Sorghum Bicolor Research Articles

Agronomic responses of selected improved sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] varieties to scheduled water stress

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) is a resilient crop with high relevance in tropical and semi-arid regions, where nutritional deficiencies, particularly of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K), limit yield. This study evaluated the potential of RGB imagery combined with machine learning to detect N and K deficiencies in sorghum at different phenological stages. The traditional models showed significant limitations in distinguishing nutritional status, especially at the early V4 stage, where accuracies remained below 40%. At the flowering stage, their performance improved for nitrogen detection, reaching up to 58% accuracy, but remained insufficient for potassium (below 30%). In stark contrast, the CNN demonstrated substantially superior performance, effectively identifying even subtle visual symptoms. For nitrogen deficiency, the CNN achieved high accuracies of 76% at the V4 stage and 87% at flowering. While potassium classification proved more challenging overall, the CNN still outperformed traditional models, reaching 55% accuracy at flowering. These results indicate that deep learning is a powerful and viable low-cost tool for the early and accurate diagnosis of nutrient deficiencies in sorghum, overcoming the limitations of conventional machine learning approaches.

Enhancing soil health and phosphorus use efficiency with modified biochar amendment.

Response of invasive Solidago canadensis to foliar application of natural herbicide and glyphosate.

Biochar, a carbon-rich residue produced by controlled biomass decomposition in oxygen-deprived conditions, like pyrolysis or gasification, has gained attention as a soil enhancer for improving fertility and sequestering carbon. In this study, we analyzed a biochar produced from woody and herbaceous biomasses resulting from river cleaning operations. The potential impacts of biochar on fauna and flora were evaluated through tests on two soil invertebrates (Folsomia candida and Eisenia fetida/E. andrei) and several agricultural plant species. Toxicological assessments included the Ames test using Salmonella typhimurium; the Comet Assay, conducted on Cucumis sativus, Cichorium endivia, Lactuca sativa, Lepidium sativum, Sorghum saccharatum; and the MTS assay, performed on various human cell lines. Results showed that biochar did not negatively impact the collembolans or earthworms' survival, even at high concentrations. However, reproductive capacity declined significantly at concentrations above 2%. In plant assays, higher concentrations generally inhibited growth, while lower concentrations (1% to 2%) commonly used in agriculture promoted root elongation and, in some cases, increased germination rates. No harmful effects were detected in Ames test or in the cytotoxicity assay on human cell lines. Biochar did not negatively affect plant species survival or cause DNA damage, making it suitable as an agricultural soil conditioner.

Guard cells (GCs) regulate gas exchange and water loss in plants and have been extensively studied in Arabidopsis thaliana. However, cross-species comparisons at single-cell resolution remain limited. To address this, we aimed to define conserved and divergent transcriptomic signatures of GCs by generating a comparative single-cell atlas encompassing five species: A. thaliana, soybean (Glycine max), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), rice (Oryza sativa), and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor). We performed single-nucleus RNA sequencing (sNucRNA-seq) on leaf tissues from each species, followed by integrative bioinformatic analyses to identify and annotate GC populations. Orthology-informed transcriptomic comparisons and co-expression analyses were applied to assess shared and species-specific regulatory modules. Our analyses revealed a conserved core transcriptome in GCs across species, enriched for genes involved in stomatal movement, abscisic acid signaling, carbon dioxide signaling, reactive oxygen species metabolism, and ion transport. Conserved expression of transcription factors (e.g. MYB60, FAMA orthologs), transporters (e.g. KAT1, SLAC1), and stress-responsive genes was observed, despite considerable evolutionary divergence. These findings provide a reference framework for cross-species GC biology, reveal conserved regulatory features, and nominate candidate genes for functional validation. This work contributes molecular insights toward improving drought resilience and stomatal efficiency in crop species through targeted gene engineering.

The slaughterhouse-treated effluent, enriched with nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic matter, presents a promising alternative for water and nutrient reuse in irrigated crop systems. This study assessed the chemical composition of the effluent, nutrient dynamics in the soil, and agronomic performance of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) under fertigation. A randomized block design was used, with five treatments (tap water—control—and four effluent levels: 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) applied to two crop species, with four replications. The effluent exhibited elevated concentrations of ammoniacal nitrogen (43.9 ± 18.7 mg L−1), and potassium (13.1 ± 3.8 mg L−1), confirming its potential as a nutrient source. No significant differences were observed in soybean plant height across treatments, whereas early-stage sorghum growth showed only slight variation. Irrigation with treated effluent successfully replaced 100% of tap water in both soybean and sorghum, with no significant differences in productivity across concentrations. These results demonstrate the agronomic feasibility of using treated effluent as a substitute for tap water and synthetic fertilizers. Moreover, they highlight its potential as a sustainable input for fertigation, contributing to resource efficiency and promoting more integrated and environmentally conscious agricultural practices.

Comparative genomics and expression analysis of polyamine oxidase gene family in Sorghum bicolor reveals functional specialization, gene duplication, and role in drought resilience

Sweet sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is one of the varieties of sorghum having stalk with high concentration of soluble sugar. Biochemical evaluations of sweet sorghum enable it to determine the potential of the crop to be utilized for sugar production at industrial level. This study was designed to evaluate the Ethiopian sweet sorghum germplasms for production of crystalized sugar. In this study, 91 sweet sorghum accessions were evaluated based on total soluble sugar content. As a result, 8 accessions having high total soluble sugar scores were selected and evaluated for further biochemical quality traits. In addition, three agronomic parameters were used to evaluate their effect on the biochemical features of the studied sweet sorghum and sugarcane accessions. These traits include total soluble sugar (degree brix), polarization, sucrose content, sugar purity, days to maturity, stem height and stalk diameter. Three high quality sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) genotypes collected from Kessem sugar industry of Ethiopia were used as standard checks. Analysis of variance (ANOVA); mean separation and correlation were analyzed using R-software. ANOVA revealed significant variations for polarization value and purity of sweet sorghum juice at p ≤ 0.001. The mean separation analysis revealed that maximum and minimum degree brix were obtained from T-11 (20.23%) and T-28 (16.88%), respectively. In the present study, the polarization values ranged from 41.57 (T-28) to 69.30 0Z (C-86/12).The three sugarcane standard cheeks showed relatively higher values of polarization in comparison with the sweet sorghum accessions. Among the sweet sorghum accessions, T-13 showed relatively higher polarization value whereas the remaining sweet sorghum accessions didn’t show significant variation. The average sucrose content (pol percentage) was ranged from 11.98% (T-28) to 16.77% (C-86/12). C-86/12 sugarcane accession showed the highest (16.77%) mean value for sucrose content whereas T-28 sweet sorghum accession scored the lowest sucrose content (11.98%). Maximum purity of sugar was recorded from SP-70 (90.77%) sugarcane accession whereas; the minimum value was recorded from T-11 (63.62%) sweet sorghum accession. In addition, the correlation analysis revealed that there were both positive and negative correlation among biochemical and agro morphological traits of sweet sorghum and sugarcane. Brix value showed positive correlation with polarization (0.56**) and sucrose content (0.71**) while it was negatively correlated with sugar purity (-0.06), days to maturity (-0.06), stem height (-0.19) and stalk diameter (-0.16). On the other hand, polarization showed strong positive correlation with sucrose content (0.95**), purity (0.76**) and days to maturity (0.78**). In comparison with sugarcane, the studied sweet sorghum accessions revealed quite lower performance in polarization, sucrose content and purity. Nevertheless, this study confirmed the existence of a climate smart and promising sweet sorghum genotypes used for the production of sugar and syrup as an alternative sweetener.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-21488-3.

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is highly resilient to abiotic stresses such as drought, heat, salinity, cold and nutrient deficiencies, making it an important crop for food security under changing climates. This adaptability is driven by morphological and physiological traits like deep root systems, stomatal regulation, osmotic adjustment and antioxidant defense, supported by molecular mechanisms involving stress-responsive genes and transcription factors such as DREB, NAC and LEA proteins. Advances in QTL mapping, GWAS, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics have revealed key pathways and candidate genes for stress tolerance, while breeding approaches including marker-assisted selection, genomic selection and the use of wild relatives have enabled the development of stress-resilient lines with stable yields. Biotechnological tools such as CRISPR/Cas9, RNA interference and overexpression further offer precise genetic improvement. Together, these strategies are accelerating the creation of climate-smart sorghum varieties for sustainable agriculture. Future research should integrate multi-omics with machine learning to decipher complex stress-response networks and strengthen interdisciplinary collaborations to breed sorghum suited for diverse agro-ecological zones.

Phytotest-based study on the concentration-dependent dynamic interactions of Cd, Pb, and As under multiple exposure conditions in purple soils.

Soil salinization poses a severe threat to global food security by reducing crop productivity, particularly in semi-arid regions where sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) is a major cereal crop. Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) has recently been recognized as a signaling molecule involved in plant stress tolerance. However, its role in regulating the chloroplastic ascorbate–glutathione (AsA–GSH) cycle and photosynthetic performance in sorghum under salt stress remains unclear. To investigate the potential regulatory role of exogenous H₂S, sorghum seedlings were subjected to salt stress with or without sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS, an H₂S donor). Physiological, biochemical, and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were assessed to evaluate growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and photosynthetic responses. The concentrations of reduced and oxidized forms of ascorbate (AsA/DHA) and glutathione (GSH/GSSG), together with the activities of key enzymes in the AsA–GSH cycle, were determined. Salt stress significantly inhibited sorghum seedling growth, enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and disrupted redox homeostasis. Exogenous H₂S alleviated these effects by stimulating the AsA–GSH cycle in chloroplasts. H₂S treatment maintained higher levels of reduced AsA and GSH while promoting moderate accumulation of DHA and GSSG, accompanied by elevated activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), and monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR). Moreover, H₂S improved photosynthetic performance by maintaining chlorophyll content and chloroplast ultrastructure, optimizing chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and protecting photosystem II (PSII) from photoinhibition. Enhanced electron transfer from the PSII reaction center to plastoquinone further indicated an improved capacity for energy dissipation under salt stress. These findings demonstrate that exogenous H₂S confers salt tolerance in sorghum by activating the chloroplastic AsA–GSH redox cycle and preserving photosynthetic efficiency. The study highlights H₂S as a critical mediator of chloroplast redox regulation, providing an effective strategy for enhancing sorghum resilience to soil salinization and promoting sustainable agricultural production.

Striga stands as one of the most significant biotic constraints, severely impacting sorghum production and productivity in the northern and northeastern regions of the country. This study aimed to assess the performance of 49 sorghum genotypes against Striga hermonthica and examine the relationship between yield and traits associated with Striga. The experiment was carried out in Kobo, located in north eastern Ethiopia, during the main cropping season of 2022, utilizing a simple lattice design. The variance analysis indicated highly significant differences (p < 0.01) among genotypes across all traits. Genotype E17024-2 exhibited the highest Striga severity mean of 58.9, while the lowest mean of 1.4 was observed in genotype E17008-1. The grain yields recorded were highest at 6.5 tons per hectare for E17096-2 and lowest at 2.5 tons per hectare for E17065-2. At the genotypic level, grain yield showed highly significant positive correlation with panicle length (0.68), head count (0.83), head weight (0.95), biomass yield (0.77) and harvest index (0.8). Both at phenotypic and genotypic level, grain yield was highly significant negative correlated to striga count (-0.9,-0.94), striga vigorisity (-0.24, -0.36) and striga severity (-0.89, -0.93. The first five principal components of analysis explained 86.8% of the total variation and the traits Panicle width (0.76), Striga vigorisity (0.69), days to maturity (0.59), days to flowering (0.55) and plant height (0.46) captured most of the variability. Cluster analysis was done to group the genotypes based on multiple traits, forming five distinct clusters. The highest Striga severity score was recorded in Cluster IV (50.9) and Cluster II (48.2) but the minimum score was recorded in Cluster III (7.9). Hence, genotypes from cluster III can be used in sorghum breeding programs for grain yield improvement under Striga infested areas. The maximum inter-cluster distance was recorded between cluster III and cluster V (666.2). Accordingly, resistance, tolerance and susceptible genotypes were identified.

This study evaluated the chemical composition of masa, a traditional West African fermented cereal food, produced from malted sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) and fermented baobab (Adansonia digitata) pulp. Seven formulations were prepared with 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25% malted sorghum combined with 20% baobab pulp, alongside 100% rice and unmalted sorghum controls. Proximate analysis showed protein content increased from 13.46% (rice) to 18.14% (25% malted sorghum), while fat rose from 6.83% to 8.35% and fiber from 1.66% to 2.94%; conversely, carbohydrate decreased from 67.84% to 55.86%. Vitamin composition improved, with vitamin C increasing from 21.53 mg/100g (rice) to 36.52 mg/100g (25% malted sorghum) and provitamin A from 32.37 IU to 52.37 IU. Mineral contents also increased significantly: iron rose from 2.62 to 8.34 mg/100g, calcium from 225.34 to 375.85 mg/100g, and magnesium from 117.57 to 175.42 mg/100g. Amino acid profiling showed progressive enrichment in lysine (3.85–4.17 mg/100g), methionine (2.66–4.11 mg/100g), and tryptophan (1.24–3.35 mg/100g). Protein digestibility improved from 72.68% to 86.77% at 1 hour and from 73.95% to 92.13% at 6 hours, while starch digestibility reached 94.46% in processed masa. Antioxidant activity also increased, with FRAP values rising from 0.16 to 0.22 mmol Fe(II)/100g and DPPH scavenging capacity from 24.63 to 34.75 mmol Trolox/100g. Overall, increasing malted sorghum inclusion significantly enhanced protein, minerals, vitamins, amino acids, digestibility, and antioxidant capacity, while reducing carbohydrate content. These findings demonstrate that malted sorghum and baobab pulp synergistically improve the nutritional quality of masa, offering a sustainable approach to combat malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies in cereal-dependent population.

Effect of foliar application of zinc nanoparticles on growth and yield of grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L Moench) under drought conditions

Grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is an important cereal crop that demonstrates high ecological plasticity and drought tolerance, making it a promising alternative to traditional spring crops in the face of climate change. Despite its many advantages, sorghum crops are accompanied by increased exposure to pests, which can reduce yields by up to 72%. During 2018-2024, a comprehensive study of the sorghum pest complex was conducted in Polissia region of Ukraine. Crop monitoring revealed 13 pest species belonging to 4 orders: Coleoptera, Homoptera, Lepidoptera and Diptera. The most harmful species were Rhopalosiphum maidis Fitch, Schizaphis graminum Rond., Octrinia nubilalis Hb., Scotia segetum Schiff., Macrosteles laevis Rib., whose frequency of occurrence in the phases of active crop development exceeded 50%. Damage to plants by aphids and cicadas led to a significant decrease in grain quality due to impaired photosynthetic activity, and caterpillars of the scoop and stem butterfly caused plant death. The study revealed the dependence of phytophagous reproduction on abiotic factors, in particular unstable moisture and high temperatures, which affected their seasonal dynamics. The highest pest activity was observed during the tillering and grain filling phases. The results provide the basis for the development of integrated sorghum protection systems, including a combination of agronomic and biological measures, which will reduce yield losses by up to 30%. The study of the species composition of pests is important for increasing the efficiency of sorghum cultivation in Polissia of Ukraine. Keywords: Climate change, crops productivity, biotic and abiotic stress, drought resistant, phytophagous insects, entomocomplex.

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is a vital cereal crop cultivated extensively in arid and semi-arid regions due to its adaptability to harsh environmental conditions. Seed vigour is a crucial determinant of crop establishment, particularly in sorghum where standardized vigour testing protocols are yet to be established. The present study evaluated the relationship between mean germination time (MGT) and field emergence (FE) at 10 and 20 days after sowing (DAS) across 15 different sorghum seed lots which were stored for 12 months under ambient conditions, to assess the suitability of MGT as a seed vigour test. Correlation analysis revealed a strong and highly significant negative association between MGT and FE, indicating that seed lots with shorter germination times exhibited superior field emergence. Regression analysis further validated these findings, with extremely high coefficients of determination (R² = 0.99) for both FE 10 DAS and FE 20 DAS against MGT, demonstrating that variations in field emergence could be largely explained by differences in MGT. The low standard error of the regression models highlighted the robustness and reliability of these relationships. Incorporating MGT into seed vigour testing protocols would enable seed producers, researchers, and quality analysts to make more accurate predictions of seed lot performance, thereby supporting improved crop establishment and seed quality assurance.

Several species of predatory arthropods and hymenopteran parasitoids inhabit grain sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.), fields in the U.S. Great Plains and play a role in biological control of key aphid pests of sorghum. Important taxa include predatory Syrphidae, Chrysopidae, Hemerobiidae, Coccinellidae, Anthocoridae, and Araneae and aphelinid and braconid parasitoids. We undertook a 4-yr study to evaluate 4 sampling methods for estimating predator density: D-vac suction sampling, sweepnet sampling, timed counting, and enumeration of predaceous arthropods on 2 sorghum leaves per plant (2-leaf counts) to quantify predator populations and used 2 of methods, 2-leaf counts and timed counting, to quantify relative density of mummies of aphelinid parasitoids. We evaluated the statistical accuracy and precision of density estimates for samples obtained using each method, comparing them to population estimates from complete enumeration of natural enemies on plants, which were considered the reference for unbiased population estimates. All 4 sampling methods provided biased estimates for at least some natural enemies. Timed counts and 2-leaf counts were biased for fewer taxa than were sweepnet and D-vac samples. Statistical precision measured by the coefficient of variation (CV) for each sampling method differed among taxa with no method being the most precise for sampling all taxa. Overall, 2-leaf counts and timed counts were the sampling methods exhibiting the greatest precision and smallest bias for estimating relative population density or population intensity for natural enemies of aphids in sorghum.

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is a vital, climate-resilient C4 cereal crop that is gaining increasing recognition for its wide industrial potential, yet it remains underutilized compared to maize. This review explores the diverse applications of sorghum and highlights genetic advancements that have contribute to its trait improvement, especially in sustainable agriculture, bioenergy and bioproducts. Sorghum’s high-quality grain, substantial biomass yield and efficient ethanol conversion position it as a promising crop for biofuel production. Additionally, its lignocellulosic biomass serves as a valuable feedstock for biodegradable polymers, resins and other eco-friendly materials, supporting global sustainability goals. The crop’s inherent tolerance to drought and heat, along with minimal input requirements, makes it suitable for low-resource farming systems, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Furthermore, sorghum plays an essential role in food security, serving as a staple food crop in different regions. Advances in molecular breeding, genetic engineering and biotechnology have enabled the development of sorghum varieties tailored for industrial applications, improving traits like biomass composition, stress tolerance and sugar content. Despite its potential, challenges such as climate-induced stress, pests and limited market development persist. Addressing these through collaborative research policy support and innovation can enhance sorghum’s role in climate-smart agriculture and industry. This review underscores sorghum’s adaptability and growing importance in promoting sustainable, resilient agricultural and industrial systems.

Flow cytometry (FCM) and genome sequencing are complementary methods for estimating plant genome size (GS). However, discrepancies between the GS estimates derived from genome assemblies and FCM create ambiguity regarding the accuracy of these approaches. Approximately 12,000 plant GS measurements have been reported, with hardly any of them based on genome assemblies. Currently, FCM is the most frequently used method. Accurate GS estimation by FCM relies on internal standards with known GS values. However, previous GS calibrations, often based on incomplete reference genome assemblies, have led to significant discrepancies in GS estimates. Historically, the GS of a diploid plant species was estimated by doubling the size of a consensus genome assembly. However, consensus assemblies collapse homologous chromosomes into a single sequence, typically favouring the larger haplotype and potentially overestimating GS, especially in highly heterozygous species. Here, we applied haplotype-resolved genome assemblies to accurately recalibrate the reference standards. We utilized a recent gapless, telomere-to-telomere (T2T) consensus and the most complete phased genome assemblies of the Nipponbare rice as a primary standard to recalibrate five commonly used plant standards. Using the consensus genome as a reference revealed an overestimation of over 30% in widely used previous GS estimates for Pisum sativum and Nicotiana benthamiana, approximately 18% for Arabidopsis thaliana, and 5% for Sorghum bicolor and Gossypium hirsutum. The GS estimates based on phased haplotype assemblies suggested an additional 6%–7% overestimation. Haplotype-resolved genome assemblies allow the recalibration of GS estimates with the potential to yield more accurate values by capturing haplotype-specific variations previously missed in consensus assemblies.