Native to Ethiopia, Eritrea and Malawi, niger seeds are also grown in India. Niger seeds resemble sunflower seeds in shape, but are smaller in size and black. It bears a fairly thick, adherent seed coat and can be stored for up to a year without deterioration. Panchamrutha Niger seed contains proteins, oil and soluble sugars. Noug has been described as semi-domesticated, self-incompatible crop with yellow flowering heads and seeds Recent studies have used molecular markers to reveal the genetic diversity of some noug populations grown in Ethiopia studies have reported regional genetic differentiation within noug based on RAPD and AFLP markers Niger seeds are used as bird feed worldwide.Niger seeds are tiny, oval-shaped seeds, similar in size to sesame seeds.They have a dark black or charcoal gray color.Niger seeds are also used in southern parts of India. In Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, Niger seeds (called valisalu/valasulu, uchellu/gurellu and Karale in Telugu, Kannada and Marathi respectively) are used to make a dry chutney which is used as an accompaniment with breads (Chapathi).