Climate resilience and nutritional security: Understanding abiotic stress response and mitigation strategies in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.)

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.), is a robust, drought-resistant and climatic resilient cereal that is essential for ensuring food security in semi-arid tropical regions crop, particularly in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, whereas other crop fails to withstand in harsh environmental conditions such as drought, high temperatures, and low nutrient status soils. Pearl millet is grown on approximately 26 million hectares globally. To feed the rapidly expanding population, pearl millet is a smart choice for modern diet and also a climatic resilient crop to meet the demand of food and nutritional security to everyone. As climate change intensifies and abiotic stress becomes more pronounced, the significance of pearl millet as a excellent food source for millions is increasingly evident. This review examines the physiological and mechanisms that enable pearl millet to withstand abiotic stresses, including heat stress, salinity and drought and explores its potential for mechanism to stand with these stresses. Key adaptive traits, such as deep rooting systems, efficient water use, and robust photosynthetic mechanisms, are highlighted as essential for its resilience. Additionally, the review discusses emerging mitigation strategies, including selective breeding, biotechnology, and improved agronomic practices aimed at enhancing yield stability and resilience under changing climatic conditions. Ultimately, understanding and leveraging the adaptive capacity of pearl millet will be essential for sustaining agricultural productivity and food security in vulnerable regions amid global climate challenges.