Initiation of Setaria as a model plant

Abstract

Model organisms such as Arabidopsis ( Arabidopsis thaliana) and rice ( Oryza sativa ) have proven essential for efficient scientific discovery and development of new methods. With the diversity of plant lineages, some important processes such as C ₄ photosynthesis are not found in either Arabidopsis or rice, so new model species are needed. Due to their small diploid genomes, short life cycles, self-pollination, small adult statures and prolific seed production, domesticated foxtail millet ( Setaria italica) and its wild ancestor, green foxtail ( S. viridis), have recently been proposed as novel model species for functional genomics of the Panicoideae, especially for study of C ₄ photosynthesis. This review outlines the development of these species as model organisms, and discusses current challenges and future potential of a Setaria model.