Sorghum Plants Research Articles

Impact of morphological traits and irrigation levels on fresh herbage yield of sorghum x sudangrass hybrid: Modelling data mining techniques.

In this study, the effect of morphological traits on fresh herbage yield of sorghum x sudangrass hybrid plant grown in Konya province, which is the largest cereal production area in Turkey, was analyzed with some data mining methods. For this purpose, Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), Automatic Linear Model (ALM), Random Forest (RF) Algorithm and Multivariate Adaptive Regression Spline (MARS) Algorithm were used, and the prediction performances of these methods were compared. Plant height of 251.22 cm, stem diameter of 7.03 mm, fresh herbage yield of 8010.69 kg da-1, crude protein ratio of 9.09%, acid detergent fiber 33.23%, neutral detergent fiber 57.44%, acid detergent lignin 7.43%, dry matter digestibility of 63.01%, dry matter intake 2.11%, and relative feed value of 103.02 were the descriptive statistical values that were computed. Model fit statistics, including coefficient of determination (R2), adjusted R2, root of mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), standard deviation ratio (SD ratio), Mean Absolution Error (MAE) and Relative Absolution Error (RAE), were used to evaluate the prediction abilities of the fitted models. The MARS method was shown to be the best model for describing fresh herbage yield, with the lowest values of RMSE, MAPE, SD ratio, MAE and RAE (137.7, 1.488, 0.072, 109.718 and 0.017, respectively), as well as the highest R2 value (0.995) and adjusted R2 value (0.991). The experimental results show that the MARS algorithm is the most suitable model for predicting fresh herbage yield in sorghum x sudangrass hybrid, providing a good alternative to other data mining algorithms.

Identification of Pratylenchus coffeae as a causal agent of root rot disease in Sorghum bicolor in China

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is an important food and feed crop. Root-lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus spp.) are a group of pathogenic nematodes that cause severe economic losses in various food and cash crops. This study identified diseased sorghum plants with stunted growth and brown, rotting roots in sorghum fields in Shanxi Province, China. A species of root-lesion nematode was isolated by modified Baermann funnel method and named the GL-1 population. Afterward, the GL-1 population of root-lesion nematodes was identified as P. coffeae through a combination of morphological, rDNA-ITS and rDNA-28 S D2-D3 region techniques for molecular biological identification. We also conducted greenhouse experiments to assess the parasitism and pathogenicity of GL-1 and four other P. coffeae populations on sorghum through pot inoculation. At 60 days after inoculation, the results indicated that all five populations of P. coffeae were capable of infecting and causing damage to the sorghum plants. Sorghum is a suitable host for P. coffeae (with a reproduction factor > 1). Moreover, compared with those in the control group, the aboveground fresh weights and root fresh weights of sorghum in the five inoculation groups were significantly lower, and brown spots or even necrotic rot appeared on the roots. All five populations were highly pathogenic to sorghum, but there were significant differences in pathogenicity among the populations. This study provides a scientific basis for identifying and detecting root-lesion nematodes in sorghum.

Characterization, Identification, and Biosafety Evaluation of Multifaceted Traits of Plant Growth-Promoting Endophytes for Ameliorating Productivity of Forage Sorghum.

Endophytes are bacteria that inhabit host plants for most of their life cycle without causing harm. In the study, 15 endophytic bacteria were isolated from 30 forage Sorghum plants and assessed for various plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits, such as phosphate solubilization, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase activity, ammonia production, siderophore production, gibberellic acid production, Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, and zinc solubilization. One isolate, JJG_Zn, demonstrated multiple PGP activities and was identified as Enterobacter sp. through 16S rRNA sequencing. Considering the concept of 'One health,' a comprehensive biosafety analysis for any plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGP bacteria) is essential, thus, Enterobacter sp. (JJG_Zn), along with two other standard cultures, Burkholderia seminalis and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, were evaluated for biosafety tests-including sheep blood agar assay, E.coli sensitivity assay, and pathogenicity tests on albino mice. The results indicated that all three PGP bacteria were potentially innocuous and compatible with each other. Furthermore, the field experiments were conducted at Punjab Agricultural University, Regional Research Station, Bathinda, and School of Organic Farming, IFS, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during Kharif 2022 employing a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with nine treatment combinations. The treatments included liquid bacterial inoculants (LBIs) of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Burkholderia seminalis, and Enterobacter sp. (JJG_Zn) applied in combination with 100% and 75% of the recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF), with each treatment replicated thrice. The treatment T9 (75% RDF + dual inoculation with B. seminalis and S. maltophilia) resulted in the highest productivity, showing a 10.23% increase in pooled green fodder yield (GFY) compared to the control. The treatment T8 (75% RDF + Enterobacter sp. (JJG_Zn)) showed a 5.14% increase in productivity over the control. Thus, liquid bacterial inoculants (LBIs) present a promising approach to enhance the productivity of forage Sorghum.

Effect of Drought Stress on Morphology and Chlorophyll Content of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench)

Sorghum is a type of cereal plant that easily adapts to stressful environmental conditions. Sorghum has many benefits as it can be used as food, feed, and energy sources, making it a promising crop for development on dry land in Indonesia. Drought impacts plants during their growth process, causing physiological and biological changes. This study aims to determine the effect of drought stress on the morphology and chlorophyll content of sorghum plants. Preliminary research was conducted by planting three varieties of sorghum (Numbu, Super 1, and Super 2). Subsequent planting involved selecting the variety most resistant to drought based on data analysis of several parameters. The basic design used in this experiment was a completely randomized design (CRD) with one factor: the level of drought stress, which had four levels -no drought stress as a day 0 (control) and drought stress for 3, 6 and 9 days by withholding water. The results showed a decrease in the total chlorophyll content of the leaves over time. Drought stress for 6 and 9 days without watering resulted in water content dropping below 25%, indicating severe drought stress and disrupting plant growth. Severe drought stress was characterized by low soil and leaf water content, yellowing and curling of the leaves.

Ácido salicílico mitiga os danos causados pelo déficit hídrico em sorgo forrageiro

ABSTRACT The sorghum crop is considered one of the most important worldwide due to its versatility. However, water stress can be considered a significant threat to its yield. The search for products that mitigate water stress is a crucial area of research in agriculture and water resources management. Thus, the objective in this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using salicylic acid as a water stress attenuator in sorghum. The experiment was conducted in a screened environment in a randomized block design with a 4 × 2 factorial scheme, with four replicates. Four levels of water (40, 60, 80, and 100% of evapotranspiration) and two concentrations of salicylic acid (0 and 2.76 g L-1) were evaluated. Plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, gas exchange, photosynthetic pigments, and chlorophyll a fluorescence were analyzed. Application of deficit irrigation depths reduced plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, and total chlorophyll in sorghum. However, when these depths were associated with salicylic acid, it was observed that the damage was attenuated, especially in chlorophyll a and b. Furthermore, salicylic acid reduced leaf temperature and increased water use efficiency when applied alone. Thus, salicylic acid can be used to mitigate the effects of salt stress on sorghum plants.

DESIGN AND EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF SORGHUM CUTTING TABLES BASED ON A PUSH AND DIVISION INTEGRATED OUTER DIVIDER

ABSTRACT At present, there are serious problems in sorghum harvesting, such as lodging entanglement and the loss of broken stems due to the lack of an external dividing device for the cutting table and holding device. Based on the physical and mechanical characteristics of sorghum plants, an integrated outer divider was developed. The main structural parameters and working parameters of the outer divider were determined. A comparative test of the working quality of the outer divider was carried out. The results show that the working quality of the cutting table with the outer divider is obviously better than that without the outer divider and that the harvest loss of the cutting table is effectively reduced. The Box–Behnken experimental design method was used to investigate the effects of the forward speed, rotation speed of the grain lifter and dividing angle of the outer divider on the lodging and broken stem loss rates during sorghum harvesting. The regression mathematical model and response surface of the lodging and broken stem loss rates and the analysis factors were established, and the optimal working parameters of the outer divider were determined as follows: the dividing angle of the outer divider was 20°, the forward speed was 0.8 m/s, and the rotating speed of the grain lifter was 330 rpm. Under these parameters, the loss rate of the fall was 1.08%, and the loss rate of broken stems was 1.05%, which met the requirements of sorghum cutting tables

Linking phylogenetic niche conservatism in bacterial communities in sorghum root compartments revealed by the Hongyingzi cultivar.

The root system harbours complex bacterial communities, which are critical for plant growth and health. Significant differences exist between bacterial communities in the root compartments; however, limited reports have explored their phylogenetic composition and niche conservatism in the root system of sorghum. We used the sorghum Hongyingzi cultivar as test plant, and applied 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing and various statistical approaches. Phylogenetic composition of bacterial communities in root compartments were primarily driven by closely related species with similar environmental adaptations. We also found evidence of phylogenetic niche conservatism in bacterial communities for edaphic factors in the various root compartments, with pH and available N playing essential roles in shaping community composition. Environmental threshold analysis revealed threshold ranges of dominant taxa for pH and available N, indicating wider adaptive thresholds for more abundant taxa. Reconstruction of ancestral states suggested evolutionary changes in adaptability of certain bacterial taxa to edaphic factors, suggesting a shift towards slightly acidic, high N environments and reflecting the prolonged mutual interaction between bacteria and plants in cultivated soils. These findings enhance our understanding of environmental responses and evolutionary dynamics of root-associated microbiota in young sorghum plants and provide novel insights into ecological adaptations, shedding light on their responses to environmental factors. Our study contributes to a better understanding of the ecological dynamics of root-associated microbiota and offers analytical pathways for exploring the nutritional regulation of root microbiota.

The Effect of Mycorrhiza on Sorghum Plants in Dryland Areas

The Effect of Mycorrhiza on Sorghum Plants in Dryland Areas

Response of sorghum genotypes to anthracnose (Colletotrichum sublineolum) resistance under field conditions in eastern Ethiopia.

Sorghum anthracnose is one of the major diseases that have negative impacts on sorghum production in Ethiopia. This study was conducted to evaluate the resistance response of sorghum genotypes against sorghum anthracnose and to determine yield performances of sorghum genotypes under field conditions in two consecutive cropping years. Forty-nine sorghum genotypes were tested for their reactions to anthracnose in the East and West Hararghe Zones, East Ethiopia, during the 2017 and 2018 main cropping seasons. The design of the experiment was laid out in triple lattice square design with three replications. Anthracnose severity was assessed on 16 randomly selected and pre-tagged sorghum plants in the middle two rows of each plot. The eight subsequent times of severity assessments were used to evaluate the response of the genotypes to sorghum anthracnose. The ranges of the mean severity of anthracnose in 2017 and 2018 were 35 to 91% and 38 to 93%, respectively. In 2017 and 2018, the area under disease progress curve varied from 1744 to 3865% of days and from 2354 to 4908% of days, respectively. During the two growing seasons, the genotype ETSL 101469 displayed the highest anthracnose severity, followed by BTX-623. In both experimental years, anthracnose had very strong negative relationships with grain yield and thousand seed weight. The current study demonstrated how Ethiopian sorghum genotypes affect anthracnose development in the field conditions. Throughout the two experimental years, the sorghum genotypes ETSL 100335, ETSL 100395, ETSL 10474, ETSL 100523, ETSL 100498, ETSL 100989, ETSL 100597, and ETSL 101000 continuously exhibited lower disease levels than the other genotypes. Therefore, it is advised to use these genotypes as alternate sources of sorghum anthracnose resistance. Nonetheless, further research across location is necessary to validate their anthracnose resistance in a variety of agro-ecologies.

Nutrient status, water consumption and productivity of grain sorghum in the southern part of the Rostov region depending on sowing dates and seeding rates

Sorghum is a drought-resistant, heat-loving crop, the grain of which is highly nutritious and widely used in animal husbandry. In the Russian Federation, the Rostov Region ranks first in terms of sowing areas for this crop. The purpose of the current study was to determine the effect of seeding rates and sowing dates of grain sorghum on productivity, water consumption and nutrient status in the southern part of the Rostov Region. The study was conducted at the FSBSI “ARC “Donskoy” in 2022–2023. As a result of the study, there has been found a decrease of grain nitrogen available to sorghum plants to 4.1–4.7; 4.1-4.9 and 4.2–4.7 mg/kg of soil for the varieties ‘Zernogradskoye 88’, ‘Ataman’ and ‘Esaul’, respectively. By the complete maturity stage, the mobile phosphorus content in soil decreased to 15.3–17.0; 16.0–17.0; 14.1–15.7 mg/kg of soil, respectively, for the varieties ‘Zernogradskoe 88’, ‘Ataman’, and ‘Esaul’. At the end of grain sorghum vegetation period, the exchangeable potassium content was at the level of 271–306; 275–295; 261–290 mg/kg of soil, respectively, for the varieties ‘Zernogradskoe 88’, ‘Ataman’, and ‘Esaul’. Water consumption was at the level of 227.4–277.9 mm/ha for the variety ‘Zernogradskoye 88’, 219.6–272.1 mm/ha for the variety ‘Ataman’ and 222.8–271.5 mm/ha for the variety ‘Esaul’. At the same time, moisture consumption for the formation of grain productivity was 48.42–70.41; 42.92–69.85; 47.15–83.70 mm/t, respectively, for the varieties ‘Zernogradskoye 88’, ‘Ataman’, and ‘Esaul’. Over the years of study, the mean grain productivity was 4.51 t/ha for the variety ‘Zernogradskoye 88’, 4.66 t/ha for the variety ‘Ataman’, 4.11 t/ha for the variety ‘Esaul’. The largest productivity was identified in the third sowing date (4.66 t/ha on average according to a sowing date) and at a seeding rate of 0.4 million germ. pcs. per ha (4.94 t/ha on average according to a seeding rate).

KORELASI RADIASI DAN LAMA PENYINARAN MATAHARI TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN DAN PRODUKSITANAMAN SORGUM (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench)

This study aims to investigate the T-test, F-test, and correlation test of radiation and duration of sunlight exposure on the growth and production of sorghum plants. The research was conducted at the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Climate Station in Indrapuri, Aceh Besar, from March to June 2023.The study employed Multiple Linear Regression Analysis, T-test, F-test, Correlation Coefficient, and Determination Coefficient. The results indicate that radiation and duration of sunlight exposure significantly affect plant height, number of leaves, and sorghum production. Regression analysis also shows that radiation and duration of sunlight exposure have a significant impact on all parameters studied. The T-test reveals that radiation does not have a partial effect on plant height and the number of leaves, but it does have a partial effect on weight and wet weight. On the other hand, the duration of sunlight exposure has a partial effect on plant height and the number of leaves, but it does not have a partial effect on the wet weight of samples and the wet weight. The simultaneous F-test analysis shows that radiation and duration of sunlight exposure have a simultaneous effect on plant height. Correlation analysis shows that plant height, number of leaves, wet weight per sample, and wet weight per plot are related.

Применение хелатных микроудобрений «нового поколения» на посевах зернового сорго в засушливых условиях Саратовской области и их влияние на селекционно-ценные признаки

Field experiments were initiated and conducted in the period from 2021 to 2023. In the experiments, chelated micro fertilizers were used as leaf treatments in grain sorghum crops in the experimental fields of RosNIISK Rossorgo Federal State Budgetary Research Institution. A reliable effect of chelated preparations on an increase in the breeding and valuable indicators of grain sorghum has been established: the height of sorghum plants at maturity, the length and area of the flag and largest leaves. The average height of plants by varieties in the experimental variants varied from 126.3 to 130.4 cm, which is 6.0-10.1 cm higher than the control variant, the length of the flag leaf varied from 31.3 to 34.7 cm (exceeding the control was 3.6-7.0 cm), the length of the largest leaf was from 46.0 to 52.8 cm, in the control variant the value of the parameter it turned out to be lower by 3.0-9.8 cm. The area of the flag leaf increased on average by varieties in experimental versions from 97.4 to 115.4 cm2 (the difference with the control was 11.4-29.4 cm2), and the largest leaf – from 192.7 to 223.5 cm2 (more control by 33.1-63.9 cm2). The applied chelated micro-fertilizers did not cause a significant increase in the indicator "inflorescence length", although a tendency to increase this feature has been established. Key words: GRAIN SORGHUM, VARIETY, CHELATED MICRO FERTILIZERS, PLANT HEIGHT, LENGTH AND AREA OF THE FLAG AND LARGEST LEAVES, INFLORESCENCE LENGTH

Rapid and efficient in planta genome editing in sorghum using foxtail mosaic virus-mediated sgRNA delivery.

The requirement of in vitro tissue culture for the delivery of gene editing reagents limits the application of gene editing to commercially relevant varieties of many crop species. To overcome this bottleneck, plant RNA viruses have been deployed as versatile tools for in planta delivery of recombinant RNA. Viral delivery of single-guide RNAs (sgRNAs) to transgenic plants that stably express CRISPR-associated (Cas) endonuclease has been successfully used for targeted mutagenesis in several dicotyledonous and few monocotyledonous plants. Progress with this approach in monocotyledonous plants is limited so far by the availability of effective viral vectors. We engineered a set of foxtail mosaic virus (FoMV) and barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV) vectors to deliver the fluorescent protein AmCyan to track viral infection and movement in Sorghum bicolor. We further used these viruses to deliver and express sgRNAs to Cas9 and Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) expressing transgenic sorghum lines, targeting Phytoene desaturase (PDS), Magnesium-chelatase subunit I (MgCh), 4-hydroxy-3-methylbut-2-enyl diphosphate reductase, orthologs of maize Lemon white1 (Lw1) or GFP. The recombinant BSMV did neither infect sorghum nor deliver or express AmCyan and sgRNAs. In contrast, the recombinant FoMV systemically spread throughout sorghum plants and induced somatic mutations with frequencies reaching up to 60%. This mutagenesis led to visible phenotypic changes, demonstrating the potential of FoMV for in planta gene editing and functional genomics studies in sorghum.

Impact of Salicylic Acid and Potassium Silicate in Ameliorating the Drought Stress Effect on Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench)

Aims: The present study highlights the impact of salicylic acid and potassium silicate in reducing the deleterious effect of drought stress on sorghum. Study Design: Split plot design. Place and Duration of Study: Agricultural College Farm, Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh during rabi, 2023-24. Methodology: The experiment consist of two main treatments i.e., water stress treatments viz., M1 (stress treatment i.e., moisture stress was imposed from vegetative to flowering (25-70 DAS) and M2 (No stress treatment) and eight sub treatments viz., No spray (S1), K-Silicate @50ppm at 35+45 DAS (S2), K-Silicate @100ppm at 35+45 DAS (S3), SA @150ppm at 35+45 DAS (S4), SA @200ppm at 35+45 DAS (S5), K-Silicate @50ppm + SA @200ppm at 35+45 DAS (S6), K-Silicate @100ppm + SA @200ppm at 35+45 DAS (S7) and K-Silicate @150ppm + SA @200ppm at 35+45 DAS (S8) replicated thrice. The plant samples were collected on 30, 50 and 70 DAS. Results: The sorghum plants under water stress showed drastic reductions in chlorophyll content (54.9%), relative water content (34.1%) and increase in membrane injury index (1.9 folds), proline content (1.8 folds) and catalase activity (3.6 folds). The combined spray of potassium silicate @100ppm + SA @200ppm exhibited superior performance by enhancing the chlorophyll content by 59.1%, relative water content by 32.5, proline content by 26.1%, catalase activity by 30.4% and reducing membrane injury index by 28.9%. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the foliar application of @100ppm + SA @200ppm at 35 + 45 DAS helped the sorghum plants from the negative effects of water stress from vegetative to flowering stages.

The Effect of Cadmium Salts on the In Vitro Growth and Development of Sorghum (Sorghum)

Purpose. To determine the effect of different concentrations of cadmium salt on the growth and development of shoots of different sorghum species in vitro and to select tolerant forms for developing breeding genotypes resistant to abiotic factors. Methods. The study involved different sorghum species: grain, broomcorn, Sudan grass, and soryz. Sorghum bicolor cultivar 'Stepovyi 8' was used as a control. Nutrient media were prepared using the standard Murashige and Skoog (MS) formulation. Sorghum seeds were sterilized with a solution of Bilyzna (bleach). Clonal micropropagation was conducted through direct selection with the addition of cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) and cadmium sulfate (CdSO₄) at concentrations ranging from 1.0 to 45.0 mg/L. The resulting shoots were evaluated on days 3 and 7 for the percentage of viable, necrotic, and dead shoots, as well as their biometric parameters. Results. The tolerance levels of sorghum plants varied depending on the species, the type of cadmium salt, and the salt concentration. Sudan grass exhibited the highest tolerance, whereas broomcorn was the most sensitive. This trend was consistent for both cadmium chloride and cadmium sulfate. At a concentration of 10.0 mg/L CdCl₂, shoot viability remained high in all treatments (82–95%). Increasing the concentration to 15.0 mg/L reduced viability to 70–87%, while at a concentration of 20.0 mg/L, it dropped to 44–54%. Concentrations of 30.0 mg/L and higher were critical, reducing shoot viability to 2–12%. The maximum toxic concentration (45.0 mg/L) caused the death of broomcorn shoots. In comparison, CdSO₄ demonstrated lower toxicity under similar conditions. At a concentration of 10.0 mg/L, shoot viability was 90–98%, while at a concentration of 15.0 mg/L, it was 80–95%. Even at higher concentrations (20.0–25.0 mg/L), viability remained higher compared to CdCl₂, and the maximum concentrations provided survival of a small proportion of viable shoots (up to 6%). Necrotic shoots began to appear at CdCl₂ concentrations as low as 7.5 mg/L, with the highest percentage of necrosis recorded in broomcorn plants. CdSO₄ caused less necrosis, even at higher concentrations (10.0–17.5 mg/L), indicating its reduced toxicity. At low cadmium salt concentrations (1.0–5.0 mg/L), the number of newly formed shoots was high in all treatments. CdSO₄ promoted greater shoot formation compared to CdCl₂. At 1.0 mg/L, the number of new shoots ranged from 7 to 18, while at 15.0 mg/L, this number decreased to 2–10. Conclusions. CdSO₄ is a less toxic alternative to obtain viable sorghum shoots in cadmium-containing media. The best results were observed at concentrations up to 10.0 mg/L, particularly for Sudan grass and soryz. Breeding programs should consider the species-specific tolerance of sorghum to heavy metals, with special attention to Sudan grass as the most tolerant species.

Efektivitas Ekstrak Padina minor dalam Meningkatkan Kadar Klorofil Pada Tanaman Sorgum

Sorghum is a potential alternative food source due to its high carbohydrate, fiber, and protein content, which surpasses that of rice, as well as its greater adaptability to marginal land and dry weather conditions. However, sorghum productivity is often hindered by suboptimal fertilizer use, necessitating additional solutions like biostimulants. Seaweed-based biostimulants, such as Padina minor, hold promise in enhancing plant growth by stimulating nutrient absorption, improving resistance to abiotic stress, and enriching soil quality. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of P. minor extract in increasing chlorophyll levels in sorghum plants. The experiment was conducted using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with varying concentrations of P. minor extract (20%, 30%, and 40%) and application frequencies (1, 2, and 3 times). The research results showed that (1) a concentration of 20% with administration of the extract once gave a significant increase in chlorophyll levels compared to other concentrations and frequencies; (2) administration of biostimulants in low concentrations and with fewer administration frequencies has proven to be more effective; (3) higher concentrations and frequencies of biostimulants can cause toxicity to plants; (4) the use of P. minor extract as a biostimulant can be a sustainable alternative in agricultural practices to improve the quality and productivity of sorghum.

Cover crops are unlikely to pose a risk to the management of Neopestalotiopsis sp. of strawberry in Florida

An aggressive Neopestalotiopsis sp. has emerged causing leaf spot and fruit rot on strawberry. In Florida strawberry production, cover crops (CCs) are grown in the summer to maintain and enhance soil structure and properties. Although CCs can be used in integrated disease management programs, they could also serve as hosts and increase inoculum levels. Since Pestalotiopsis-like fungi are known for their endophytic ability and wide host range, we sought to determine the effect of CCs commonly used over the summer in Florida on Neopestalotiopsis sp. inoculum. Pathogenicity was tested on sunn hemp, iron clay cowpea, sorghum sudan, oats, sunflower, and ryegrass. Moreover, trials in strawberry fields with histories of disease outbreaks, were conducted using iron clay cowpea, sorghum sudan, and sunn hemp as CCs plus a fallow control. Plants were evaluated for presence of symptoms in the field or following incubation in the laboratory. Soil samples were collected from each treatment and processed using a semiselective medium. Strawberry isolates were pathogenic to all the inoculated CCs, but symptoms were subtle and did not progress over time. Symptoms were not observed on the CCs under field conditions. Neopestalotiopsis sp. was successfully isolated from a single sorghum plant at one trial site, a single clay pea plant at another site, and a single sunflower plant at a third trial site. This suggests that the risk might be more closely associated with the decomposition of strawberry plant material rather than the infection of alternate hosts. Colony-forming units per g soil varied from 0 to 125, and differences were not consistent among trials. Our data suggest that the CCs tested do not pose a risk of increasing pathogen levels on strawberry fields and should still be used to protect and enhance organic matter in the soil.

Potential of Sorghum Water Extract as Bioherbicide Under Different Varieties and Water Stresses

The potential of sorghum plants to produce allelopathy is determined by the variety and the level of stress it receives. This study aimed to obtain information on the potential of sorghum water extract as a bioherbicide due to water stress treatment with different varieties. This study used a one-factor group randomized design. The extract source treatments were as follows: Super 2 + watering once every 1, 2, and 3 days; Suri 4 + watering once every 1, 2, and 3 days; Bioguma + watering once every 1, 2, and 3 days and control. Bioassay method experiments in petri dishes. Each petri dish was given 10 ml of aqueous extract with a concentration of 5%. A total of 25 sorghum seeds were planted and incubated for three days. The results showed that all water extracts from sorghum varieties Super 2, Suri 4, and Bioguma, combined with all water stresses, could inhibit the growth of the test plants. However, Super 2 + once every 5 days inhibited the test plants the most compared to the other treatments. Therefore, these sorghum water extracts have the potential to be used as bioherbicides to control weeds

Differential AMF-mediated biochemical responses in sorghum and oat plants under environmental impacts of neodymium nanoparticles

This study investigates the impact of neodymium (Nd) nanoparticle (NdNP) toxicity on the physiological and biochemical responses of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and oat (Avena sativa) plants and evaluates the potential mitigating effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Sorghum and oat plants were grown under controlled conditions with and without AMF inoculation, and subjected to NdNPs (500 mg Nd kg−1 soil). Results revealed that Nd nanoparticles significantly reduced biomass in both species, with a 50% decrease in sorghum and a 59% decrease in oats. However, AMF treatment ameliorated these effects, increasing biomass by 69% in oats under Nd nanoparticles toxicity compared to untreated contaminated plants. Soluble sugar metabolism was notably affected; AMF treatment led to significant increases in fructose and sucrose contents in both sorghum (+31% and +23%, respectively) and oat (+25% and +37%, respectively) plants under NdNPs toxicity. Improved sugar metabolism via enhanced activities of sucrose phosphate synthase (+29–54%) and invertase (+39–54%) enzymes resulted in higher proline (+21–81%) and polyamines (+49–52%) levels in AMF-treated plants under NdNPs toxicity, along with alterations in the biosynthesis pathways of amino acids and fatty acids, resulting in better osmoprotection and stress tolerance. Moreover, citrate (+29–55%) and oxalate (+177–312%) levels increased in both plants in response to NdNPs toxicity, which was accompanied by a positive response of isobutyric acid to AMF treatment in stressed plants, which potentially might serve as mechanisms for plants to mitigate NdNPs toxicity. These findings suggest that AMF can significantly mitigate Nd-induced damage and improve plant resilience through enhanced metabolic adjustments, highlighting a potential strategy for managing rare earth element (REE) nanoparticle toxicity in agricultural soils.

Identification and characterization of Epicoccum sorghinum causing leaf spot on sorghum in China

Sorghum[Sorghum bicolor (L.)Moench] is one of the most important food crops and also used as forage, brewing and industrial raw materials in China. In recent years, during field surveys a new leaf spot was detected on sorghum plants in Liaoning Province, China. The pathogen was isolated used a conventional pathogen isolation method and identified by its morphology cultural characters and phylogenetic analysis of the combined genes including the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), β-tubulin (TUB) and Large subunit (LSU) sequences, respectively. Based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses, the pathogenic fungus was identified as Epicoccum sorghinum. Pathogenicity test was confirmed by inoculating sorghum cultivars under greenhouse conditions. This study is the first time to confirmed E. sorghinum as the causal agent of the disease in China, and this disease represents a potential threat to sorghum productivity in China.