Domestication, cultivation and utilization of two small millets, Brachiaria ramosa and Setaria glauca (Poaceae), in South India

Brachiaria ramosa is cultivated in pure stands. Its grains are used in prep aring at least nine traditional foods in South India. Setaria glauca is cul tivated in mixed stands along with little millet (Panicum sumatrense). In O rissa state and in Southern India the grains are used to make at least six traditional foods as a supplementary ingredient. The weedy forms of these w ere found growing with upland rice and some millets in diverse agro-ecologi cal niches, and are identified by various vernacular names by local farmers . Explorations were conducted to gather information on the evolutionary tre nds, domestication and ethnobotany of these minor food crops. These finding s substantiate the belief that domestication process may have passed throug h three distinct phases: (i) art associated mimic weed with upland rice and some millets; (ii) a secondary crop mixed with little millet or kodo mille t; and (iii) as an independent crop. Also, this process has been promoted a s a means of imparting adaptation to an arid climate and in turn related to the diversification of the agriculture basic complex.