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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

Processing of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and sorghum products alters procyanidin oligomer and polymer distribution and content.

Sorghum procyanidins were characterized and quantified from two brown sorghum varieties and their processed products by normal phase HPLC with fluorescence detection. The DP of the procyanidins was determined by thiolysis. Quantification was done by using purified oligomeric and polymeric cocoa procyanidins as external standards. Sorghum procyanidins were composed mostly of high MW (DP > 10) polymers. Significant differences were observed in levels as well as distribution of the different MW procyanidins between the sorghums. Processing of the sorghum brans into cookies and bread significantly reduced the levels of procyanidins; this effect was more pronounced in the higher MW polymers. Cookies had a higher retention of procyanidins (42-84%) than bread (13-69%). Extrusion of sorghum grain resulted in an increase in the levels of procyanidin oligomers with DP </= 4 and decrease in polymers with DP >/= 6. This suggests a possible breakdown of the high MW polymers to the lower MW constituents during extrusion. Processing changes not only the content of procyanidins in sorghum products but also the relative ratio of the different molecular weights.

Biflavonoids↗

PubMed2003

Screening methods to measure antioxidant activity of sorghum (sorghum bicolor) and sorghum products.

Specialty sorghums, their brans, and baked and extruded products were analyzed for antioxidant activity using three methods: oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). All sorghum samples were also analyzed for phenolic contents. Both ABTS and DPPH correlated highly with ORAC (R(2) = 0.99 and 0.97, respectively, n = 18). Phenol contents of the sorghums correlated highly with their antioxidant activity measured by the three methods (R(2) >or= 0.96). The ABTS and DPPH methods, which are more cost effective and simpler, were demonstrated to have similar predictive power as ORAC on sorghum antioxidant activity. There is a need to standardize these methods to allow for data comparisons across laboratories.

Antioxidants↗

PubMed2002

The use of legume trap crops for control of Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth. in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) in northern Nigeria.

Two different field trials (one trial on sorghum intercropped with groundnut [Arachis hypogaea L.], and another trial on sorghum intercropped with bambara groundnut [Vigna subterranea L. Verdc.]) were conducted during the 1995 and 1996 rainy seasons at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri (11 degrees 51' N; 13 degrees 15' E) to evaluate the effect of intercropping resistant and susceptible sorghum varieties with the two legume crops for the control of Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth, in sorghum. The sorghum varieties used for both trials were ICSV 1002, ICSV 1007 (resistant varieties) and War-warabashi (susceptible). Ex-Dakar variety of groundnut was used for the sorghum-groundnut trial, while a creamed brown eyed local bambara groundnut was used for the sorghum-bambara groundnut trial. There were six treatments with the groundnut trial and nine treatments with the bambara trial and all were laid out in a randomised complete block design (RCBD) replicated four times. In the sorghum-groundnut trial, the results show that the intercropping of sorghum with groundnut significantly reduced Striga infestation up to 50% in sorghum in both years. Both resistant varieties supported significantly fewer number of Striga on sorghum when intercropped with groundnut compared with the sole sown susceptible variety. In both years and the combined analyses of 1995 and 1996 data, however, there was no significant difference in grain yield of sorghum due to the treatments. In the sorghum-bambara groundnut trial, the results show that Striga shoot count at harvest in sole sown ICSV 1007 was significantly lower than the ICSV 1002 variety, while the susceptible variety supported significantly higher Striga shoot count than the resistant varieties in both years and the combined analyses. Alternating stands of sorghum and bambara groundnut within the same row, in general, reduced Striga shoot count in all the varieties with a range of 56%-91% reduction than intercropping with sorghum varieties in alternate rows with bambara groundnut with a range of 45%-96% reduction, or sole sorghum of each variety. This resulted in significantly higher grain yield of ICSV 1002 (1175.0 kg ha-1 in 1995, 814.8 kg ha-1 in 1996, and 994.9 kg ha-1 in the combined data) than ICSV 1007 (892.6 kg ha-1 in 1995, 666.7 kg ha-1 in 1996, and 779.6 kg ha-1 in the combined data) when both were planted in alternate stands in the same row with bambara groundnut. This studies have confirmed the potentials of groundnut and bambara groundnut as trap crops in the management of S. hermonthica in sorghum under a dried environment.

Agriculture↗

PubMed2004

Comparison of brown midrib-6 and -18 forage sorghum with conventional sorghum and corn silage in diets of lactating dairy cows.

Total mixed rations containing conventional forage sorghum, brown midrib (bmr)-6 forage sorghum, bmr-18 forage sorghum, or corn silage were fed to Holstein dairy cows to determine the effect on lactation, ruminal fermentation, and total tract nutrient digestion. Sixteen multiparous cows (4 ruminally fistulated; 124 d in milk) were assigned to 1 of 4 diets in a replicated Latin square design with 4-wk periods (21-d adaptation and 7 d of collection). Diets consisted of 40% test silage, 10% alfalfa silage, and 50% concentrate mix (dry basis). Acid detergent lignin concentration was reduced by 21 and 13%, respectively, for the bmr-6 and bmr-18 sorghum silages when compared with the conventional sorghum. Dry matter intake was not affected by diet. Production of 4% fat-corrected milk was greatest for cows fed bmr-6 (33.7 kg/d) and corn silage (33.3 kg/d), was least for cows fed the conventional sorghum (29.1 kg/d), and was intermediate for cows fed the bmr-18 sorghum (31.2 kg/d), which did not differ from any other diet. Total tract neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility was greatest for the bmr-6 sorghum (54.4%) and corn silage (54.1%) diets and was lower for the conventional (40.8%) and bmr-18 sorghum (47.9%) diets. In situ extent of NDF digestion was greatest for the bmr-6 sorghum (76.4%) and corn silage (79.0%) diets, least for the conventional sorghum diet (70.4%), and intermediate for the bmr-18 sorghum silage diet (73.1%), which was not different from the other diets. Results of this study indicate that the bmr-6 sorghum hybrid outperformed the conventional sorghum hybrid; the bmr-18 sorghum was intermediate between conventional and bmr-6 in most cases. Additionally, the bmr-6 hybrid resulted in lactational performance equivalent to the corn hybrid used in this study. There are important compositional differences among bmr forage sorghum hybrids that need to be characterized to predict animal response accurately.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗

PubMed2000

Evaluation of planting date, sorghum hybrid, and insecticide treatment on sorghum midge (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) management in northeast Louisiana.

The combined effect of planting date, insecticide treatment, and host-plant resistance was studied in northeast Louisiana for management of the sorghum midge, Stenodiplosis sorghicola (Coquillett), during 1994 and 1995. Significantly higher numbers of sorghum midges were observed visiting flowering spikelets of the midge-susceptible sorghum hybrid (Delta and Pine Land 'DP1552') than those of the midge-resistant sorghum hybrid (DeKalb 'DK-60'). Numbers of midges averaged 1.2 and 0.6 per flowering panicle in the susceptible and resistant sorghum hybrids, respectively, in 1994 and 1.8 and 1.0, respectively, in 1995. Midge densities increased significantly as the sorghum flowering season progressed. Sorghum midge reached peak densities during the first half of August in 1994 and 1995. The length of the flowering period in the early-planted (mid-March) sorghum was significantly longer compared with the flowering periods in the mid-April, mid-May, or mid-June planted sorghums. This resulted in prolonged exposure of flowering panicles to ovipositing midges and increased midge damage in the early-planted (mid-March) sorghum. Damage by sorghum midge was significantly higher in the early-planted (mid-March) sorghum hybrids than in the late-planted (mid-June) sorghum hybrids. The midge-susceptible hybrid produced highest yields when planted in mid-April and mid-May (optimum period) and lower yields when planted very early (i.e., mid-March) or late (i.e., mid-June). No significant differences were observed in yields for the resistant hybrid at any planting date in 1994. However, in 1995, significantly lower yields were recorded in resistant sorghum planted in mid-June. Levels of sorghum midge damage and sorghum seed yields in the untreated resistant hybrid were not significantly different than those observed in the insecticide-treated susceptible hybrid. Numbers of adult midges captured on sticky traps were positively correlated to numbers of visual estimates of ovipositing midge females visiting flowering spikelets.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Digestibility by dairy cows of monosaccharide components in diets containing either ground sorghum or sorghum grain treated with sodium hydroxide.

Five cows in midlactation and equipped with ruminal and abomasal canulas were fed two isonitrogenous diets composed of 46% sorghum grain, either ground or treated with 4% NaOH, plus 39% wheat silage and 15% supplements. The DMI were 16.3 and 15.8 kg/d for cows fed the diets containing ground sorghum and treated sorghum, respectively. The digestibility of NDF polysaccharides was higher for cows fed the treated sorghum, but the digestibility of neutral detergent soluble alpha-glucans (starch) was higher for cows fed ground sorghum. Digestibility of total carbohydrate was 79% for cows fed the diet containing ground sorghum and 67% for cows fed the diet containing sorghum treated with NaOH. Ruminal pH was higher in cows fed the diet with treated sorghum, but total ruminal VFA concentration was higher in cows fed the diet containing ground sorghum. Profiles of individual ruminal VFA and NH3 concentration were similar for both treatments. Flow of NAN through the abomasum of cows fed ground sorghum was higher than that of cows fed the sorghum treated with NaOH, and N absorption in the intestine followed a similar trend. The data indicated a possible advantage for dairy cows fed ground sorghum than for those fed grain treated with NaOH.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2003

Starch branching enzymes in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and barley (Hordeum vulgare): comparative analyses of enzyme structure and gene expression.

A genomic clone for starch branching enzyme (SBE) IIb was isolated from a sorghum bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library. The promoter and 5' flanking sequence, the first four exons and introns as well as the last exon and the 3' untranslated region were sequenced. The tentative transcription start site of sorghum sbeIIb was mapped based on alignment with the maize sbeIIb gene. The exon-intron structure of the 5' portion of sorghum sbeIIb was similar to that of maize sbeIIb but differed from that of barley sbeIIb. Specifically, the intronic BbI element involved in the endosperm specific expression of barley sbeIIb was lacking in the sorghum gene. A cDNA clone for sorghum sbeIIb was reverse PCR amplified and found to encode an 803 amino acids long protein. The amino acid sequence of sorghum SBEIIb was compared to that of sorghum SBEI and corresponding enzymes in barley. The overall identity in amino acid sequence was 54% in the central portion of the enzymes. A major difference between the SBEII and SBEI isoforms was a 67 amino acids-long C-terminal extension in the SBEIs. The spatial and temporal expression patterns of sorghum sbeIIb was determined and compared with those of the sorghum gene for SBEI and the barley genes for SBEIIB and SBEI. All four genes exhibited a seed specific expression. However, while barley sbeIIb and sbeI transcripts were detected exclusively in the endosperm, the sorghum genes were expressed also in the embryo. The activity of sorghum sbeIIb and sbeI exhibited a late onset, with a peak of transcription at around 22 days after pollination. This is similar to the pattern of barley sbeI but different from that of barley sbeIIb, which showed a peak of transcription at 12 days after pollination.

1,4-alpha-Glucan Branching Enzyme↗

PubMed1997

[Antiphysiological and nutritional factor changes in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) seeds during germination].

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effects of germination on the nutritional quality of two commercial varieties of low tannin content Sorghum: brown sorghum without testa (ICSY-CM89513) and white sorghum (ISIAP Dorado). After 24 hours of germination the condensed tannin concentration (catechin equivalent) was reduced 60% and 40% for brown and white sorghum respectively. However, tannin levels increased up 100% at 96 h germination. Phytic acid concentration decreased about 90% in 96 hours for both varieties. The lysine concentration increased up 110% (72 h germination) and 129% (48 h) for white and brown sorghum respectively. The thiamine, niacin and riboflavin contents increased 73, 200 and 353% respectively for brown sorghum in 72 h and 15, 44 and 93% respectively for white sorghum in 48 h. The "in vitro" enzymatic digestibility was increased 39.3% (72 h) for brown sorghum and 100% for white sorghum. The albumin concentration increased 80% and 74% (72 h) for brown and white sorghum respectively. The Calculated Protein Efficiency Ratio indicated nutritional improvements with germination. The sprouting was a practical and simple process for providing better nutritional properties in sorghum seeds to be used as human food.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed2005

Fertility restorer locus Rf1 [corrected] of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) encodes a pentatricopeptide repeat protein not present in the colinear region of rice chromosome 12.

With an aim to clone the sorghum fertility restorer gene Rf1, a high-resolution genetic and physical map of the locus was constructed. The Rf1 locus was resolved to a 32-kb region spanning four open reading frames: a plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase, a cyclin D-1, an unknown protein, and a pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR13) gene family member. An approximately 19-kb region spanning the cyclin D-1 and unknown protein genes was completely conserved between sterile and fertile plants as was the sequence spanning the coding region of the Ca(2+)-ATPase. In contrast, 19 sequence polymorphisms were located in an approximately 7-kb region spanning PPR13, and all markers cosegregated with the fertility restoration phenotype. PPR13 was predicted to encode a mitochondrial-targeted protein containing a single exon with 14 PPR repeats, and the protein is classified as an E-type PPR subfamily member. To permit sequence-based comparison of the sorghum and rice genomes in the Rf1 region, 0.53 Mb of sorghum chromosome 8 was sequenced and compared to the colinear region of rice chromosome 12. Genome comparison revealed a mosaic pattern of colinearity with an approximately 275-kb gene-poor region with little gene conservation and an adjacent, approximately 245-kb gene-rice region that is more highly conserved between rice and sorghum. Despite being located in a region of high gene conservation, sorghum PPR13 was not located in a colinear position on rice chromosome 12. The present results suggest that sorghum PPR13 represents a potential candidate for the sorghum Rf1 gene, and its presence in the sorghum genome indicates a single gene transposition event subsequent to the divergence of rice and sorghum ancestors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2005

Transcriptional regulation of the sbeIIb genes in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and barley (Hordeum vulgare): importance of the barley sbeIIb second intron.

The transcriptional activity of the sorghum sbeIIb gene, encoding starch branching enzyme IIb, is seed specific, with expression in both the endosperm and the embryo. In comparison, expression of barley sbeIIb is confined to the endosperm, whereas that of barley sbeIIa occurs in endosperm, embryonic and vegetative tissues. It has been suggested that the second intron of barley sbeIIb may be instrumental in conferring endosperm-specific expression. Therefore, to further investigate the regulatory mechanisms of barley and sorghum sbe, we examined the tissue-specific activity of the sorghum sbe promoter in transient assays of green fluorescent protein (gfp) reporter constructs. We found that, when linked to the barley sbeIIb second intron, the sorghum sbeIIb promoter could not drive gfp transcription in sorghum or barley embryonic cells. Similar results were obtained for the barley sbeIIa promoter. Database searches showed that sequences homologous to the barley sbeIIb intron also exist in introns and flanking regions of some other grass genes. Deletion mutagenesis of the sorghum sbeIIb promoter identified the minimal promoters required for high- and low-level expression, respectively, but did not reveal any putative promoter elements crucial for expression. A sequence with similarity to the SURE element, implicated in sugar signaling, was located in the distal promoter region of sorghum sbeIIb, upstream of the minimal promoters. SURE elements are present in the proximal promoter regions of the sugar-regulated barley iso1 gene, and barley sbeIIb. In keeping in line with these observations, RNA-gel blot analyses demonstrated that expression of barley sbeIIb was sugar inducible, whereas that of sorghum sbeIIb was not.

1,4-alpha-Glucan Branching Enzyme↗

PubMed1998

Physical mapping of the liguleless linkage group in Sorghum bicolor using rice RFLP-selected sorghum BACs.

Physical mapping of BACs by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to analyze the liguleless (lg-1) linkage group in sorghum and compare it to the conserved region in rice and maize. Six liguleless-associated rice restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers were used to select 16 homeologous sorghum BACs, which were in turn used to physically map the liguleless linkage group in sorghum. Results show a basic conservation of the liguleless region in sorghum relative to the linkage map of rice. One marker which is distal in rice is more medial in sorghum, and another marker which is found within the linkage group in rice is on a different chromosome in sorghum. BACs associated with linkage group I hybridize to chromosome It, which was identified by using FISH in a sorghum cytogenetic stock trisomic for chromosome I (denoted It), and a BAC associated with linkage group E hybridized to an unidentified chromosome. Selected BACs, representing RFLP loci, were end-cloned for RFLP mapping, and the relative linkage order of these clones was in full agreement with the physical data. Similarities in locus order and the association of RFLP-selected BAC markers with two different chromosomes were found to exist between the linkage map of the liguleless region in maize and the physical map of the liguleless region in sorghum.

Basic-Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors↗

PubMed2002

Effect of traditional fermentation and malting on phytic acid and mineral availability from sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and finger millet (Eleusine coracana) grain varieties grown in Kenya.

Sorghum and finger millet grains are traditional staple foods in Kenya. However, they have naturally occurring anti-nutritional factors, such as phytic acid, that decrease their dietary availability. This work determined the effect of fermentation and malting on the phytic acid content of, and mineral availability in five varieties of sorghum and four varieties of finger millet grain grown in Kenya. Phytic acid ranged from 875.1 to 2,211.9 mg/100 g in sorghum. The levels in finger millet ranged from 851.6 to 1,419.4 mg/100 g grain. Fermentation resulted in a mean decrease of phytic acid in of 64.8% after 96 hours and 39.0% after 72 hours in sorghum grain. In finger millet, there was a mean decrease of 72.3% and 54.3% after 96 and 72 hours, respectively. Malting also resulted in a mean decrease of 23.9 and 45.3% after 72 and 96 hours, respectively. The extent of decrease of phytic acid differed among the grain varieties. Fermentation increased the rate of available iron, manganese, and calcium in both sorghum and finger millet. The available minerals were generally higher in finger millet than in sorghum after fermentation. Fermentation was also more effective than malting in reducing phytic acid in sorghum and finger millet. Simple traditional food processing methods can therefore be used to increase mineral availability.

Biological Availability↗

PubMed2003

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi-parasite-host interaction for the control of Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth. in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench].

Five Glomus species (G. intraradices, G. albidum, G. mosseae, G. fasciculatum, and G. etunicatum) were compared against a check [without arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, plus Striga] and control (without AM fungi or Striga) treatments for the control of Striga in a tolerant sorghum variety (War-wara bashi) in an experiment carried out in 12-cm-diameter clay pots. The experiment was carried out in a controlled growth chamber. G. mosseae significantly reduced the number of Striga emerging per plant, increased plant growth, shoot and total dry matter yield of sorghum, did not affect the root dry matter compared with the other AM fungi species, but had a comparable effect to the control treatment. All the AM fungi except G. mosseae, and also the Striga-infested treatment, increased the root:shoot ratio compared to the control treatment. The percent reduction (62%) of Striga emergence after G. mosseae inoculation resulted in about a 30% increase in total dry matter yield of sorghum over the control, while the total loss in dry matter yield of sorghum due to Striga infestation was 36%. Root colonization of sorghum by AM fungi was highest for G. mosseae (44%) followed by G. intraradices (24%) and G. albidum (23%) then G. fasciculatum (18%), with the lowest recorded for G. etunicatum (14%). No colonization of Striga roots was observed. The potential of AM fungi to reduce or to compensate for Striga infestation could be important for soil management, especially in the tropics, and for the reduction of Striga-resistant varieties of sorghum which are mycorrhiza-responsive.

Fungi↗

PubMed2002

Construction of a combined sorghum linkage map from two recombinant inbred populations using AFLP, SSR, RFLP, and RAPD markers, and comparison with other sorghum maps.

Sorghum [ Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is an important crop in the semi-arid tropics that also receives growing attention in genetic research. A comprehensive reference map of the sorghum genome would be an essential research tool. Here, a combined sorghum linkage map from two recombinant inbred populations was constructed using AFLP, SSR, RFLP and RAPD markers. The map was aligned with other published sorghum maps which are briefly reviewed. The two recombinant inbred populations (RIPs) analyzed in this study consisted of 225 (RIP 1) and 226 (RIP 2) F(3:5) lines, developed from the crosses IS 9830 x E 36-1 (RIP 1) and N 13 x E 36-1 (RIP 2), respectively. The genetic map of RIP 1 had a total length of 1,265 cM (Haldane), with 187 markers (125 AFLPs, 45 SSRs, 14 RFLPs, 3 RAPDs) distributed over ten linkage groups. The map of RIP 2 spanned 1,410 cM and contained 228 markers (158 AFLPs, 54 SSRs, 16 RFLPs) in 12 linkage groups. The combined map of the two RIPs contained 339 markers (249 AFLPs, 63 SSRs, 24 RFLPs, 3 RAPDs) on 11 linkage groups and had a length of 1,424 cM. It was in good agreement with other sorghum linkage maps, from which it deviated by a few apparent inversions, deletions, and additional distal regions.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2001

Phenolic compounds in a Sahelian sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) genotype (CE145-66) and associated soils.

CE145-66 is an improved early-maturing grain sorghum genotype, increasingly grown by farmers in the Sahelian part of Senegal. This genotype is known to have negative effects on the following groundnut crop, because of the release of allelopathic phenolic compounds into the soil. We have assessed the synthesis of phenolics in sorghum vegetative parts and the variations in synthesis between years and sites. Total phenols and phenolic acids in the aerial parts and roots of flowering sorghum plants from 52 farmers' fields at two sites (Sagnanème and Médina) in Senegal in 1996 and 1997 were measured. Thirty-eight soil samples, collected after the sorghum harvest, from sorghum rows and interrows also were analyzed for their phenolic content. Total phenols reached 1.1-1.5% of root dry weight and 1.1-2.2% of aerial parts dry weight, with little variation between sites, and large variability between years, presumably due to climatic conditions. Eight phenolic acids and three associated aldehydes were identified by HPLC, with p-hydroxybenzoic, p-coumaric, and ferulic acids the most abundant. Their totals reached 2.9-3.2 mg/g in 1996 and 2.6-2.8 mg/g in 1997 for the aerial part; and 3.3-3.6 mg/g in 1996 and 2.8-3.3 mg/g in 1997 for roots. In soils under sorghum rows, the mean water-soluble total phenols increased from 4.6 in 1997 to 6.7 micrograms/g in 1998 in Sagnanème, and from 3.8 in 1997 to 5 micrograms/g in 1998 in Médina. The concentrations of total phenols and phenolic acids were higher in rows than in interrows. All the phenolic monomers identified in vegetative parts were recovered in associated soil samples, with vanillic and p-hydroxybenzoic acids the most abundant. Finally, variability in plant phenolic content seemed more due to climatic than to cropping or soil factors, as differences between years appear more important than differences between or within sites.

Flavonoids↗

PubMed2001

Chemical, sensory and rheological properties of porridges from processed sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L. Verdc) and sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) flours.

The chemical, sensory and rheological properties of porridges made from blends of sprouted sorghum, bambara groundnuts and fermented sweet potatoes were examined. Sorghum and bambara groundnuts were sprouted for 48 h while sweet potatoes were fermented for the same period. Blends were formulated from the processed ingredients in the ratio of 60:40:0, 57:42:1, 55:44:1 and 52:46:2 (protein basis) of sorghum, bambara groundnuts and sweet potatoes. Porridges were prepared from the composite flours and the traditional sorghum complementary food. Standard assay methods were used to evaluate the flours for nutrient composition. The porridges were also tested for sensory properties and viscosity. Processing increased the levels of most of the nutrients evaluated. Relative to the sorghum traditional complementary food, the composite flours had higher levels of lipids, protein, ash, crude fiber and minerals (p < 0.05). The porridges from the composite flours were generally liked slightly by the panelists and were about seven times less viscous than the porridge from the traditional sorghum complementary food. Use of the composite flours, particularly the 52:46:2 blend, as a traditional complementary food should be encouraged in Nigeria especially with the increasing cost of commercial complementary foods.

Arachis↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Mapping QTLs associated with drought resistance in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench).

Drought is a major abiotic stress factor limiting crop production. Identification of genetic factors involved in plant responses to drought stress will provide a solid foundation to improve drought resistance. Sorghum is well adapted to hot dry environments and regarded as a model for studying drought resistance among the grasses. Significant progress in genome mapping of this crop has also been made. In sorghum, rapid premature leaf death generally occurs when water is limited during the grain filling period. Premature leaf senescence, in turn, leads to charcoal rot, stalk lodging, and significant yield loss. More than 80% of commercial sorghum hybrids in the United States are grown under non-irrigated conditions and although most of them have pre-flowering drought resistance, many do not have any significant post-flowering drought resistance. Stay-green is one form of drought resistance mechanism, which gives sorghum resistance to premature senescence under soil moisture stress during the post-flowering period. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) studies with recombinant inbred lines (RILs) and near-isogenic lines (NILs) identified several genomic regions associated with resistance to pre-flowering and post-flowering drought stress. We have identified four genomic regions associated with the stay-green trait using a RIL population developed from B35 x Tx7000. These four major stay-green QTLs were consistently identified in all field trials and accounted for 53.5% of the phenotypic variance. We review the progress in mapping stay-green QTLs as a component of drought resistance in sorghum. The molecular genetic dissection of the QTLs affecting stay-green will provide further opportunities to elucidate the underlying physiological mechanisms involved in drought resistance in sorghum and other grasses.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed1979

Protein quality in cereals and pulses. 3. Bioassays with rats and chickens on sorghum (Sorghum vulgare Pers.), barley and field beans (Vicia faba L.). Influence of polyethylene glycol on digestibility on the protein in high-tannin grain.

1. Two preceding papers in this series describe the application of microbiological and other in vitro tests in the evaluation of sorghum (Sorghum vulgare Pers.), field beans (Vicia faba L.) and barley, and in assessing the influence of polyethylene glycol (PEG 4000) on the nutritional availability of the methionine. The present paper gives for comparison the results of bioassays on some of the same test samples. Net protein utilization (NPU) in rats was measured by the nitrogen balance method, and N digestibility in chickens by the ileal analysis procedure. 2. In rat tests on sorghum, N in grain of high-tannin varieties was poorly digested. Supplementation of the test diets with 0.1 g PEG 4000/g protein gave a large improvemnet, which was partly offset by an apparent decrease in biological value (BV). With chickens N digestibility was even lower, and was similarly improved with PEG 4000. Treatment of high-tannin grain with ammonia solution was also effective in improving N digestibility. 3. With low-tannin sorghum the amino acid digestibilities were uniformly high and were not affected by addition of PEG to the test diet. With high-tannin sorghums they were low and less uniform, and were much improved by PEG 4000. 4. With field beans, the influence of the seed-coat tannin on protein utilization was much less pronounced than with sorghum. In chickens there was a significant effect (P less than 0.05) of PEG 4000 on N idgestibility in a high-tannin variety. With rats the effect was smaller and not significant. 5. In four samples of barley. N digestibility was high (0.87--0.96) and was not further improved by PEG 4000. The BV of a high-lysine cultivar proved marginally inferior to that of a normal variety. Possible reasons for this are discussed. 6. Over all, the results were closely consistent with those from microbiological tests with Streptococcus zymogenes.

Animals↗