Genome Sequencing of Ragi (First in the World)
Science & Technology › Biotechnology – Applications · Topic 11.26
Ragi, also called finger millet and scientifically named Eleusine coracana, is a small-grained cereal grown in dry areas of India and Africa, and its genome was sequenced by scientists of the University of Agricultural Sciences in Bengaluru, Karnataka, who reported the first draft genome of finger millet. The genome of this allotetraploid crop, with 36 chromosomes, helps researchers to find genes for drought tolerance, disease resistance, high calcium and protein content and good grain yield. Ragi is one of the nutri-cereals promoted by the Government as Shree Anna, and India led the United Nations decision to declare 2023 as the International Year of Millets. The sequence supports marker assisted breeding of better varieties.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Science & Technology · Biotechnology – Applications
At a Glance
- Crop Ragi or finger millet
- Scientific name Eleusine coracana
- Genome work UAS Bengaluru
- Nutrient highlight Calcium rich
- UN year Millets, 2023
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Science & Technology: Biotechnology – Applications
Where Does It Fit?
This topic begins a series of recent developments in the macro. It applies genome sequencing, studied earlier in the macro, to a millet crop that matters for nutrition and dry land farming. Previous topic: Public Acceptance and Safety of New Biotechnology Foods. Next topic: UK’s Approval of Gene-Editing License Research.
What Are the Key Facts About Ragi and Its Genome?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Crop | Finger millet is a small-grained cereal grown in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand and other states. Karnataka is the leading producer |
| Nutrition | Rich in calcium, fibre and iron, and gluten free |
| Genome type | Allotetraploid with 36 chromosomes, formed from two related ancestral genomes |
| Genome size | Roughly one and a half gigabases, with many repeated sequences |
| Sequencing institution | University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru, working with scientists from other bodies |
| Uses of the sequence | Finding genes and markers for drought and blast disease tolerance, calcium content and yield |
| Next step | Breeding and gene editing to develop improved varieties |
Why Is It Important for Farming and Nutrition?
- Climate resilience: ragi grows with little water and in poor soil, so it suits drought-prone areas
- Nutrition security: ragi provides calcium, iron and fibre, and helps to address anaemia and malnutrition
- Breeding speed: DNA markers allow selection of good plants without waiting for full growth
- Disease resistance: finding genes for resistance to blast disease protects yield
- Grain quality: genes for higher protein, calcium and better cooking quality can be selected
- Farmers’ income: better varieties and market demand for millets can raise returns for dryland farmers
- Conservation of landraces: genome data help to understand and protect diverse farmers’ varieties
- Global sharing: data from ragi can help other millet breeding programmes in Africa and Asia
What Else Should You Remember?
- Shree Anna: the name given by the Government to millets, which include jowar, bajra, ragi and small millets
- International Year of Millets 2023: declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 2021 on a proposal from India
- National Millets Year: India observed 2018 as the National Year of Millets
- Indian Institute of Millets Research: based in Hyderabad, it is the national centre for millet research of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research
- Minimum Support Price: ragi is included in the crops for which the Government announces support prices
- C4 photosynthesis: ragi uses the efficient C4 pathway, which suits hot and dry conditions
- Public distribution: several states, such as Karnataka, supply ragi through the public distribution system
- Allotetraploid: an organism with two different sets of chromosomes from two parent species, which makes sequencing complex
- Other genomes: other cereals such as rice, maize and sorghum were sequenced earlier, and bajra and foxtail millet genomes are also available, as in Genome Sequencing and Its Practical Uses
- Claims of first: statements that Indian scientists did the first finger millet genome refer to the first reported draft, so exam answers should say first draft genome
- Seed systems: better varieties help only if seed is available, so seed production is as important as research
- Link: breeding tools including editing are discussed in Gene Editing (CRISPR) and Gene Therapy
- Ragi products: ragi flour, malt, porridge, roti and baby food are common, and value added products help to widen the market
- Women farmers: many small millet farms are managed by women, so research on millets also supports women farmers
- Climate change: millets need less water and fertiliser than rice and wheat, so they fit climate adaptation plans
- PLI for millets: the Production Linked Incentive scheme for food processing includes millet based products
Why Does It Matter for the Exam?
- Crop facts: scientific name, nutrient, states
- Policy: Shree Anna and Year of Millets
- Genomics: uses of crop genome sequence
- Current affairs link: millet promotion and new varieties
- Common errors: confusing ragi with bajra, or saying ragi is rich in iodine
As an analytical point, genome data help to speed up breeding of climate-smart crops. The gain reaches farmers only when linked with seed supply, markets and demand for millets in daily diets.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Crop Ragi facts
- Genomics Breeding tools
- Policy Year of Millets
What Came Next?
The next topic covers the United Kingdom’s approval of licensed research on gene editing. Next topic: UK’s Approval of Gene-Editing License Research.
Key People and Terms
- Allotetraploid Two ancestral genome sets
- Nutri-cereal Nutrient rich millet
- Landrace Traditional farmer variety
- Marker DNA signpost for a trait
- Blast Fungal disease of cereals
- C4 plant Efficient photosynthesis in heat
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Ragi: Eleusine coracana.
- Chromosomes: 36.
- Rich in calcium.
- International Year of Millets: 2023.
- Millet institute: Hyderabad.
Do Not Confuse With
- Ragi and bajra Finger millet versus pearl millet
- Genome sequencing and gene editing Reading versus changing
- Nutri-cereal and Shree Anna Descriptive term versus official name for millets
Memory Hook
Ragi calcium, thirty-six strands; sequence, mark, then breed for the dry lands.
Mains Angle
Questions ask about crop facts, policy and the use of the genome. These points help.
- Nutrition Calcium and iron
- Climate Drought tolerance
- Biotechnology Genome guided breeding
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Discuss the significance of genome sequencing of ragi for nutrition security and climate-resilient agriculture in India.”
How to Answer
- Crop Facts.
- Genome Markers, genes.
- Benefit Nutrition, drought.
- Way Seed, markets.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ragi?
Ragi, also known as finger millet and scientifically named Eleusine coracana, is a small-grained cereal that grows well in dry areas and poor soils. It is rich in calcium, iron and fibre and is gluten free. It is widely grown in Karnataka and other southern and hill states of India.
Why was the ragi genome sequenced?
The ragi genome was sequenced to find genes and DNA markers linked to important traits such as drought tolerance, resistance to blast disease, high calcium and protein content and good yield. These markers help breeders to develop improved varieties faster than by field selection alone.
Who sequenced the ragi genome?
Scientists at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru, in Karnataka reported the first draft genome of finger millet, working with other institutions. The ragi genome is complex because the plant is an allotetraploid with 36 chromosomes derived from two ancestral genomes.
What is Shree Anna?
Shree Anna is the name used by the Government of India for millets, including jowar, bajra, ragi and small millets. The Government has promoted them for nutrition and climate resilience, and India proposed the United Nations declaration of 2023 as the International Year of Millets.
What is an allotetraploid?
An allotetraploid is an organism that has four sets of chromosomes derived from two different parent species, formed by hybridisation followed by chromosome doubling. Finger millet is an allotetraploid, which makes its genome large and complex to assemble but also gives it genetic diversity useful in breeding.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 Ragi is rich in calcium.
A nutri-cereal.
2 The scientific name of finger millet is Eleusine coracana.
Also called ragi.
3 The United Nations declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets.
On India's proposal.
4 Ragi is the same crop as pearl millet.
Pearl millet is bajra.
Past Mains Questions on This Topic
This topic comes under Biotechnology – Applications. UPSC Mains questions asked on the matching syllabus topic, year-wise with marks:
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