Little Millet Research Articles

First report of Alternaria alternata causing leaf blight on little millet (Panicum sumatrense) in India.

Little millet (LM) is a minor cereal crop grown in the Indian sub-continent. During October 2018, dark brown, circular to oval necrotic spots surrounded by concentric rings were observed on the upper leaf surface of the LM (cv. VS-13) grown in the fields of the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru, India (13.0784oN, 77.5793oE). As the disease progressed, infected leaves became blighted. Disease incidence up to 53% was recorded in 3 fields of 0.4-hectare area each. Thirty symptomatic leaves were collected to isolate the associated causal organism. The margins of diseased tissue were cut into 5 × 5-mm pieces, surface-sterilized in 75% ethanol for 45 seconds followed by 1% sodium hypochlorite for 1 min, finally rinsed in sterile distilled water five times and placed on PDA. After 7 days of incubation at 25°C, greyish fungal colonies appeared on PDA. Single-spore isolations were performed to obtain ten isolates. Pure cultures of the fungus initially produced light gray aerial mycelia that later turned to dark grey. All isolates formed obclavate to pyriform conidia measured 22.66-48.97μm long and 6.55-13.79µm wide with 1-3 longitudinal and 2-7 transverse septa with a short beak (2.55-13.26µm) (n=50). Based on the conidial morphology, the fungus was identified as Alternaria sp. Further, the taxonomic identity of all ten isolates was confirmed as A. alternata using species-specific primers (AAF2/AAR3, Konstantinova et al. 2002) in a PCR assay. Later, one of the isolate UASB1 was selected, and its internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gapdh), major allergen Alt a 1 (Alt a 1), major endo-polygalacturonase (endoPG), OPA10-2, and KOG1058 genes were amplified in PCR (White et al. 1990; Berbee et al. 1999; Woudenberg et al. 2015), and the resultant products were sequenced and deposited in the NCBI GenBank (ITS, MN919390; gapdh, MT637185; Alt a 1, MT882339; endoPG, MT882340; OPA10-2, MT882341; KOG1058, MT882342). Blastn analysis of ITS, gapdh, Alt a 1, endoPG, OPA10-2, KOG1058 gene sequences showed 99.62% (with AF347031), 97.36% (with AY278808), 99.58% (with AY563301), 99.10% (with JQ811978), 99.05% (with KP124632) and 99.23% (with KP125233) respectively, identity with reference strain CBS916.96 of A. alternata, confirming UASB1 isolate to be A. alternata. For pathogenicity assay, conidial suspension of UASB1 isolate was spray inoculated to ten healthy LM (cv. VS-13) plants (45 days old) maintained under protected conditions. The spore suspension was sprayed until runoff on healthy leaves, and ten healthy plants sprayed with sterile water served as controls. Later, all inoculated and control plants were covered with transparent polyethylene bags and were maintained in a greenhouse at 28±2 ◦C and 90% RH. The pathogenicity test was repeated three times. After 8 days post-inoculation, inoculated plants showed leaf blight symptoms as observed in the field, whereas no disease symptoms were observed on non-inoculated plants. Re-isolations were performed from inoculated plants, and the re-isolated pathogen was confirmed as A. alternata based on morphological and PCR assay (Konstantinova et al. 2002). No pathogens were isolated from control plants. There is an increasing acreage of LM crop in India, and this first report indicates the need for further studies on leaf blight management and the disease impacts on crop yields.

Characterization of Little millet (Panicum sumatrense) varieties using Morphological descriptors and SSR based DNA fingerprinting

Little millet varieties are generally distinguished by morphological descriptors which are being used for seed certification and DUS characterization [1]. But in practical terms, these key differentiation descriptors between varieties of little millet are very fewer and hence difficult to differentiate germplasm accessions. Germplasm registration in NBPGR needs DNA fingerprint to show the uniqueness of germplasm in comparison to existing varieties. DNA fingerprinting is a better option to identify unique markers to differentiate the varieties. Available genomic resources are scarce since little millet is still considered to be an orphan crop. Therefore markers from other cereal genomes such as maize, pearl millet and barnyard millet that are been utilized for DNA fingerprinting purpose with a clue of cereal synteny relationship. Twenty-one morphological descriptors studies revealed that the variety ATL 1 is different from the other varieties for more than 16 morphological characters studied. DNA fingerprinting is attempted in five genotypes of little millets such as BL6, ATL 1, TNPsu 176, Co (Samai) 4, Paiyur 2 using cereal SSR markers. Among the 25 maize SSR markers used two markers viz., phi213984 and phi295450 scored polymorphism by the amplicon size of 310bp and 600bp respectively. From the 25 Pearl millet SSR markers used only one SSR marker found polymorphic at 305bp allele size for ATL 1 and Hence, SSR based DNA fingerprinting helped to differentiate ATL1, the newly released high yielding variety from other genotypes of little millets which can be used for varietal identification purpose.

Impact of NaCl on morphological, photosynthetic pigments and biochemical changes in Panicum sumatrense Roth ex-Roem and Schult

Impact of NaCl on morphological, photosynthetic pigments and biochemical changes in Panicum sumatrense Roth ex-Roem and Schult

Agronomic Management of Little Millet (Panicum sumatrense L.) for Enhancement of Productivity and Sustainability

During recent time small millets have been re-evaluated as nutri-cereals. The grains of small millets are used as nutritious food and straw as palatable forage for livestock. Moreover, these crops enrich agro-diversity, check erosion in arid regions, sequester carbon and assure food and nutritional security to smallholders in drylands. But productivity of small millets is less compared to other cereals. Like other small millets, little millet (Panicum sumatrens L.) is also rich in nutrients, possesses other qualities and as a short duration crop it fits to different cropping systems. Sufficient research work has not been carried out on agronomic management targeting higher productivity. An initiative has been taken to gather information from available literature on improved agronomic management of little millet and presented in the article. Further, the article highlighted the future scope of research on the crop.

Agronomic Management in Little Millet (Panicum sumatrense L.) for Enhancement of Productivity and Sustainability

Agronomic Management in Little Millet (Panicum sumatrense L.) for Enhancement of Productivity and Sustainability

Factors related water and dry matter during pre- and post- heading in four millet species under severe water deficit

ABSTRACTThe objectives of this study are to clarify the relative importance of sink and related factors of dry matter and water use pre-and post-heading in four millet species under severe water deficit. Panicum miliaceum, Panicum sumatrense, Setaria glauca., and S. italica were used. Water deficit (20% soil water content) was imposed from 25 d after sowing until harvest, with 40% soil water as a control. At the heading, half of the leaf area or all leaves on each plant were removed in both the control and the water deficit treatment (Source manipulation). Water deficit treatment markedly decreased the leaf water potential of all species from −2.02 MPa (S. italica) to −1.72MPa (P. miliaceum). The grain yields of water deficit treatment in S. italica, P. miliaceum, S. glauca and P. sumatrense decreased to 62, 48, 31, and 24% of the control, respectively. Four millet species were divided to dehydration-tolerant millet (S. italica and P. miliaceum) and dehydration-susceptible millet (S. glauca and P. sumatrense) by calculating drought susceptibility index. The interspecific difference in dehydration tolerance was accounted for by the number of grains per panicle and the harvest index. The source operation showed that the sink was more important than the source. In conclusion, under severe soil drying, it was considered that S. italica and P. miliaceum showed strong dehydration tolerance because they maintained the number of grains per panicle and did not reduce dry matter production and the partitioning of dry matter to the panicle after heading.Abbreviations: CLA0: all leaves were removed at heading in the control; CLA0.5: half of the leaf area per plant was removed at heading in the control; DAS: days after sowing; DLA0: all leaves were removed at heading in the dehydration treatment; DLA0.5: half of the leaf area was removed at heading in the dry treatment; DSI: drought susceptibility index; NSC: nonstructural carbohydrate; OA: osmotic adjustment; WUE: water use efficiency.

Studies on correlation and path analysis in little millet (Panicum sumatrense)

Studies on correlation and path analysis in little millet (Panicum sumatrense)

Genome-Wide Population Structure Analyses of Three Minor Millets: Kodo Millet, Little Millet, and Proso Millet.

Developed genome-wide SNP marker data for kodo, proso, and little millet Marker data used to analyze genetic diversity Heritability results of various traits used to validate genetic data Millets are a diverse group of small-seeded grains that are rich in nutrients but have received relatively little advanced plant breeding research. Millets are important to smallholder farmers in Africa and Asia because of their short growing season, good stress tolerance, and high nutritional content. To advance the study and use of these species, we present genome-wide marker datasets and population structure analyses for three minor millets: kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum L.), little millet (Panicum sumatrense Roth), and proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.).We generated genome-wide marker data sets for 190 accessions of each species with genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS). After filtering, we retained between 161 and 165 accessions of each species, with 3461, 2245, and 1882 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for kodo, little, and proso millet, respectively. Population genetic analysis revealed seven putative subpopulations of kodo millet and eight each of proso millet and little millet. To confirm the accuracy of this genetic data, we used public phenotype data on a subset of these accessions to estimate the heritability of various agronomically relevant phenotypes. Heritability values largely agree with the prior expectation for each phenotype, indicating that these SNPs provide an accurate genome-wide sample of genetic variation. These data represent one of first genome-wide population genetics analyses-and the most extensive-in these species and the first genomic analyses of any sort for little millet and kodo millet. These data will be a valuable resource for researchers and breeders trying to improve these crops for smallholder farmers.

Total replacement of fishmeal with indigenously available ingredients from plant sources for culturing Macrobrachium rosenbergii

An experiment was conducted for 90 days (from April to June 2018) in 6 tanks of size 5 × 5 ft. Five different experimental diets were formulated containing 60% of protein in a combination of soya bean meal and ground nut oil cake along with rice bran, Indian millet, sama (Panicum sumatrense) as carbohydrate ingredients, vitamins and minerals mixture, astaxanthin (in the form of dried powder and liquid extract of grass varieties), binder (wheat flour) and attractant (seaweed Ulva sp. powder). Prawn juveniles of PL30 were stocked in the 6 tanks in duplicate filled with natural water @ 4/m2 and feeding was done at the rate 40:60 twice a day. The results showed that prawns fed with diet 6 with 45% soya bean meal and 15% groundnut oil cake had highest SR and CI respectively followed by diets 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 (control). Two-way ANOVA analysis without replication computed for proximate composition of diets, water quality parameters and CI has proved significant difference at p < .05 which proved that the formulated diets have also been successful in maintaining the water quality of the culture tanks and has shown better growth of prawns. However, post-hoc analysis proved there is significant difference between chlorophyll a and survival rate % between ponds. Regression analysis of length and weight of prawns fed with different diets have also showed significant growth at 1% level of significance proving the replacement of fish meal with plant sources as effective ingredients for the growth of M. rosenbergii juveniles.

Hydration kinetics of little millet and proso millet grains: effect of soaking temperature.

Hydration characteristics of little millet (Panicum sumatrense) and proso millet (Panicum miliaceum) were studied at different soaking temperatures (30, 40, 50, 60 and 70°C) and fitted into hydration models. From the initial moisture contents of 11.02 (d.b.) and 10.45% (d.b), little millet and proso millet grains attained the equilibrium moisture content of 38-50.17% (d.b) and 39.11-47.15% (d.b.), respectively. Little millet took 18.5h to reach equilibrium moisture content at soaking temperature of 30°C and 3.5h at 70°C. For proso millet, it took 4h at 70°C and 19h at 30°C. The data of moisture content with time fitted to Lewis, Page, modified Page and Peleg models shown higher coefficient of determination values ranging from 0.92 to 0.99. Among the models, the Peleg model is more suitable for the little millet grains and both Page and Peleg models are more suitable for the proso millet grains, to represent the hydration kinetics in the soak water temperature range of 30-70°C. The dependency of the coefficients of the hydration models with temperature of soaking was found to be linear for both little and proso millets with coefficient of determination values ranging from 0.88 to 0.97.

English

English

English

Fibre and protein rich, low carbohydrate foods are recommended for better glycemic control in diabetics. Food items viz., 1) Finger millet (Eleusine coracana)-egg dosa, 2) Finger millet-fish dumplings, 3) Little millet (Panicum sumatrense)-fish fried rice, 4) Mixed Millets [(finger millet, little millet, Pearl millet/bajra (Pennisetum glaucum) & barnyard millet (Setaria italica)] bread-chicken sandwich and 5) Pearl millet-minced meat stuffed roti, were standardised, evaluated organoleptically and nutritive value of the food items was studied. The glycemic index of the selected test food item viz., mixed millets bread-chicken sandwich was determined. All the food items recorded satisfactory scores with respect to all the criteria except finger millet-fish dumplings. The energy and protein content of the foods ranged from 257 to 370kcal and 9 – 20g respectively. Mixed Millets bread-chicken sandwich topped the list due to the highest content of fat and protein than the other formulated food items. The calcium content of finger millet-egg dosa and finger millet-fish dumpling were higher than the others as finger millet is the richest source of calcium among millets. Other nutrients did not register any remarkable difference among the foods. The test food (mixed millets bread-chicken sandwich) recorded Glycemic Index of 54.69 (low GI) and glycemic load (GL) of 18.6 (medium GL). Incorporation of fibre rich millets and protein rich and carbohydrate-free non-vegetarian foods (lean cuts) can remarkably reduce the Glycemic Index (GI) of foods simultaneously increasing the nutritive value.

Early agriculture in Sri Lanka: New Archaeobotanical analyses and radiocarbon dates from the early historic sites of Kirinda and Kantharodai (Kandarodai)

Archaeobotanical evidence from two Early Historic sites in Sri Lanka, Kantharodai and Kirinda, is reported, providing significant evidence for agricultural diversity beyond the cultivation of rice. These data highlight the potential of systematic archaeobotanical sampling for macro-remains in tropical environments to contribute to the understanding of subsistence history in the tropics. Direct AMS radiocarbon dating confirms both the antiquity of crops and refines site chronologies. Both sites have Oryza sativa subsp. indica rice and evidence of rice crop-processing and millet farming. In addition, phytolith data provide complementary evidence on the nature of early rice cultivation in Sri Lanka. Both Kantharodai and Kirinda possess rice agriculture and a diverse range of cultivated millets (Brachiaria ramosa, Echinochloa frumentacea, Panicum sumatrense, and Setaria verticillata). Pulses of Indian origin were also cultivated, especially Vigna radiata and Macrotyloma uniflorum. Cotton (Gossypium sp.) cultivation is evident from Kirinda. Both sites, but in particular Kirinda, provide evidence for use of the seeds of Alpinia sp., in the cardamom/ginger family (Zingiberaceae), a plausible wild spice, while coconuts (Cocos nucifera) were also found at Kirinda.

Genetic characterization of Indian little millet (Panicum sumatrense) genotypes using random amplified polymorphic DNA markers

Initially, 60 primers were screened among 32 genotypes of little millet (Panicum sumatrense), from which 36 primers were selected on the basis of a sharp and clear banding pattern for final random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. The PCR reaction was carried out using a single decamer primer at a time. In total, 175 RAPD marker loci were amplified of which 155 were polymorphic (88.58%). The band size of amplified markers was in the range 100–1900 bp. Ten bands were the maximum scored (for primer OPH-19) whereas two bands were the minimum scored (for primer OPC-13). On average, 4.86 bands per primer and 4.31 polymorphic bands per primer were recorded. The polymorphism information content ranged from 0.102 (OPAI-01) to 0.517 (OPE-04). A dendrogram divided the genotypes into two major and further into sub-groups according to their collection center geographical regions. This was the first report on molecular diversity analysis of a large collection of little millet germplasm. Diverse genotypes may be used in breeding programmes for P. sumatrense improvement.

The complete chloroplast genome sequences of little millet (Panicum sumatrense Roth ex Roem. and Schult.) (Poaceae)

Little millet, Panicum sumatrense Roth ex Roem. & Schult., is an important cultivated species under the tribe Paniceae, sub-family Panicoideae and family Poaceae. In this study, for the first time we sequenced the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of P. sumatrense to investigate their phylogenetic relationship in the family Poaceae. The complete cp genome sequence of P. sumatrense is 139,384 bp in length with 38.6% overall GC content and exhibits a typical quadripartite structure comprising one pair of inverted repeats (22,723 bp) separated by a small single-copy region (12,583 bp) and a large single-copy region (81,355 bp). The P. sumatrense cp genome encodes 125 unique genes, which include 91 protein-coding genes, 4 rRNA genes, 30 tRNA genes, and 20 genes were duplicated in the inverted repeat region. This newly determined cp genome (P. sumatrense) could be valuable information for the breeding programs of this cereal crops in the family Poaceae.

Characterization of Minor Millets (Panicum sumatrense and Eleusine coracana) for Trait Related to Moisture Stress Tolerance

Characterization of Minor Millets (Panicum sumatrense and Eleusine coracana) for Trait Related to Moisture Stress Tolerance

Effect of different levels of fertilizers on growth and yield of little millet (Panicum sumatrense Roth ex Roem and Schult)

A field experiment was conducted during 2016 in the agronomy field of College of Agriculture, University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga, Karnataka. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with twelve treatments having three replications. The treatments comprised combinations of three levels of nitrogen (10, 20 and 30 kg N/ha), two levels of phosphorus (10 and 20 kg P/ha) and two levels of potassium(0 and 10 kgK/ha). Among the different combinations of NPK fertilizers tested application of 30 kg N and 20 kg P2O5 with or with out 10 kg K2O performed better for achieving growth and yield components compared to lower levels of fertilizer application. The application of 30: 20: 10 kg NPK/ha achieved taller plants (71.27 cm), more number of leaves (40.87/plant), more tillers (10.87/plant), higher leaf area (619.44 cm2/plant) and total dry matter accumulation (24.25 g/plant). Similarly better yield parameters like number of productive tillers/plant (9.40), panicle length (13.43 cm), number of grains/panicle (592) and test weight (3.39 g) were also achieved in the same set of treatment. Application of 30: 20: 10 kg NPK/ha achieved highest grain (1580 kg/ha) and straw (1603 kg/ha) yields apart from higher profit (Rs 8657) and was found economically feasible over recommended nutrient level of 20: 20 kg NP/ha and remained best among the tested treatments.

Processing of minor millets: A review

Minor millets such as kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum L) and little millet (Panicum sumatrense) are smallseeded grasses that grow well in dry zones as rainfed crops under marginal conditions of soil fertility and moisture. These crops are cultivated with lesser inputs and are unique due to their short growing season. Millet grains are nutritious with good quality protein and are rich in minerals, dietary fiber, phyto-chemicals and vitamins. Millets occupy an important place in the diet of people in many regions of the world. Although these are nutritionally superior to cereals their utilization as food is still mostly confined to the traditional consumers and population of lower economic strata. The statistical documentation on various aspects of processing and utilization of minor millets is generally poor and mostly fragmented compared to major cereal grains such as rice and wheat. The climate change, water scarcity, population growth, inadequate access to enough food and absence of local agrofood systems present, there is a challenge to scientists and nutritionists to investigate the possibilities of producing, processing and utilizing the potential of minor millets as nutri-cereals. The husk on the minor millets is tightly attached with the endosperm thereby making its removal difficult during de-husking operation. Very small size of grains is another challenge in the husk removal process. One of the barriers to increase millet processing and its value-added products in our country is unavailability of efficient de-huskers. However the special features of the millets, their beneficial uses and health consciousness of the consumer have made food scientists and engineers to develop various food products and mechanize the processes. The present paper reviews the essential engineering properties such as physical and frictional properties, nutritional content, traditional and modern de-husking practices and value-added food products developed from millets.

Tendencies towards a C4 Leaf: Quantitative Studies on Leaf Anatomy of Selected C3 and C4 Grasses

Grass family (Poaceae) is one of the largest families that represent monocots; containing species like Oryza sativa, Triticum aestivum, Zea mays, Eleusine coracana, Panicum miliaceum, Panicum sumatrense and Sorghum bicolor which are important to humans since they, directly or indirectly provide more than 3/4 of our food. C4 photosynthesis is a complex physiological adaptation, that is believed to have resulted from a series of anatomical and biochemical modifications to the ancestral C3 pathway. It is believed that C4 photosynthesis to have evolved in a stepwise manner nearly 22-24 times creating intermediates with different combinations of C4 -like components in grasses. C4 photosynthesis confers greater productivity than the C3 photosynthetic type in environments under high irradiance and high temperature. Accompanying higher photosynthetic rate C4 plants possess a vascular system in leaves with higher export rates which permit efficient translocation of photosynthates. In the current study, selected 11 grass species were subjected to analysis of leaf vascular system in relation to their C3 and C4 photosynthesis. The leaf vascular network in both C3 and C4 grasses consist of LLV, SLV and TV that are connected to longitudinal veins. Analysis carried out using the mature leaves of selected C3 and C4 grasses have shown that there are significant differences in anatomical features such as venation, stomata and bundle sheaths. The comparison of DLLV, DSLV and DTV of C3 and C4 grasses demonstrate that C4 grasses have a denser vascular pattern compared to C3 species (respective distances of C4 grasses were 71.74 μm, 11.85 μm and 81.4 μm). It has been found that these reduced distances between veins have led to significant low stomatal density among C4 grasses. Further, characteristic large bundle sheath structure of C4 species has been clearly seen from significantly high values obtained for BSD, ISD and OSD (respectively 10.4 μm, 4.32 μm and 7.15 μm). Furthermore, this screening has found Oryza nivara (a C3 species) having C4 like anatomical characters in leaf venation and bundle sheath structure. This species showed significantly low mean values for the distance between transverse veins (41.75 μm) resulting in significantly high total vein length per unit leaf area (81.77μm-1). The C4 tendency of its leaf anatomy was further supported by significantly large bundle sheaths, inner sheath and outer sheath distances (13.1 μm, 5.22 μm and 8.22 μm respectively). At the end of the analysis we were able to demonstrate significant differences of anatomical characters like venation, stomata and bundle sheaths in C3 and C4 plants. In addition, observations suggest characteristic leaf anatomy that is compatible with C4 anatomy may have evolved in Oryza nivara resulting it to be considered as C3- C4 intermediate.

Product Development and Nutritional Profiling of Little Millet (Panicum miliare) Grain

Product Development and Nutritional Profiling of Little Millet (Panicum miliare) Grain