Millet Cultivars Research Articles

Comparison of the Nutritional and Gelatinization Properties of a Waxy and Non-Waxy Foxtail Millet Cultivar Grown in Korea

Comparison of the Nutritional and Gelatinization Properties of a Waxy and Non-Waxy Foxtail Millet Cultivar Grown in Korea

Beef Production on Rotationally Grazed F1 Pennisetum Hybrid and Elephant Grass (Pennisetum Purpureum Schum.) Pastures

COMPARATIVE studies of elephant and the F1 hybrids between the ‘maiwa’ Cultivar of millet (Pennisetum americanum) elephant grass (P. purpureum) indicated a superiority in quality of the hybrids. To ascertain this potential superiority animal performance was measured by exciting beef production on F1 Pennisetum hybrid and elephant grass pastures consisting of random mixture of genotype which were grazed from July 28 to December 6. 1972 (132 days) by 18 to 24 months old White Falani (Bunaji) Zebu heifers. Each pasture was divided into Six 0.07- ha paddocks which were grazed in rotation by two heifers for 5 to 7 days with intervening rest periods of 30 to 35 days. Total liveweight gains per hectare, of animals grazing F1 Pennisetum hybrid and elephant grass pastures were 246.71 and 171.77kg respectively. Mean daily liveweight gain per 100 Kg body weight of animals on the F1 Pennisetum hybrid nature was 0.18 kg which was significantly higher than the 0.13 kg of animals grazing elephant grass. Dry matter (DM) utilisation and average daily intake of the F1 hybrids and elephant grass were respectively, 46 and 35% and 2.2 an 2.0% of body weight while 11.71 kg and 15.85 kg of F1 Pennisetum hybrids and elephant grass, respectively, were consumed per kg of liveweight gain. The superior performance of animals grazing F1 hybrid Pennisetum, was attributed to the higher intake and more efficient conversion of the hybrids. Stand mortality of F1 Pennisetum hybrids and elephant grass at the end of the study were 25 and 15%, respectively. Greater animal output can be expected from F1 Pennisetum hybrids selected for improved DM production quality and plant persistence.

谷子对干旱胁迫的生理生态响应

干旱少雨严重限制了我国西北地区谷子的产量，为明确谷子响应干旱的生理特征，以干旱敏感谷子品种安04和不敏感品种豫谷1号以及xiaomi为材料，通过盆栽试验，研究了谷子不同生育期叶片光合参数、叶绿素含量、非结构性碳、β-淀粉酶基因表达对水分亏缺的响应。结果表明，正常水分条件下安04产量高于豫谷1号，干旱胁迫严重限制了两个谷子品种的产量形成，安04和豫谷1号分别减产71.2%和56.0%，豫谷1号产量显著高于安04。正常水分条件下，安04具有比豫谷1号更高的净光合速率（P<0.05），干旱胁迫下，豫谷1号叶片净光合速率显著高于安04；叶片蒸腾速率结果同光合结果一致。干旱条件下，豫谷1号具有更高的叶片相对含水量。干旱胁迫显著降低了两个谷子品种花期的叶绿素a、叶绿素b及总叶绿素含量，且安04降低幅度均大于豫谷1号。干旱胁迫均显著增加了豫谷1号拔节期和开花期的叶片可溶性糖含量，而安04叶片可溶性糖含量并没有发生显著性变化，同时干旱胁迫显著增加了豫谷1号β-淀粉酶基因SiBAM1的表达水平。施用β-淀粉酶活性抑制剂α-环糊精，xiaomi叶片可溶性糖及脯氨酸含量显著降低，进一步加重了干旱对xiaomi的生长抑制。综上所述，干旱胁迫诱导谷子β-淀粉酶基因表达和β-淀粉酶活性升高从而水解淀粉形成可溶性糖，高可溶性糖含量对谷子提高抗旱性起重要作用。;Foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.) is an important commercial crop in north China, especially northwest China. However, the uneven distribution of precipitation induce severe seasonal drought and drought seriously limits the yield production of foxtail millet. To clarify physiological characteristics of different genotypes of foxtail millet cultivars in response to drought stress, drought resistance cultivar (Yugu 1) and drought sensitive cultivar (An 04) and xiaomi were selected as materials to detect and compare the photosynthetic parameters, chlorophyll content, non-structure carbohydrate, gene expression of beta-amylase (SiBAM1) at one or three growth periods (jointing, anthesis and ten days after anthesis stage) through a pot experiment carried out in the rainproof shed. Results showed that under normal soil water condition, the An 04 held higher grain yield than Yugu1 cultivar. Drought stress severely restricted the yield formation of two cultivars. while the yield of An 04 was reduced by 71.2%, and that of Yugu 1 was reduced by 56.0%. And Yugu1 cultivar had higher grain yield that An 04 under drought condition. Under normal soil water conditions, An 04 had a higher net photosynthetic rate than Yugu 1 (P<0.05). while under drought stress, the leaf net photosynthetic rate of Yugu 1 was significantly higher than that of An 04 at these three detected growth stages. Leaf transpiration rate was consistent with that of leaf photosynthetic rate. However, the Yugu1 held higher leaf relative water content than An 04 under drought condition. Drought stress significantly reduced the chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll contents of the two cultivars, while the decrease range of An 04 was greater than that of Yugu 1 especially at anthesis stage. Drought stress significantly increased the soluble sugar content in Yugu 1 leaves at the stage of jointing and anthesis stage, while there was no significant change in the soluble sugar content in the leaves of An 04. Drought stress significantly increased the expression level of SiBAM1 in Yugu 1 gene. Application of α-cyclodextrin, an inhibitor of β-amylase activity, further increased the inhibition of drought on the growth of millet xiaomi, and the contents of leaf soluble sugar and proline decreased significantly compared with none α-cyclodextrin application. In summary, drought stress induced the increase of β-amylase gene expression and β-amylase activity in foxtail millet, which could take part in hydrolyzing starch into soluble sugar, and the increased soluble sugar played an important role in improving drought resistance of foxtail millet.

Use of wild Pennisetum species for improving biotic and abiotic stress tolerance in pearl millet

AbstractPearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] is one of the world's hardiest warm‐season cereal crop cultivated for food and animal feed in the semi‐arid tropics of Asia and Africa. This crop faces terminal drought during rainy and flowering‐stage heat stress during summer seasons. Blast is emerging as a serious threat affecting its production and productivity in India. Using wild P. violaceum (Lam) Rich. and pearl millet cultivars, prebreeding populations were developed following backcross method. These populations were evaluated in target ecologies in India at three locations during the 2018 summer season for flowering‐stage heat stress and at two locations during the 2018 rainy season for terminal drought stress. A total 18 introgression lines (ILs) from Population (Pop) 3 exhibited improved seed set under high heat stress vs. the cultivated parent, whereas no IL was better than the cultivated parent in Pop 4. Under rainfed conditions at Hisar and Bawal, India, 19 ILs from Pop 3 and 16 ILs from Pop 4 showed significantly higher dry fodder yield than the cultivated parents. Further, screening of ILs for five diverse pathotype isolates—Pg 45, Pg 138, Pg 186, Pg 204, and Pg 232—of blast resulted in the identification of resistant ILs. Use of these promising ILs in breeding programs will assist in developing new varieties and hybrids with improved tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. The study indicated the genetic differences between the parents involved in crossing and also highlighted the importance of precise phenotyping of wild species for target trait prior to use in prebreeding work.

Identification of QTL for resistance to leaf blast in foxtail millet by genome re-sequencing analysis.

Three QTL for resistance to leaf blast were identified on chromosomes 1, 2, and 8 of the foxtail millet cultivar Yugu 5. Leaf blast disease of foxtail millet (Setaria italica) is caused by Pyricularia spp., can infect all the aboveground parts of plants, and is the most frequently observed blast disease in China. Lack of information on genetic control of disease resistance impedes developing leaf blast-resistant cultivars. An F6 recombinant inbred line (RIL) population from the cross Yugu 5 × Jigu 31 was phenotyped for its reactions to leaf blast in six field trials in the naturally diseased nurseries. An ultra-density genetic linkage map was constructed using 35,065 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers generated by sequencing of the RIL population. Three QTL, QLB-czas1, QLB-czas2, and QLB-cazas8, were detected in the genomic intervals of 276.6kb, 1.62Mb, and 1.75Mb on chromosomes 1, 2, and 8 of Yugu 5, which explained 14-17% (2 environments), 9% (5 environments), and 12-20% (6 environments) of the phenotypic variations. Bulked segregant analysis (BSA) and RNA sequencing (BSR-Seq) method identified common SNPs that fell in the genomic region of QLB-czas8, providing additional evidence of localization of this QTL. Three and 19 predicted genes were annotated to be associated with disease resistance in the genomic intervals for QLB-czas2 and QLB-czas8. Due to their unique positions, these QTL appear to be new loci conferring resistance to leaf blast. The identification of these new resistance QTL will be useful in cultivar development and the study of the genetic control of blast resistance in foxtail millet.

Effect of malting and fermentation on colour, thermal properties, functional groups and crystallinity level of flours from pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)

The effect of malting and fermentation on colour, thermal properties, level of crystallinity and functional groups of Agrigreen, Babala pearl millet cultivars and sorghum flours were studied using response surface methodology. The central composite rotatable design was performed on two independent variables in terms of malting and fermentation time at intervals of 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively using design expert software. One-way analysis of variance at p < 0.05, regression analysis, response surface plots for interactions between malting and fermentation processing times with response variables were recorded. The results indicated that malting and fermentation times have significant effects on the thermal and colour properties as well as the level of crystallinity and functional groups of pearl millet cultivars and sorghum flours. In terms of colour, sorghum exhibited high content in L∗ at 72.02–73.72, a∗ ranged from 2.50-3.30 and chrome at 13.10–14.82, while Babala flour was high in b∗ and hue at 12.15–14.27 and 73.00–84.80, respectively. In terms of thermal properties, sorghum was noticed to be high in melting peak at 87.57–104.83 °C, 102.66–111.14 °C for end completion and gelatinisation range at 10.70–25.79 °C, whereas, Babala recorded high values in onset and enthalpy at 93.20–100.11 and 5.72–21.62 J/g, respectively. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy showed that malted and fermented Agrigreen, Babala and sorghum flour showed peaks in OH, carbonyl, amide and C–O bonding. The optimal processing time for the colour of Agrigreen was 50.69 h (malting) and 39.38 h (fermentation), Babala was 54.40 h (malting) and 65.30 h (fermentation); and sorghum was 49.90 h (malting) and 54.61 h (fermentation). While the optimal malting and fermentation time for thermal properties for Agrigreen was 45.78 h and 42.60 h; Babala was 40.94 h and 29.07 h and sorghum was 34.83 h and 36.33 h, respectively with product quality at the desirability of 1.00. X-ray diffractogram results of the optimum processing points of the thermal properties showed that malted and fermented Agrigreen, Babala and sorghum flour showed high peak intensities, while the unprocessed flour exhibited diffused peaks. The obtained results would assist food processing companies to improve the colour and thermal properties and also the behaviour of the crystallinity and functional groups in food during processing.

Effect of pepsin and SO2 treatments on the yield, physicochemical, morphological, and functional properties of pearl millet starch

Influence of enzymatic and SO2 treatments on the yield, physicochemical, functional, morphological, and colour properties of starches isolated from pearl millet (Ashana and Demby cultivars) was studied. The treatment conditions were; control (steeping for 24 h with 0.2% SO2), B (steeping for 7 h with 3 h in distilled water and 4 h in 0.1 M sodium acetate buffer pH, 4.5), S (steeping for 7 h with 3 h in distilled water and 4 h in 0.2% SO2), BE (steeping for 7 h with 3 h in distilled water and 4 h in 0.1 M sodium acetate buffer pH (4–4.5) + 250 mg pepsin) and BES (steeping for 7 h with 3 h in distilled water and 4 h in 0.1 M sodium acetate buffer pH, 4.5, + 250 mg pepsin + 0.2% SO2). The result showed that starch yield from the treatment BE, BES and S was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher than that of B and control treatments in both cultivars. From the micrographs studies, the hydrolytic effect of pepsin on protein matrix attached to the starch could be observed as holes created on the surface of starch granules. All treatments significantly (p ≤ 0.05) affected the amylose content and pH value of both starches, while the falling number and acidity were not affected (p ≥ 0.05) by these treatments compared to controls. Water absorption capacity and fat absorption capacity reduced significantly in all treated starches from the two pearl millet cultivars, while viscosity increased following treatments in both cultivars except treatment S (p ≤ 0.01). In conclusion, functional properties and yield of starch from both millet cultivars were improved by using a combination of enzyme and SO2 during wet milling process.

Elucidation of genetic relatedness of Magnaporthe grisea, an incitent of pearl millet blast disease by molecular markers associated with virulence of host differential cultivars

In recent years, blast disease caused by Magnaporthe grisea, an ascomycete fungus is becoming a serious threat to pearl millet crop in India and worldwide. Due to the increase in virulent races of pathogen, blast disease management strategies seemed to be very limited. Hence, unraveling the occurrence of blast isolates across India and understanding their virulence and genetic relatedness using molecular markers are the key objectives of this study. From Farmer's field survey we have evidenced variability in blast pathogen across India by recording 10.6 to 7.9 disease severities. A fair to good variation in cultural and conidial characters were also noticed for 17 field isolates. The identity of 17 isolates was confirmed as Magnaporthe grisea by internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Based on 12 host differential virulence reactions, five isolates BgKMg1, BdmMg2, MtgMg11, JprMg16 and JmnMg17 recorded highly susceptible (>5 grade) to nine differentials used in the study. While, host differentials ICMB95444, ICMR06222, ICMR11003, IP21187 and ICMV155 found effective for screening virulence of blast disease. Furthermore, genetic relatedness assessed by ITS, inter simple sequence repeats (ISSR) and simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers produced high degree of polymorphism and was able to distinguish the virulence pattern of 17 isolates that correlated with phenotypic screening. Among markers, clustering of isolates within groups was significantly different with remarkable genetic similarity coefficient and bootstrap values. Overall, these results confirm a significant morphological and genetic variation among 17 isolates, thereby helping to elucidate the virulence of pearl millet blast populations in India that could avoid breakdown of resistance and assist breeding improved pearl millet cultivars.

Salt‐tolerant broomcorn millet ( Panicum miliaceum L.) resists salt stress via modulation of cell wall biosynthesis and Na + balance

Soil salinization threatens sustainable agricultural production and ecological balance in many parts of the world. Therefore, to breed plants with salt tolerance and discover the resistance genes are essential for enhancing salt tolerance adaptation. We studied phenotypic, physiological characteristics, and digital RNA sequencing of two broomcorn millet cultivars (salt tolerant cultivar, ST 47; salt sensitive cultivar, SS 212), stressed by 1% NaCl (w/w; ~170 mM) for 0, 12 hr, 1, 3, 7 days and subsequent re-watering 7 days (RW 7 days). By comparative phenotype and physiology analysis we suggest ST 47 showed greater salt tolerance and faster recovery after re-watering than SS 212, and lower Na+ contents and higher K+/Na+ ratio. Digital RNA sequencing analysis suggested 6,878 and 1,940 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected in ST 47 at 12 hr (vs. 0 hr) and RW 7 days (vs. 0 hr), respectively, whereas 7,246 and 5,375 DEGs were identified in SS 212. DEG functional enrichments suggested ST 47 exhibited better regulation of phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, carbon metabolism, and auxin and gibberellin signal transduction in response to salt stress via enhancing the cell wall biosynthesis. Furthermore, ionic stress signaling analysis proposed ST 47 better regulation of Na+ distribution in response to salt stress. These results provide valuable information for improving salinity tolerance in plants and studying the function of candidate genes governing salt tolerance in broomcorn millet.

African and Asian origin pearl millet populations: Genetic diversity pattern and its association with yield heterosis

AbstractPearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum(L.) R. Br.] is a staple food crop of arid and semi‐arid regions of Asia and Africa. Forty‐five pearl millet populations of Asian and African origin were assessed for genetic diversity using 29 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. The SSR‐based clustering and structure analyses showed that Asian origin–Asian bred (As‐As) and African origin–African bred (Af‐Af) populations were distributed across seven clusters, indicating no strong relationship among populations with their geographical origin. Most of the African origin–Asian bred (Af‐As) populations had a higher average number of alleles per locus than As‐As or Af‐Af populations, and the majority of them clustered separately from As‐As or Af‐Af populations, indicating that introgression of African origin breeding materials led to the development of new gene pools adapted to the Asian region. Fourteen populations representing seven clusters were crossed according to a diallel mating design to generate 91 population hybrids (seeds of direct and reciprocal crosses were mixed) and evaluated at three locations in 2016. All the 91 hybrids when partitioned into three groups based on genetic distance (GD) between parental combinations (low, moderate, and high), revealed no correlation between GD and panmictic midparent heterosis in any of the groups, indicating that grain yield heterosis cannot be predicted based on GD. Two population hybrids (GB 8735 × ICMP 87307 and Sudan I × Ugandi) exhibited high levels of yield heterosis over standard checks and can be further utilized using different breeding schemes to develop high‐yielding pearl millet cultivars.

Integrative analyses of transcriptomics and metabolomics upon seed germination of foxtail millet in response to salinity

Salinity stress has become an expanding threat to food security worldwide. Revealing the mechanisms of salinity tolerance in plants has immense significance. Foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.) has been regarded as a model crop for exploring mechanisms under stress, considering its extreme adaptation abilities to adverse ecologies. In present study, two foxtail millet cultivars of Yugu2 and An04 with contrasting salt tolerance properties were investigated through integrative analyses of transcriptomics and metabolomics. In the transcriptomics results, 8887 and 12,249 DEGs were identified in Yugu2 and An04 in response to salinity, respectively, and 3149 of which were overlapped between two varieties. These salinity-responsive genes indicated that ion transport, redox homeostasis, phytohormone metabolism, signaling and secondary metabolism were enriched in Yugu2 by GO and KEGG analyses. The integrative omics analysis implied that phenylpropanoid, flavonoid and lignin biosynthesis pathways, and lysophospholipids were vital in determining the foxtail millet salinity tolerance. Importantly, the tolerance of Yugu2 attributed to higher efficiencies of ion channel and antioxidant system. All these provide a comprehensive regulatory network of foxtail millet to cope with salinity, and shed some lights on salt tolerance which is relevant for other cereal crops.

Proximate Composition of Minor Millets from Cold Semi-Arid Regions

The nutritional importance of minor millets growing in geographically and environmentally isolated semi-arid regions remains largely unexplored, which has led to it being underutilized for diet diversification. In this study, the proximate composition of three species of minor millets, namely, Barnyard millet (Echinochloa frumentacea),Finger millet (Eleusine coracana) and Foxtail millet(Setaria italica), grown in traditional millet cultivating regions (cold semi-arid) of the Himalayan range, have been analyzed. Two high altitude locations of contrasting cold temperatures in this region were selected for analysis. Dehradun which exhibits a temperature of 25-27℃, is located at 640 masl. (Meters Above Sea Level) in Uttarakhand West (UW), whereas, the second location, Pithoragarh which exhibits a temperature of 15-17℃ is located at 1514 masl. in Uttarakhand East (UE). The results of this study record a 30.75 percent increase in average protein content of Barnyard millet grains when the same seed stock was grown at the second region of lower temperature, i.e. Pithoragarh (15-17℃), as compared to Dehradun (15-17℃). A 42.66 percent increase in average fat content was also recorded for Barnyard millet grains when grown at Pithoragarh (15-17℃). The two other millet species, Finger millet and Foxtail millet, did not record significant differences in protein and fat contents, however, Foxtail millet displayed marginally increased levels of sodium and potassium. In contrast to the other components analyzed, Total Dietary Fiber (TDF) was found to decrease with growth at the comparatively colder location of Pithoragarh. A 36.71 percent decrease in TDF content was recorded for Barnyard millet, whereas, a 19.25 percent decrease was recorded for Finger millet. Foxtail millet displayed a marginal decrease of only 5.3 percent in TDF content with growth at Pithoragarh. Starch concentration and moisture content for all three species was also studied, but did not record any notable differences due to growth at the colder location of Pithoragarh. The results here indicate an important role of cold temperature and high altitude in regulating the proximate composition of minor millet grains. Studies which explore the proximate composition of millet cultivars in such geographically and environmentally distinct millet growing regions, may reveal new information regarding the nutritional importance of minor millets, and the ideal conditions of growth for maximum nutritional benefit.

Evaluation of warm season annual forages for forage yield and quality in the north-central United States.

Grazing-based dairy operations require productive, high-quality forages capable of supporting the nutritional needs of mid-lactation dairy cows. Our objectives were to evaluate primary and regrowth harvests of two cultivars of sudangrass (SU), sorghum-sudangrass (S×SU), and pearl millet (PM) forages for growth and nutritive characteristics within the specific context of suitability for grazing by dairy cows. Three harvest cycles, including primary and regrowth cycles in 2016, and a single harvest cycle of primary growth in 2017, were evaluated at two locations (Prairie du Sac and Marshfield, WI). Within each cycle, sampling was initiated when canopy height was about 41 cm and continued thereafter on weekly intervals for 5 weeks, resulting in six equally spaced sampling dates per harvest cycle. Data were analyzed as a split-plot design with cultivars (6) as whole-plots arranged in randomized complete blocks and weekly harvest dates (6) as subplots. Yields of dry matter (DM) were less consistent at the more northern location (Marshfield), which is known for its heavier, poorly drained soils. Despite locational differences, the taller-growing cultivar within each forage type frequently exhibited yield advantages over dwarf or shorter-growing cultivars; this occurred for 7 of 9 intra-forage-type comparisons (P ≤ 0.021) across three harvest cycles at Prairie du Sac, and for 6 of 9 similar comparisons (P ≤ 0.032) at Marshfield. In 2016, shorter-growing cultivars had greater percentages of leaf in 4 of 6 intra-forage-type comparisons at both locations (P ≤ 0.004), which is especially relevant for grazing. Similarly, PM cultivars exhibited shorter canopy heights (P ≤ 0.002), but greater percentages of leaf (P < 0.001), than all other cultivars during all harvest cycles at both locations. However, the greater leaf percentages exhibited by PM cultivars did not translate into reduced percentages of structural plant fiber (asNDFom) on a whole-plant basis during any harvest cycle at either location; furthermore, asNDFom concentrations for PM cultivars were greater (P ≤ 0.047) than observed for other cultivars within 3 of 6 harvest cycles across both locations. Ruminal in-situ degradation of asNDFom for whole-plant forages based on a 48-h incubation was significantly greater (P ≤ 0.006) for PM compared with other cultivars in 4 of 6 harvest cycles. Pearl millet cultivars generally exhibited more suitable characteristics for grazing livestock than SU or S×SU cultivars.

Physico‐chemical characterization and utilization of finger millet ( Eleusine coracana L.) cultivars for the preparation of biscuits

Finger millet being underutilized but highly nutritious millet was explored for nutritional characteristics. Twelve cultivars of finger millet were found to be a potential source of proteins (7.19%–12.56%), crude fibers (3.17%–5.83%), crude fat (1.07%–1.87%), and ash or mineral content (2.81%–3.61%) as well as a rich source of minerals such as Cu (0.61–1.62 mg/100 g), Mn (4.01–7.44 mg/100 g), Fe (3.97–8.04 mg/100 g), Zn (2.08–4.50 mg/100 g), and Ca (318–659 mg/100 g). Cultivars were screened out for the highest content of calcium and the cultivar GPHCPB-149 richest in calcium (659 mg/100 g) was utilized for supplementation in biscuits at different proportions, that is, 0, 25, 50, and 75%. A significant (p ≤ .05) increase in the calcium and crude fiber contents was reported with increased incorporation of finger millet in biscuits. Sensory evaluation studies concluded that finger millet flour was successfully incorporated up to 50% in wheat flour for the preparation of biscuits. Practical applications The study showed that finger millet is a rich source of nutrients and has great potential to be utilized for the development of functional bakery products. It can be successfully incorporated up to 50% with wheat flour for the preparation of functional bakery products. Finger millet incorporated biscuits were found to contain higher levels of crude fiber, calcium, iron, and zinc contents than control biscuits and may offer the inherent health benefits of finger millet to the consumers by alleviating the deficiency of calcium and prevention of other lifestyle diseases.

Effect of deficit irrigation on physiology and forage yield of forage sorghum, pearl millet, and corn

AbstractThe declining Ogallala aquifer in the Texas High Plains may no longer meet the irrigation requirement to produce high water‐demanding forage crops like silage corn (Zea mays L.) to support a large number of beef and dairy enterprises. Forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) can be viable alternatives to silage corn due to their relative drought tolerance than silage corn. A field experiment was conducted at New Deal, TX to assess and compare the physiology, forage yield, and nutrient composition of the brown midrib (BMR) forage sorghum, BMR pearl millet, and corn under deficit irrigation in 2018 and 2019. The experiment was conducted in a split‐plot design with three irrigation levels (I0 [50 mm], I1 [200 mm], and I2 [350 mm]) as main‐plot and five cultivars (P1498AM [corn], AF7401 and Silo700D [BMR sorghum], and Epic and Exceed [BMR pearl millet]) as sub‐plot with four replications. The higher leaf water potential (LWP), stomatal conductance, and leaf area index resulted in greater biomass assimilation in I2 compared to I1 and I0 irrigation treatments in both years. Sorghum and pearl millet cultivars showed lower water status through lower LWP and canopy‐air temperature difference compared to corn cultivar. However, sorghum cultivars yielded greater fresh biomass than pearl millet and corn in both years. Lower lignin concentration and higher digestible energy were observed in corn, followed by pearl millet and sorghum. These results suggest that under water‐stress conditions BMR sorghum can produce higher forage yield with acceptable nutritive value.

Diversity and stability studies in barnyard millet (Echinochloa frumentacea (Roxb).Link.) germplasm for grain yield and its contributing traits

Nutritionally, Barnyard millet is an important crop, it is probably originated in central Asia and spread from central Asia to Europe and America. Climate change will alert an extra constrains as many parts of the country are becoming drier with increasingly severe weather patterns. Developing better barnyard millet cultivars is always placing as an important strategy in crop improvement. This study was focused to evaluate the phenotypic diversity and stability of barnyard millet germplasm for yield and its attributing traits. Diversity as revealed by D2 analysis indicated that the trait grain yield had contributed maximum towards the diversity followed by days to maturity. The accessions M5P1, M36P1 and M37P1 exhibited the highest mean values for grain yield per plant, but no significance difference was found comparing checks. Stability analysis revealed that none of the accessions were showed stable performance, indicated that influence of environmental factors played a major role.

An investigation into the beneficial effects and molecular mechanisms of humic acid on foxtail millet under drought conditions.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of humic acid (HA) on foxtail millet (Setaria italica Beauv.) under drought conditions. The rainless climate of the Shanxi Province (37°42'N, 112°58'E) in China provides a natural simulation of drought conditions. Two foxtail millet cultivars, Jingu21 and Zhangza10, were cultivated in Shanxi for two consecutive years (2017–2018) based on a split-plot design. Plant growth, grain quality, and mineral elements were analyzed in foxtail millet treated with HA (50, 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg L-1) and those treated with clear water. Transcriptome sequencing followed by bioinformatics analysis was performed on plants in the normal control (CK), drought treatment (D), and drought + HA treatment (DHA) groups. Results were verified using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). HA at a concentration of 100–200 mg L-1 caused a significant increase in the yield of foxtail millet and had a positive effect on dry weight and root-shoot ratio. HA also significantly increased P, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Mg content in grains. Moreover, a total of 1098 and 409 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in group D vs. CK and D vs. DHA, respectively. A protein-protein interaction network and two modules were constructed based on DEGs (such as SETIT_016654mg) between groups D and DHA. These DEGs were mainly enriched in the metabolic pathway. In conclusion, HA (100 mg L-1) was found to promote the growth of foxtail millet under drought conditions. Furthermore, SETIT_016654mg may play a role in the effect of HA on foxtail millet via control of the metabolic pathway. This study lays the foundation for research into the molecular mechanisms that underlie the alleviating effects of HA on foxtail millet under drought conditions.

Amino Acid Profiles and Compositions of Different Cultivars of Panicum miliaceum L.

Amino acids are valuable nutrients, responsible for a variety of tasks in the human body. A favourable amino acid profile in gluten-free crops, such as millet, can thus be beneficial for human health, which is why 35 proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) samples, comprising 23 whole and 12 dehulled, were investigated regarding their amino acid profiles and compositions using acidic hydrolysis and ion-exchange chromatography with ninhydrin derivatization and subsequent detection with photometry. Results for amino acid compositions were compared with gluten-containing wheat and other gluten-free cereals. Furthermore, gained values were put in contrast to estimated essential amino acid requirements for adult humans. The study was able to show that cultivars of proso millet differ and that dehulling does not significantly influence the amino acid compositions. Furthermore, the results display that Panicum miliaceum L. holds more essential amino acids than other gluten-free grains and exhibits high amounts of leucine and alanine. The methionine content differs greatly between samples, which means that choosing certain cultivars is important to ensure a high content. The most abundant amino acids in proso millet grains are glutamic acid/glutamine (2.13 ± 0.34 g per 100 g), alanine (1.06 ± 0.18 g per 100 g) and leucine (1.36 ± 0.24 g per 100 g).Graphic abstract

Performance, agronomic traits, ensilability and nutritive value of pearl millet cultivar harvested at different growth stages

AbstractPearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.) is an important crop for rainfed production systems and can play a significant role as a feed source for ruminants owing to its high yield and drought tolerance. It is well-established that the maturity stage can influence the chemical composition as well as the nutritional value of crops traditionally used for silage production, although quantitative evidence that this occurs with pearl millet under rainfed conditions is lacking. The current research assessed the agronomic characteristics, ensilability, intake and digestibility of a Brazilian pearl millet cultivar (IPA BULK1-BF) harvested at four different growth stages. Forage was harvested at 35, 50, 65 and 80 days after sowing and ensiled under laboratory and farm conditions. Apparent digestibility of the silages was determined using 24 male lambs. The results showed that dry matter (DM) and panicle and stem proportions increased with the advancement maturity. The silage evaluations showed that DM, total and non-fibrous carbohydrates and lignin concentrations increased, while crude protein, ADF and in vitro DM digestibility decreased with the increase in plant maturity. Additionally, the fermentation characteristics were improved with the increasing maturity. The digestion study showed that intake of DM and N as well as digestibility of DM and fibre fractions decreased, while lignin intake increased. The results obtained for the production of dry and digestible DM, the ratio of plant fractions and fermentation parameters indicate the possibility of harvesting pearl millet forage after 50 days after sowing for silage production in the Brazilian semi-arid region.

Genetic Variability, Diversity and Interrelationship for Twelve Grain Minerals in 122 Commercial Pearl Millet Cultivars in India

Pearl millet contributes to the major source of dietary calories and essential micronutrients intake among rural populations in certain regions of India as its grains are more nutritious than other cereals. The aims of this investigation were to profile cultivar nutrition, diversity and interrelationship for grain minerals (Ca, K, Mg, Na, P, S, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Mo and Ni) among 122 pearl millet hybrids and open-pollinated varieties in India. Trials were evaluated in randomized complete block design with three replications at two locations (Patancheru and Mandor) representing two major cultivation zones. The grain minerals in cultivars exhibited two- to- four-fold variation. Positive and significant correlations were noted among different minerals. A higher magnitude of positive and significant association between Fe and Zn (r = 0.71, P < 0.01) and with other minerals suggested the existence of greater genetic potential for the concurrent improvement of Fe and Zn without lowering the other grain minerals in pearl millet. The first two principal components accounted for 49% of variation. Euclidian distance-based cluster analysis grouped the 122 cultivars into seven clusters. Cluster I had higher mean for Fe (56 mg kg−1) and Zn (49 mg kg−1), in which ICTP 8203, Ajeet 38, Sanjivani 222, PAC 903 and 86 M 86 were identified as rich sources of iron, zinc and calcium with considerable levels of other nutrients. About 65% of cultivars for iron and 100% of cultivars for zinc have met the minimum standards set forth by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. This indicates the feasibility of breeding nutrient-rich hybrids with competitive yields through mainstreaming in future.