ABSTRACT
Little millet, belonging to the family Poaceae is native to India and is also called Indian millet. Little millet is tolerant to both drought and water logging conditions. The crop is well adapted to varied soil and agro-ecosystems. The total phenol content and ferrous ion chelating activity of soluble extract from little millet is found to be higher than other millets. Besides, grains have excellent storage properties and can be stored easily under ordinary storage conditions for several years without any fear of storage pests. Grain smut disease is quite prevalent in early maturing genotypes of little millet. Symptoms are evident at grain filling stage. The infected ovaries are transformed into smut sori. The size of ovaries does not increase in size as compared to the normal grain. Little millet was reported very good host for spiral nematode, Helicotylenchus dihystera and H. abunaamai.
