Genomic Advances for Low Glycemic Index Trait in the Climate-Smart Nutricereal Pearl Millet

The world is facing a surge in cases of lifestyle-associated disease such as type 2 diabetes, which not only burdens the healthcare sector but also impacts the socio-economic potential of a country. Dietary changes by inclusion of foods that lower the glycemic load can be a model intervention to mitigate this global health challenge. A perfect example of this is provided by pearl millet which is a nutritious cereal traditionally consumed in many parts of South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Besides being highly tolerant to climate extremities such as drought and high temperature, pearl millet is nutritionally enriched to curb type 2 diabetes and associated health risks. The magic lies in its grains that possess relatively low glycemic index and several other properties that render it diabetic-friendly. As compared to commonly eaten cereals such as rice and wheat, the native ratio of nutritionally important starch components (rapidly and slowly digestible starch and resistant starch) along with chemical composition and structure of the starch granules are major factors that are responsible for its slower digestibility leading to better blood glucose levels. This chapter attempts to provide information on the current genomic advancements in pearl millet research and strategies to develop varieties with a low glycemic index are emphasized.