Breeding strategy in foxtail millet,Setaria italica (L.P. Beauv.), following interspecific hybridization

Summary An interspecific cross between foxtail millet Setaria italica and its wild relative Setaria viridis was undertaken in order to introduce from the latter triazine resistance in the cultivated plant. Four backcross generations obtained with S. italica as recurrent parent were studied. Results show that only two backcross generations associated with selection are enough to eliminate weedy characters and to return to the cultivated type. S. viridis could thus be an interesting source for improvement of foxtail millet without a complex and time consuming breeding strategy.