Millet Cultivars Research Articles

Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Profile of Sorghum (Sorghumbicolor (L.) Moench) and Pearl Millet (Pennisetumglaucum (L.) R.Br.) Grains Cultivated in the Far-North Region of Cameroon.

Sorghum and pearl millet are grain crops that can grow in semi-arid climates, with nutritional and bioactive properties superior to those of major cereals such as rice, wheat, and maize. However, these properties vary a lot, depending on the genetic factors, growing conditions, and place of cultivation. Four sorghum and two pearl millet grains cultivars grown in the Far-North region of Cameroon were screened for their chemical composition and antioxidant profile. The proximate and mineral analyses were performed using AOAC standard methods. The antioxidant profile was assayed spectrophotometrically and details on the phenolic compounds were investigated using HPLC. The pearl millet cultivars, especially mouri, showed higher contents of proteins, lipids, ash, calcium, copper, iron, and zinc. The red sorghum specifically exhibited the greatest amounts of total polyphenols (82.22 mg GAE/g DE), total flavonoids (23.82 mg CE/g DE), and total 3-deoxyanthocyanidin (9.06 mg/g DE). The most abundant phenolic compound was gallic acid, while the most frequent were chlorogenic and ferulic acids. The maximum antioxidant activity against DPPH was observed in yellow-pale sorghum (87.71%), followed by red sorghum (81.15%). Among the studied varieties of cereals, mouri pearl millet and red sorghum were the best sources of nutrients and bioactive compounds, respectively. Their consumption should be encouraged to tackle nutrient deficiencies and non-communicable diseases within local populations.

Comparative transcriptome and physiological analysis unravel proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) source leaf adaptation to nitrogen deficiency with high nitrogen use efficiency

Nitrogen (N) is an essential macronutrient that limits agricultural productivity; however, excessive N fertilizers are still used, especially in China. Improving crop N use efficiency (NUE) is an effective measure to reduce environmental pollution and is a primary direction in agricultural crop improvement. Although the physiological and molecular mechanisms for uncovering differences in NUE have become increasingly important, only a few crops have been studied to date. Two proso millet ( Panicum miliaceum L.) cultivars with contrasting NUE, the low–N–tolerant cultivar (T184) and the low–N–sensitive cultivar (S111), were used to explore physiological as well as comparative transcriptomic mechanisms for earning high NUE in field and hydroponic experiments. The results showed that T184 had higher N uptake and utilization efficiencies and better photosynthetic capacity than S111 in field trials, as measured by increased chlorophyll content and net photosynthetic rate. Meanwhile, improved NUE and yield of T184 were observed compared with S111 under different N regimes. In hydroponic experiments, T184 had higher photosynthetic capacities in leaves and higher N metabolism enzyme activities in leaves and roots than S111, despite the photosynthetic and physiological parameters exhibited decreasing tendency to N deficiency in both T184 and S111. Furthermore, transcriptomic analysis revealed that T184 had less differentially expressed genes (DEGs) than S111. Many genes involved in photosynthesis and N uptake and assimilation were implicated in conferring NUE. Four nitrate transporter genes and eight photosynthetic genes were higher in T184 than in S111 under low and recovery N conditions and were strongly associated with NUE. These results revealed that greater N uptake and utilization efficiencies, accelerated N assimilation and translocation, and enhanced photosynthetic activity confer higher NUE in proso millet. • The low N–tolerant proso millet had increased N uptake, N utilization efficiency (NUE), and grain yield. • Higher photosynthetic capacity and physiological metabolism of the low–N–tolerant proso millet were observed. • Identify photosynthesis candidate genes could facilitate breeding for enhanced NUE. • High N uptake and utilization efficiencies, maintained photosynthesis, and N transport resulted in a higher NUE.

Characterizing Root Morphological Traits in 65 Genotypes of Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica L.) from Four Different Ecological Regions in China

As an indispensable grain crop, foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.) is becoming a functional food in China because of its abundant nutrients. However, low rainfall and uneven precipitation limit its growth and production, especially in northwest China. Understanding the root phenotypic characteristics of foxtail millet is critical for utilizing its root characteristics to breed new millet varieties with improved resource-use efficiency and better adaptation to harsh environments. The present study characterized the variability of the root morphological traits at the seedling stage of 65 millet genotypes selected from four ecological regions across seven provinces in China. The plants were assessed after 21 days of growth in the germination pouches, and 48 root and shoot traits were measured. The results showed a large variation among the genotypes in the growth and functional traits. Among the measured traits, root dry mass, maximal root length, root surface area, and root tissue density contributed the most to the principal components. Root surface area ratio and root volume ratio were significantly correlated with root length ratio, respectively, while root length density and root weight density were negatively correlated with root diameter (p < 0.01). Shoot dry mass, root number, root length, root dry mass, and total dry mass were closely correlated with each other. Root length and root surface area in each 5-cm sections decreased from the top to the bottom along the root system. Among the four ecological regions, genotypes from the early maturing area of northwest China had the greatest root length, shoot dry mass, root dry mass, and root density, while those from the early maturing area of northwest China generally had the largest root system, with about 2.2 times more root length and dry weight than those from the early maturing area of northeast China (the shortest root system). The genotypic variability in root traits and correlations among shoot and root traits form a basis for breeding new millet cultivars.

Seed pre-soaking with brassinolide enhances photosynthetic resistance of foxtail millet seedlings under mesosulfuron-methyl + iodosulfuron-methyl- sodium stress

The mixture of mesosulfuron-methyl + iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium (ME+IMS) as post-emergence dual-purpose herbicide exhibits phytotoxicity in foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.) Reducing ME+IMS stress in foxtail millet is therefore of practical significance. This study assessed the effects of seed pre-soaking with different concentrations of brassinolide (0.01, 0.1, 1.0 and 2.0 mg L-1) on foxtail millet grown under ME+IMS (2.81+0.56 g ai ha-1) stress. The agronomic characteristics, photosynthetic pigment, gas exchange parameters, chlorophyll fluorescence and P700 parameters of two foxtail millet cultivars (‘Jingu 21’ and ‘Zhangza 5’) were analyzed 7 d after ME+IMS treatment at the 5th leaf stage. Compared with ME+IMS treatment alone, brassinolide treatment within a concentration range of 0.1-1.0 mg L-1 had a positive effect on all plant parameters to varying degrees. Pre-soaking of seeds with 0.1 mg L-1 brassinolide increased the leaf area (41.8%), fresh mass (179.2%), net photosynthetic rate (Pn, 38.4%), transpiration rate (Tr, 61.5%), stomatal conductance (gs, 103.1%), photosystem II maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm, 8.6%), effective quantum yield (Y(II), 16.0%), electron transport rate (ETR(II), 17.8%), photosystem I photochemical quantum yield (Y(I), 16.7%) and electron transport rate (ETR(I), 38.7%) in ‘Zhangza 5’ leaves under ME+IMS stress. An increase in plant height (53.0%), total chlorophyll (38.3%), carotenoid contents (40.0%), and maximal P700 change (Pm, 34.3%) were also observed following 1.0 mg L-1 brassinolide treatment compared with ME+IMS in ‘Jingu 21’. Comprehensive analysis showed that pre-sowing seed treatment with 0.1-1.0 mg L-1 brassinolide could enhance the growth and photosynthetic resistance of foxtail millet seedlings to ME+IMS stress.

Cultivar sensitivity of broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) to nitrogen availability is associated with differences in photosynthetic physiology and nitrogen uptake

In order to explore the influences of low nitrogen (N) fertilizer on the growth performances of two broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) cultivars with different N tolerances, the field experiment was carried out with a low–N–tolerant cultivar (BM 184) and a low–N–sensitive cultivar (BM 230) under three N levels (0, 75 and 150 kg N ha−1) in the Loess Plateau, China. 150 kg N ha−1 was conventional N application rate and considered as the control. Compared to typical N supply, low N fertilizer significantly weakened the photosynthetic capacity by increasing the light transmission ratio and decreasing leaf area index, resulting in reduced biomass accumulation. BM 184 held the longer duration of the biomass increase phase and larger relative growth rate than BM 230 as well as higher photosynthetic parameters (i.e., relative chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, and transpiration rate) did under low N treatments. Such optimized physiological characteristics contributed to more effective N uptake and transportation from the stems, leaves, and sheaths to grains in the BM 184. Furthermore, compared with BM 230, BM 184 had higher rhizosphere soil fertility and soil enzyme activity under low N conditions; consequently, combined with the physiological characteristics for aboveground and soil nutrient status for belowground, higher productivity was obtained in BM 184 than that in BM 230 over the two years study. Overall, our results demonstrated that low–N–tolerant cultivar achieved reduced N fertilizer input with increased efficiency by optimizing growth performances in semi–arid cultivation areas.

Zinc and iron biofortification in pearl millet cultivars as influenced by different fertifortification strategies in semi arid tropics

Two field experiments were conducted during Kharif 2018 and 2019 on clay loam soils at Zonal Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station, Babbur farm, Hiriyur, Karnataka to evaluate the performance of pearl millet cultivars by different zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) fertifortification methods. Micronutrient (Zn and Fe) management strategies were employed in main plots that include application of recommended NPK, along with recommended NPK supply of Fe and Zn through soil, foliar application and FYM enrichment along with plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). Three pearl millet cultivars [Variety - ICTP 8203 Fe (Dhanshakti), Hybrid - ICMH 1202 and local cultivar (variety - WCC 75)] were considered in sub plots laid in split plot design with three replications. Three methods of micronutrient application tested improved the grain Fe and Zn concentrations of both biofortified cultivars Dhanshakti and Hybrid along with grain yield. Enrichment of FYM with Fe and Zn resulted in higher concentration and uptake of Fe and Zn than other modes of micronutrient application. The hybrid ICMH 1202 had obtained significantly higher grain yield (2203 kg ha−1), grain micronutrient concentration of pearl millet (50.52 and 83.88 mg kg−1 Zn and Fe, respectively) with the application of enriched FYM + PGPR along with recommended NPK and found the best.

DYNAMICS OF MILLET STRAW CULTIVATED AT DIFFERENT SOWING DATES IN THE OFF-SEASON

The millet straw dynamics at different sowing dates in the off-season were evaluated in an experiment conducted in Rio Verde-GO. The experimental design used was randomized blocks arranged in a split-plot scheme, with four replications and four sowing dates. Five millet genotypes, two cultivars (ADR300 and ADR500) for biomass production, a dual-purpose hybrid (ADR8010) for grain and biomass production, and two hybrids (ADR9010 and ADR 9020) for grain production were used. Biomass production was performed at 0, 60, 94, 140, and 178 days after grain harvest. The millet cultivars and hybrids showed similar dry biomass production at different sowing dates, with an average production of 8,917 kg ha-1. The ADR300 and ADR500 cultivars and the ADR8010 hybrid showed similar dry biomass decomposition rates at all sowing dates. The hybrids ADR9010 and ADR9020 showed lower rates of straw decomposition in the fourth sowing date than the other genotypes. The hybrids ADR9010 and ADR9020, specific for grain production, have the potential for biomass production similar to the cultivars, regardless of the sowing dates.

Breeding Drought-Tolerant Pearl Millet Using Conventional and Genomic Approaches: Achievements and Prospects.

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] is a C4 crop cultivated for its grain and stover in crop-livestock-based rain-fed farming systems of tropics and subtropics in the Indian subcontinent and sub-Saharan Africa. The intensity of drought is predicted to further exacerbate because of looming climate change, necessitating greater focus on pearl millet breeding for drought tolerance. The nature of drought in different target populations of pearl millet-growing environments (TPEs) is highly variable in its timing, intensity, and duration. Pearl millet response to drought in various growth stages has been studied comprehensively. Dissection of drought tolerance physiology and phenology has helped in understanding the yield formation process under drought conditions. The overall understanding of TPEs and differential sensitivity of various growth stages to water stress helped to identify target traits for manipulation through breeding for drought tolerance. Recent advancement in high-throughput phenotyping platforms has made it more realistic to screen large populations/germplasm for drought-adaptive traits. The role of adapted germplasm has been emphasized for drought breeding, as the measured performance under drought stress is largely an outcome of adaptation to stress environments. Hybridization of adapted landraces with selected elite genetic material has been stated to amalgamate adaptation and productivity. Substantial progress has been made in the development of genomic resources that have been used to explore genetic diversity, linkage mapping (QTLs), marker-trait association (MTA), and genomic selection (GS) in pearl millet. High-throughput genotyping (HTPG) platforms are now available at a low cost, offering enormous opportunities to apply markers assisted selection (MAS) in conventional breeding programs targeting drought tolerance. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology, micro-environmental modeling, and pearl millet whole genome re-sequence information covering circa 1,000 wild and cultivated accessions have helped to greater understand germplasm, genomes, candidate genes, and markers. Their application in molecular breeding would lead to the development of high-yielding and drought-tolerant pearl millet cultivars. This review examines how the strategic use of genetic resources, modern genomics, molecular biology, and shuttle breeding can further enhance the development and delivery of drought-tolerant cultivars.

Assessing the Adaptability of Quinoa and Millet in Two Agroecological Zones of Rwanda

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) and millet species (including Eleusine coracana, Panicum miliaceum, and Setaria italica) are nutritionally valuable seed crops with versatile applications in food production and consumption. Both quinoa and millet have the potential to provide drought-tolerant, nutritious complementary crops to maize that is predominantly cultivated in Rwanda. This study evaluated quinoa and millet genotypes and assessed their agronomic performance in two agroecological zones of Rwanda. Twenty quinoa and fourteen millet cultivars were evaluated for grain yield, emergence, days to heading, flowering, and maturity, and plant height in 2016 and 2017 in Musanze, a highland region (2,254 m above sea level), and Kirehe, in the Eastern lowlands of Rwanda (1,478 m above sea level). Quinoa yield ranged from 189 to 1,855 kg/ha in Musanze and from 140 to 1,259 kg/ha in Kirehe. Millet yield ranged from 16 to 1,536 kg/ha in Musanze and from 21 to 159 kg/ha in Kirehe. Mean cultivar plant height was shorter in Kirehe (μ = 73 and 58 cm for quinoa and millets, respectively), than Musanze (μ = 93 and 76 cm for quinoa and millets, respectively). There was a genotype × environment interaction for maturity in quinoa and millet in both years. Across locations, “Titicaca” and “Earlybird” (Panicum miliaceum) were the earliest maturing quinoa and millet varieties, respectively, both with an average of 91 days to maturity. The results suggest that quinoa and millet have potential as regional crops for inclusion in the traditional dryland cropping rotations in Rwanda, thereby contributing to increased cropping system diversity and food security.

Use of biostimulants in millet as strategies for tolerance to salinity of irrigation water

Millet is grass with high forage potential in semi-arid regions, both for its versatility of use and nutritional quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of a biostimulant and the plant extract (Cyperus rotundus) on the growth forage, and grain production in millet (cultivar IPA BULK 1BF) submitted to salt stress conditions. The research was carried out at the Serra Talhada Academic Unit, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, in the Semiarid region of the Northeast of Brazil, from February to April 2017. The experiment was installed in randomized blocks, in a 3x4 factorial scheme, composed of a biostimulant (ACADIAN®), nutsedge extract, and the control, in four salinity levels of the irrigation water, electrical conductivities of 0, 1, 2 and 4 dS m-1, with four repetitions. Biometric analysis of all plants was carried out weekly to monitor crop growth. At 77 days after emergence, measures of net CO2 assimilation and transpiration rates were obtained. The harvest occurred with the maturation of the grains (ED9), being analyzed the dry mass of the different morphological components of the plant. The biostimulant at the level of 2 dS m-1 promoted an increase of 66% in the leaf area of millet compared to the control. With 4 dS m-1, the nutsedge extract provided an increase of 253% in the leaf area compared to the control. These expressive results obtained with the use of these compounds reflected in a production of dry leaf blade mass. The IPA BULK 1 BF millet cultivar has tolerance to the salinity levels studied in this research. The nutsedge extract and the biostimulant are alternatives capable of stimulating the growth and the production of forage of millet under the presence of salts in the irrigation water, however, these compounds have no influence on grain production

Root growth characteristics of millet cultivars and sorghum hybrids under increasing levels of soil compaction

Soil compaction negatively affects the physical properties of soil. The study of plants with the potential for mechanical loosening of soil is important for improving soil management and crop yield. In this context, the millet and sorghum are used as an alternative crop in the off-season in the mainly agricultural soil tropical. These roots can be a alternative to of soil mechanical loosening and avoiding mechanic tillage practices and keep soil conservation. Based on this, we assessed the aerial and root growth of millet and sorghum cultivars under different levels of soil compaction. The experiment was conducted in greenhouse conditions using a completely randomized design with four replicates. The treatments comprised of four cultivars of millet (ADR300, ADR500, BN2 and BRS1501) and two sorghum hybrids (Cober crop Atlantica and Monsanto) at four levels of subsurface soil bulk density (1.34, 1.53, 1.72, and 1.81 Mg m-3). We measured the root dry matter, root length density, mean root diameter for the upper, compacted and lower layers, and also the total dry matter. At soil bulk density 1.72 Mg m-3, both sorghum hybrids showed higher aerial dry matter production. At the highest level of soil bulk density, roots accumulated in the upper layer. Millet cultivar BN2 showed a decrease in root dry matter with increasing density in the compacted layer. All millet cultivars exhibited similar average root diameter at higher levels of compaction, except Millet ADR500 that showed less root diameter in the Upper compacted layer. Cober crop showed potential for soil decompaction, indicating the potential of this sorghum hybrid to soil mechanical loosening in the tropical soils

First Report of Panicle Rot Caused by Fusarium asiaticum on Foxtail Millet in China.

Foxtail millet [ Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.] is one of the most important nutritious food crops. It is used for wine and health products in China. In August of 2019, panicle rot symptoms with up to 85% of panicles infected were observed on foxtail millet (cultivar Chaogu 8) in a commercial field located in Chaoyang city of Liaoning Province, China. Typical disease symptoms included brown spots on spikelets at early stages and brown-colored withering and rot of whole panicles at late stages, with the symptoms being more severe at the tip of the panicles. Under high humidity conditions, pink or salmon-colored molds developed on panicles. Symptomatic spikelet pieces were surface-disinfested with 70% ethanol for 1 min followed by 2% NaOCl for 3 min, rinsed with sterilized water for three times, and placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium at 25°C. After 5 days, colonies turned pink to dark red with fluffy aerial mycelium and pigmentation with the age. Ten pure cultures were obtained from single conidia of mycelium grown on carnation leaf agar (CLA) medium at 25°C under a 12-h light-dark cycle using an inoculation needle under stereomicroscope. Macroconidia were hyaline, falcate with foot cells, 3-5 septate and size: 28.5- 44.0 μm × 3.8 - 4.9 μm. Chlamydospores were globose to subglobose (5.4 to 13.8 μm). No microconidia were produced on CLA. Black, ostiolate subglobose perithecia were formed on CLA after one month of incubation at 20°C under a 12-h light-dark cycle. Morphological characteristics of the fungus were in agreement with the description of Fusarium asiaticum (O'Donnell et al. 2004; Leslie and Summerell 2006). To validate this identification, partial translation elongation factor 1 alpha (TEF1-a) gene, and rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of five isolates were amplified and sequenced (O'Donnell et al. 2015; White et al.1990). Identical sequences were obtained, and the sequence of one representative isolate (JGF-3) was submitted to GenBank. BLASTn analysis of both TEF sequence (MW685833) and ITS sequence (MW423687), revealed 100% sequence identity with F. asiaticum KT380120 and MT322117, respectively. Pathogenicity test were conducted on cultivar Chaogu 8 of foxtail millet. Inoculum was prepared from the culture of JGF-3 incubated in 2% mung beans juice on a shaker (140 rpm) at 25°C for 48 h. Conidial suspension (5 × 105 conidia per ml) was prepared and sprayed onto the panicles of 20 plants at the initial flowering stage and 20 additional plants that were sprayed with distilled water served as the non-inoculated controls. Treated plants were covered with plastic bags for 48 h and maintained at a greenhouse with day and night temperatures of 26 and 24°C, respectively. Two weeks after inoculation, all inoculated panicles exhibited symptoms similar to the syptoms observed in the field. No symptoms were observed in the non-inoculated control plants. The experiment was repeated twice with similar results. F. asiaticum was reisolated from the inoculated plants and its morphological characteristics matched those of the original isolates; the fungus was not reisolated from the non-inoculated plants. To our knowledge, this is the first report of F. asiaticum causing panicle rot of foxtail millet in China. To date, the disease has been observed to be present in Fuxin and Tieling city of Liaoning Province. Panicle rot can become an important disease in foxtail millet in China.

Comparative Study of AMMI- and BLUP-Based Simultaneous Selection for Grain Yield and Stability of Finger Millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.] Genotypes.

Finger millet, an orphan crop, possesses immense potential in mitigating climate change and could offer threefold security in terms of food, fodder, and nutrition. It is mostly cultivated as a subsistence crop in the marginal areas of plains and hills. Considering the changes in climate inclusive of recurrent weather vagaries witnessed every year, it is crucial to select stable, high-yielding, area-specific, finger millet cultivars. Sixty finger millet varieties released across the country were evaluated over six consecutive rainy seasons from 2011 to 2016 at the Agricultural Research Station, Vizianagaram. The genotype × environment interaction (GEI) was found to be significant in the combined ANOVA. Furthermore, the Additive Main effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) analysis asserted that genotypes and the GEI effects accounted for approximately 89% of the total variation. Strong positive associations were observed in an estimated set of eleven stability parameters which were chosen to identify stable genotypes. Furthermore, Non-parametric and Parametric Simultaneous Selection indices (NP-SSI and P-SSI) were calculated utilizing AMMI-based stability parameter (ASTAB), modified AMMI stability value (MASV), and Modified AMMI Stability Index (MASI) to identify stable high yielders. Both methods had inherent difficulties in ranking genotypes for SSI. To overcome this, the initial culling [i.e., SSI with culling strategy (C-SSI)] of genotypes was introduced for stability. In the C-SSI method, the top ten genotypes were above-average yielders, while those with below-average yield were observed in NP-SSI and P-SSI methods. Similarly, the estimation of best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP)-based simultaneous selections, such as harmonic mean of genotypic values (HMGV), relative performance of genotypic values (RPGV), and harmonic mean of relative performance of genotypic values (HMRPGV), revealed that none of the top ten entries had below-average yield. The study has proven that C-SSI and BLUP-based methods were equally worthy in the selection of high-yielding genotypes with stable performance. However, the C-SSI approach could be the best method to ensure that genotypes with a considerable amount of stability are selected. The multi-year trial SSI revealed that entries Indaf-9, Sri Chaitanya, PR-202, and A-404; and VL324 and VL146 were ascertained to be the most stable high-yielding genotypes among medium-to-late and early maturity groups, respectively.

Comparative analysis of drought-responsive physiological and transcriptome in broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) genotypes with contrasting drought tolerance

Climate change has caused severe drought, affecting global crop production. Broomcorn millet is a drought-tolerant crop preferred for water-saving agriculture because of its short life cycle and high water use efficiency. This study evaluated the drought tolerance of 300 broomcorn millet varieties from 21 sources under well-watered, semi-arid conditions (Yulin, Shaanxi, China) and unwatered, arid conditions (Dunhuang, Gansu, China). Two broomcorn millet varieties with contrasting drought tolerance attributes, DT 43 (drought-tolerant) and DS 190 (drought-sensitive), were selected for comparative physiological and transcriptional assessment under the two drought stress conditions (polyethylene glycol 6000 [PEG-6000] and soil drought) and corresponding melatonin treatments. The two forms of drought stress decreased photosynthetic capacity and triggered transcriptome reprogramming in both broomcorn millet cultivars. However, PEG induced a more ‘severe’ and ‘rapid’ drought stress than the ‘milder’ and ‘slower’ soil moisture drought stress. Moreover, PEG stress caused severe growth arrest and photosynthesis inhibition, especially for DS190. About 61.38% and 48.78% differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were up-regulated in DT 43 under PEG and soil drought stresses, respectively. Moreover, 74.31% and 54.59% DEGs were up-regulated in DS 190 under PEG and soil drought stresses, respectively. Most DEGs in DT 43 were significantly enriched in hormone signal transduction, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, and carbon metabolism pathways. However, most DEGs in DS 190 were enriched in plant photosynthesis, chlorophyll metabolism, and nitrogen metabolism pathways. Moreover, melatonin enhanced the drought resistance of the two genotypes, increasing photosynthetic and antioxidant enzyme activity and thus mitigating transcription response. Therefore, these unique mechanisms of enhancing drought resistance can improve bioenergy crops, especially for the cultivation of drought-tolerant varieties.

Influence of Seed Priming on Growth, Yield and Fodder Quality of Pearl Millet Cultivars

Influence of Seed Priming on Growth, Yield and Fodder Quality of Pearl Millet Cultivars

VL Mandua 382: The first early maturing, white seeded finger millet cultivar suitable for rainfed organic agro-ecology of Himalayan region

White seeded finger millet is known to have higher acceptability in the baking and food industry compared to the brown seeded finger millet genotypes. The available white seeded finger millet genotypes are late maturing and blast susceptible thereby reducing their farmer’s acceptability in the north western Himalayan region particularly in Uttarakhand. Keeping this in view, the development of early maturing, blast resistance white seeded finger millet breeding programme was initiated at ICAR –VPKAS, Almora in 2003-04, which resulted in the release of VL Mandua 382in the year 2021, the first early maturing white seeded finger millet cultivar of finger millet suitable for rainfed and organic agro-ecology of the Himalayan region. It was derived from the cross between late maturing, white finger millet genotype WR 2 (obtained from UAS Bangalore) and early maturing and locally adapted blast tolerant brown seeded genotype VL 201. It recorded an average grain yield of 1,198 kg/ha, which was at par with the brown seeded check VL Mandua 324 (1,197 kg/ha) and out yielded the brown seeded check PRM-1 (1,163 kg/ha) by 3.0 per cent in State Varietal Trials (SVT) conducted under organic conditions of the Himalayan region. The grains contain higher calcium (340 mg/100g) and protein (8.8%) in comparison to the brown seeded check variety VL Mandua 324 (294 mg/100gand 6.6%, respectively). It exhibited moderate resistance to leaf, finger and neck blast in the multilocation trials conducted over 9 locations. Considering the speciality trait (white grains), excellent grain quality, matching yield potential with brown seeded check varieties and blast tolerance, the variety was released for cultivation in rainfed organic agro-ecology of Uttarakhand hills. Key words: Blast resistance, grain quality, VL Mandua 382, white seed finger millet, calcium content

Cleaner production of proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) in salt-stressed environment using re-watering: From leaf structural alleviations to multi-omics responses

Severe environmental conditions inhibit plant growth, which is rapidly restored when conditions improve. However, the mechanisms underlying re-watering to relieve Na+ toxicity and promote growth in proso millet are unclear. Herein, comparative phenotypic, physiological, phytohormone and multi-omics analyses between salt-sensitive (SSR) and salt-tolerant (STIM) proso millet cultivars were performed under salt stress and subsequent re-watering. Phenotypic and physiological analyses suggested that the accumulation of biomass and growth rate of STIM were not only higher after stress recovery than SSR but also higher than its control condition (STIM_CK), showing a compensation effect. A microstructural analysis indicated that STIM maintained a better surface structure, internal structure, and chloroplasts after stress recovery compared with its reactions under salt stress. A phytohormone analysis showed that the jasmonic acid (JA) and jasmyl-L-isoleucine (JA-Ile) contents specifically and significantly increased in STIM under salt stress and recovered with re-watering. Transcriptome analysis suggested that 3160 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (1671 DEGs were downregulated, and 1589 DEGs were upregulated) and 1319 DEGs (565 DEGs were downregulated, and 751 DEGs were upregulated) were specifically identified in STIM under salt stress and re-watering, respectively, whereas 6184 DEGs (2666 DEGs were downregulated, and 3518 DEGs were upregulated) and 2721 DEGs (1175 DEGs were downregulated, and 1546 DEGs were upregulated) were detected in SSR. Proteomes analyses showed that up to 38.28% and 44.68% of proteins were individually expressed specifically at the protein level in SSR under salt stress and subsequent re-watering, respectively, and 43.56% and 39.31% in STIM, respectively, indicating the involvement of posttranscriptional regulation under salt stress and subsequent re-watering. Subsequently, the functions of commonly regulated DEGs and differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were analyzed, which were significantly enriched in photosynthesis and porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism pathways. Therefore, this study provides guidelines for phytoremediation and utilization of saline soils, and cleaner crop production.

Studying agronomic characters in new millet accessions from the VIR collection at Yekaterinino Experiment Station of VIR

Background. Adding new plant varieties to the VIR collection is an important effort to preserve the diversity of worldwide bioresources. The millet collection at VIR is formed through the study of acquired accessions, aimed at identification of biological features that have emerged under certain conditions. Such germplasm may be recommended for use in breeding practice. Studying new accessions makes it possible to predict long-term development of the collection.Materials and methods. The study was carried out at Yekaterinino Experiment Station of VIR, Tambov Province, in 2017–2019. New millet accessions added to the VIR collection served as the research material. The study was based on the descriptors and guidelines for Panicum miliaceum L. developed at VIR.Results and conclusions. An assessment was made for such agronomic characters as the growing season, plant height, grain size, grain yield, and resistance to bacteria. The identified accessions exceeded the reference (cv. ‘Gorlinka’) in a number of traits. Earliness was observed in k-10479 (‘Dozh’), k-10481 (‘Zapadnoye’), k-10324, k-10325, k-10478 (‘Nizhnevolzhskoye’), k-10275 (‘Kvartet’), k-10306 (‘Volga 59’), k-10322 (‘Soyuz’), k-10473 (‘Yarkoye 120’), and k-10474 (‘Kavkazskiye zori’). Low plant height was recorded for k-888, k-10324, k-10306, k-10474, k-10479, k-10326, k-10481, and k-10480 (‘Kamyshenskoye’). Large grain size was shown by k-888, k-10325, k-10306, k-10324, k-10479, k-10475 (local), k-10322, k-10473, k-10480, and k-10481. High grain yields under the conditions of the Central Black Earth Region of Russia were demonstrated by the accessions from Belarus (cv. ‘Zapadnoye’, k-10481) and from Chelyabinsk Province (local cultivar, k-888). Medium and strong resistance to bacterial pathogens was observed in k-888, k-10275, k-10473, k-10474, k-10324, and k-10325. The selected accessions can serve as source material for the development of new millet cultivars.

Molecular marker for characterization of traditional and hybrid derivatives of Eleusine coracana (L.) using ISSR marker

BackgroundFinger millet is the most important food grain in the world for its nutritional benefits. Finger millet is genetically and geographically diverse and widely spread in the African and Asian sub-continent. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to analyze the genetic diversity using ISSR genetic markers using 15 ISSR primers. ResultsAbout 23 genotypes of widely cultivated finger millet cultivars of economically important ones were characterized and the ISSR markers were critically analyzed for their performance with parameters such as polymorphic information content (PIC), effective multiplex ratio (EMR), marker index (MI), and resolving power (RP). In this study, 175 loci were scored across the 23 cultivars of finger millet, and out of these 173 loci (98%) were polymorphic, revealing the suitability of these loci for genetic diversity analysis with ISSR marker. The average number of polymorphic loci per primer was 11.50 with varying sizes from 100 bp to 2500 bp. ISSR primers that showed higher polymorphism were found to have higher EMR and MI values up to 15.30 and 13.44, respectively. ConclusionHigh degree of polymorphism supported with distinct differences of all the marker parameters revealed the suitability of ISSR markers for determining the genotypic differences based on ISSR markers among the 23 genotypes of finger millet. The possible application of the ISSR marker in the conservation and management of finger millet genetic resources is discussed.

Fodder biomass, nutritive value, and grain yield of dual‐purpose improved cereal crops in Burkina Faso

AbstractIn Burkina Faso, availability of quality feed is the major constraint on livestock productivity. Adoption of improved cereal cultivars among farmers could enhance fodder supply. This study assessed the potential for improved cereal cultivars to provide food and feed. The study sites were located in the Köppen climate Zone B (Katchari and Saria) and Köppen climate Zone A (Farakoba) in Burkina Faso (Beck et al., 2018). Five cultivars of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.], nine cultivars of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], and four cultivars of maize (Zea mays L.) were grown during two rainy seasons. Grain yield and forage biomass were assessed, and samples analyzed for nutritive value using near infrared spectrometry (NIRS). For pearl millet, MISARI‐1 produced greatest grain yield (1.7, 2.2, and 2.6 Mg DM ha–1, for Katchari (Zone B), Saria (Zone B), and Farakoba (Zone A), respectively) and its fodder biomass averaged 4.0 Mg DM ha–1 across sites. For sorghum, Sariasso‐14, Sariasso‐16, and ICSV1049, produced the greatest grain yield in Saria (Zone B) (1.2–1.6 Mg DM ha–1) and Farakoba (Zone A) (1.1–1.9 Mg DM ha–1). Sorghum cultivars SF15, M67‐M2, and Ponta negra produced more than 5.0 Mg DM ha–1 of fodder across locations. Maize cultivars only differed in fodder biomass, with cultivar Wari producing 4.3 Mg DM ha–1 in Farakoba. The stover of the three species had high fiber, low digestibility, and crude protein concentration ranged from 40 to 94 g kg–1. Fodders from dual‐purpose cereals are valuable feed resources for crop–livestock systems in the Sahel region. Adoption of improved food–feed cultivars has potential to increase fodder productivity and feed quality for livestock, enhancing livelihood of small‐holder farmers in Burkina Faso.