4cereal valued for its adaptability toabiotic stress and high nutritional content. While panicle traits have been linked toyield inmany cereals, the spatial arrangement offoxtail millet panicles remained unexplored, especially among locally adapted genotypes. This study aimed tocharacterise spatial panicle architecture traits and toanalyse the DUF-640, agene controlling primary branch number, among Indonesian foxtail millet genotypes. Results revealed substantial variation inpanicle architecture, including primary branch number, grain number, and grain density ineight Indonesian foxtail millet genotypes, suggesting potentially greater diversity across broader germplasm. Incontrast tothe substantial panicle trait variations, phylogenetic and structural analyses showed that DUF-640 genes were highly conserved across Setaria species. Although previously associated with primary branch development, the coding sequence ofDUF-640 was not associated with branching variation inthis study. However, its high sequence conservation across Setaria species suggests avital and possibly conserved regulatory function. This study enhances the understanding ofthe morphological and genetic diversity offoxtail millet, particularly among Indonesian foxtail millet genotypes. Future research should focus onthe functional characterisation ofDUF-640 and the identification of regulatory sequences governing its gene expression.
Institution: IPB University
Language: English
Subfield: Genetics
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $609
OpenAlex ID: W4416851608