Sorghum Bicolor Research Articles (Page 5)

Being nutricereals with recognized nutritional content, bioactive components, and therapeutic prospects, millets support agronomic relevance and dietary value objectives of sustainable development. The present study investigated soil health and nutriology, phyto-compounds (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry [GC-MS] profiling), proximate composition, the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), and H2O2 (peroxide) scavenging activity, antimicrobial potential, of Eleusine coracana, Pennisetum glaucum, and Sorghum bicolor cultivated in Panchal, Bankura, West Bengal, India. The soil texture is sandy clay loam in nature, and iron content was found maximum among the micronutrients present in the soil. The E. coracana and P. glaucum contain the maximum carbohydrate and protein content, respectively. GC-MS profiling millets detected the presence of hydrocarbon, fatty acid, triterpene, fatty amide, and sterol compounds. Sorghum exhibited total phenolic and flavonoid content with 231mgGAE/100g and 186.79mg quercetin equivalents (QE)/100g, respectively. However, E. coracana shows 16.04% and 23.85% more H2O2 scavenging activity than sorghum and P. glaucum, respectively, and more DPPH scavenging activity at 91.02% at a concentration of 36µg/mL. Ethanolic extract of sorghum showed antimicrobial efficacy against Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 10145) with the zone of inhibition of 2.4±0.12, 2.6±0.12, and 2.1±0.12cm, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration (15µg/mL) of ethanolic extract of sorghum exhibited inhibition of S. aureus by 92.64%±2.01%, P. aeruginosa by 96.64%±3.02%, and E. coli by 98.64%±3.02%. Further, molecular docking study found cis-stilbene with LasR protein from P. aeruginosa, Lupeol, methyl ester with SarA protein from S. aureus, 1,3-docosenamide, (Z)- with CpxR from E. coli as effective. Sorghum exhibited maximum phenolic, flavonoid content, and antimicrobial potential against P. aeruginosa (ATCC 10145). Sorghum bioactive compounds exhibited more efficiency than ciprofloxacin in biofilm eradication, rhamnolipid, pyocyanin, and elastase activity reduction in P. aeruginosa (ATCC 10145). cis-stilbene exhibited maximum binding efficacy (-8.2kcal/mol) against the LasR protein from P. aeruginosa.

Aphid infestation significantly reduces the yield and forage quality of sorghum, underscoring the urgent need to identify and develop aphid-resistant sorghum varieties. Marker-assisted selection (MAS) remains one of the most effective strategies for enhancing aphid resistance in sorghum. In this study, an F2 segregating population derived from a cross between the aphid-resistant variety IS23514 and the susceptible variety IS23992 was employed to map aphid resistance genes using bulked segregant analysis based on whole-genome resequencing (BSA-seq) and Insertion-Deletion (InDel) marker analysis. Genetic analysis indicated that aphid resistance in sorghum is governed by a dominant gene. A quantitative trait locus (QTL) associated with aphid resistance (qMsa-6) was identified within a 124kb region on chromosome 6. Candidate gene prediction and protein domain analysis within this region revealed ten previously uncharacterized genes, seven of which possess NB-ARC domains. Subsequent qPCR analysis revealed that the SbiRTX2783.06G018400 gene is the most likely candidate conferring aphid resistance. This study offers critical molecular insights into the mechanisms underlying aphid resistance in sorghum and identifies key candidate genes for future aphid-resistant breeding programs.

BackgroundDifferent crops may recruit specific rhizosphere microbiomes that support their survival under unfavorable conditions, including hot semi-arid climates. However, the processes driving microbiome assembly within different crops and their adaptation to such extreme environmental conditions remain poorly understood. This study investigates whether upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), and soybean (Glycine max) recruit distinct or overlapping rhizospheric bacterial communities under hot semi-arid conditions in Lubbock, Texas, United States, with a focus on their potential role in enhancing crop resilience. By exploring rhizobacterial recruitment strategies and differential microbial associations in these crops, this study addresses critical gaps in plant-microbiome interactions and paves the way for practical applications in hot semi-arid agricultural systems.ResultsWe found that the abundances and structures of rhizospheric bacterial communities differed among sorghum, soybean, and cotton, with the differences being closely linked to their predicted functional roles in stress adaptation and nutrient assimilation. Alpha and beta diversity analyses revealed that soybean rhizosphere exhibited the highest bacterial richness and diversity followed by cotton. In contrast, sorghum rhizobacteriome showed the lowest richness and less even distribution of rhizobacterial taxa compared with the other two crops, emphasizing crop-specific rhizobacterial associations. Actinobacteriota and Firmicutes phyla were significantly enriched in sorghum rhizosphere, whereas Pseudomonadota, Bacteroidota, and Acidobacteriota phyla were significantly enriched in soybean and cotton rhizospeheres under hot semi-arid conditions. Functional prediction analysis demonstrated that sorghum-associated rhizobacteriome was significantly enriched in pathways related to stress adaptation, while soybean and cotton rhizobacteriomes exhibited more diverse pathways, primarily associated with nitrogen and sulfur assimilation.ConclusionsThese findings underscore the influence of crop-specific factors in shaping rhizobacteriome composition and function to ensure their behavior and performance under hot semi-arid conditions in Lubbock, Texas, United States, with sorghum favoring stress adaptation, soybean being linked to nitrogen and sulfur assimilation, and cotton displaying intermediate traits. Our results highlight the potential for leveraging rhizobacteriome in developing innovative cultivation strategies to enhance crop resilience and productivity under challenging environmental conditions.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40793-025-00763-w.

Forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.)) is a cereal native to Africa and belongs to the family Poaceae. It is a forage with a C4 photosynthetic pathway that stands out for its ability to adapt to different environments; it is able to produce even in unfavorable circumstances. The objective of this study was to analyze the attenuating effect of the brassinosteroid hormone in the form of 24-epibrassinolide on forage sorghum plants subjected to water deficit and rehydration. A completely randomized design (CRD) was used in the experiment. A 2 × 3 × 5 factorial arrangement was used, with two water conditions (water deficit and rehydration), three brassinosteroid doses (0 nM, 50 nM, and 100 nM as 24-epibrassinolide), and five replicates. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse. Sorghum seeds were sown in pots with a capacity of 3 kg of substrate. Analyses were performed on the roots and leaves of sorghum plants at different growth stages. The macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) were analyzed in the soil physics laboratory. As a result, the content of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg decreased under a water deficit and was then restored by the hormone 24-epibrassinolide, which was able to restore these nutrients. The effect of the hormone under rehydration had a positive effect, increasing the levels of nutrients. Given the above, it was possible to conclude that there were no significant divergences between the treatments during the period of irrigation suspension. Among the tested concentrations, 50 nM of 24-epibrassinolide showed the most consistent improvements in nutrient concentrations under water-deficit conditions, suggesting a potential role in mitigating nutritional imbalance during stress. Rehydrated plants maintained nutrient levels similar to the controls regardless of 24-epibrassinolide application. However, it is important to note that nutritional quality indices such as crude protein and total digestible nutrients (TDN) were not evaluated in this study, which limits direct conclusions about the forage nutritional value.

Several mutations of the sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] GRANULE-BOUND STARCH SYNTHASE (GBSS) gene [Sobic.010G022600; commonly known as Waxy (Wx)] result in a low amylose:amylopectin starch ratio. Recessive waxy (wx) alleles improve starch digestibility in ethanol production, human foods and beverages, and animal feed. However, breeding waxy sorghum is challenging due to reliance on traditional PCR markers for genotyping, which are not amenable to next-generation sequencing (NGS). Most commercial breeding programs use high-throughput genotyping and genomic selection in large, segregating populations prior to flowering. This study provides the first published NGS markers for the two most commonly used waxy (wx) alleles of sorghum and is the first to fully sequence the large insertion that is causal of the wxa allele. In the absence of a pangenome including wxa genotypes, we constructed an in silico B.Tx623 wxa genome assembly from the B.Tx623 reference genome (v3.1.1) including the insertion, a ~ 5-kb-long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposon of the copia superfamily. The in silico wxa assembly improved read mapping at Sobic.010G022600 in wxa individuals, identified 78 new uniquely mapped reads, and made it possible to distinguish different Waxy genotypes using short-read sequencing data. Functional PACE-PCR markers, suitable for marker-assisted selection and multiplexed, low-to-mid-density genomic selection, were developed for Wx, wxa, and wxb alleles. The PACE markers were validated in segregating populations of three public and private breeding programs. These new molecular breeding resources comprise a toolkit that will improve the efficiency of developing commercial waxy sorghum hybrids using genomics-assisted approaches.

Cowpea, okra, roselle calyces, “ayoyo” leaves, and guinea corn red sheath are often cooked with crude trona to enhance softness, sliminess, and color. This study aims to determine the effect of crude trona on the antioxidant activity of these foods, to inform cooks and food processors. The 2,2-diphenyl-picrylhydrazin (DPPH) inhibition method was used to assess antioxidant activity. “Ayoyo” leaves cooked without crude trona (control) showed higher inhibition (56.04 ± 0.009 %) than those cooked with 3g (43.477 ± 0.081 %) and 1 g (52.52 ± 4.75 %) crude trona. Similarly, guinea corn red sheath without crude trona had higher inhibition (66.107 ± 0.152 %) than with 1 g (28.461 ± 0.09 %) and 3 g (55.027 ± 0.063 %). Cowpea cooked without crude trona recorded 62.101 ± 0.009 % inhibition, compared to 3 g (30.927 ± 0.009%) and 1g (27.764 ± 0.018 %) crude trona. Okra showed higher inhibition without crude trona (61.551 ± 0.59 %) than with 3 g (39.06 ± 0.02 %) and 1 g (54.133 ± 0.02 %). However, roselle calyces cooked with 3 g crude trona exhibited slightly higher inhibition (83.017 ± 0.008 %) than those cooked without (82.2 ± 0.008 %) and with 1 g (78.553 ± 0.016 %). The study reveals that adding 3 g crude trona significantly (p < 0.05) reduces antioxidant activity in “ayoyo”, guinea corn red sheath, cowpea, and okra, while slightly increasing it in roselle. Therefore, cooking “ayoyo”, guinea corn red sheath, cowpea, and okra with crude trona may reduce their health benefits, whereas its addition to roselle may enhance them.

Abstract Photoperiod‐sensitive (PS) sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] has been developed as a bioenergy crop. However, little is known about PS sorghum production in semiarid environments. The objective of this study was to investigate water use, biomass yield, and water‐use efficiency (WUE) in recently developed PS sorghum genotypes. Field experiments were conducted in 2 years and two locations in the US Southern Great Plains. Six genotypes (TAM08001, TAM17500, TAM17600, TAM17650, TAM17800, and TAM18000) were grown in three water regimes (dryland, irrigation at 50% evapotranspiration (ET) demand, and irrigation at 100% ET demand). For both locations, soil water extraction (SWE) occurred at a 0–2.4 m profile in 2018 but at a 0–1.2 m profile in 2019. At Bushland, TX, biomass yield ranged from 4 to 31 Mg ha−1 and seasonal ET ranged from 251 to 743 mm. In contrast, variations of biomass yield (10–19 Mg ha−1) and seasonal ET (345–483 mm) were smaller at Colby, KS. The WUE in PS sorghum (3.19–4.09 kg m−3) did not differ among water regimes except for the dryland treatment (1.52 kg m−3) at Bushland (2018). The genotypic differences in SWE, biomass yield, ET, and WUE were more pronounced under dryland conditions. TAM08001, TAM17800, and TAM17600 had greater biomass yield and WUE under drought conditions. Overall, biomass yield levels of 10–17 Mg ha−1 can be achieved in dryland in western KS, but under irrigation at 50% ET demand in the TX High Plains. Further studies are needed to better understand shoot and root traits related to drought tolerance in PS sorghum.

Amaranthus is appointed as a common weed associated with crops. The research was designed to survey the Amaranth existence pattern throughout the Fayoum Depression, Egypt, accompanied with a community vegetation analysis. The study was extended to collect and analyze associated soil samples. The obtained results figured out the prevalence of dicot families, herb growth forms, therophyte followed by phanerophyte life forms, the Pantropical monoregional chorotype, and the Mediterranean and Sudano-Zambezian followed by the Irano-Turanian pluri-regional chorotype. Multilevel pattern analysis stated that Gossypium barbadense, Corchorus olitorius, Sorghum bicolor, Sesamum indicum, and Zea mays are indicator species most related to Amaranth occurrence and prediction. NMDS analysis denoting that the Ibshaway, Youssef Al Seddik, Itsa, and Fayoum districts are the most representative districts for Amaranth existence on the basis of edaphic resources. Itsa and Youssef Al Seddik, in addition to Itsa and Fayoum, resemble each other in species composition. High pH and CaCO3 percentages were discriminatory in Ibshaway, Itsa, and Youssef Al Seddik. Ni was the cornerstone for districts partitioning in pruned trees. Finally, Amaranth was flourishing in both comfortable and harsh habitats with cultivated crops and orchards, as well as on the outskirts. The findings are considered to be valorized by decision makers in arable land management.

The production of poultry contributes significantly to global food security by offering a reasonably priced source of protein. However, a major obstacle is the high cost of feed components, especially maize. Because of its high fiber content and anti-nutritional elements like tannins and phytates, sorghum stalk, an abundant agricultural residue, presents a possible substitute but is still neglected. This study aimed to optimize the solid-state fermentation of sorghum stalk using aspergillus niger to enhance its nutritional composition for inclusion in broiler feed formulation as maize replacement. The fermentation process was optimized by varying pH, ranging from pH levels of 5 to 8 and temperature of 200C to 350C together with fermentation duration to maximize enzymatic activity and microbial biomass growth in six days. From the results pH6 and temperature 350C has the highest biomass growth. The proximate composition at pH6 were; moisture (45.63% to 37.37%), crude fat (2.41% to 1.24%), crude fibre (4.41% to 2.91%), Crude protein (2.47% to 2.01%), Ash (5.56% to 3.60%) and Carbohydrate (39.83%). The proximate result at temperature 350C were; moisture (38.83%), crude fat (2.87%), crude fibre (4.27%), Crude protein (2.80%), Ash (5.27%), and Carbohydrate (45.95%). The results obtained highlighted the potential of solid-state fermentation as an effective method for improving the nutritional quality of sorghum stalk enhancing its value as animal feed.

Genome-wide identification of HIPP genes family in sorghum reveals the novel role of SbHIPP40 in accumulation of cadmium.

Productivity enhancement of rabi sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench) through cultivars, manuring and irrigation

Comparative analysis of water-use behavior and drought resilience in selected tropical sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) cultivars

The loss of dopamine due to progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons is the primary cause of neurobehavioral disturbances in Parkinson's disease (PD). Current research focuses on developing neuroprotective agents that can halt the progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in PD, as its cure remains elusive. Several herbal products, including extracts from Sorghum bicolor, which possess neuroprotective properties, are being investigated as potential agents for PD. In this study, we investigated the effects of Sorghum bicolor supplement (SbS) on rotenone-induced neurobehavioral and neuropathological derangements in male Wistar rats. The rats were distributed into six groups (n = 7): group 1 received vehicle (control), group 2 also received vehicle (rotenone-control), group 3-5 had SbS (50, 100 and 200mg/kg) while group 6 received Levodopa-carbidopa (10mg/kg), orally for 28days. In addition, group 2-6 also received intraperitoneal injections of rotenone (2.5mg/kg), 30min after each treatment, on alternate days for 28days. Neurobehavioral functions were evaluated on day 28 using a hanging wire test for motor function, Y-maze for memory, and sucrose splash test for depression. The rats' brain contents of myeloperoxidase, acetylcholinesterase, dopamine, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), caspase-3, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and α-synuclein were determined. Histomorphological changes and dendritic arborizations were assessed. The SbS attenuates motor deficit, memory dysfunction, and depression-like effects in rotenone-treated rats. The supplement modulates myeloperoxidase, acetylcholinesterase, caspase-3, TH, NF-κB, and α-synuclein contents in rotenone-treated rats. Rotenone-induced histomorphological alterations, loss of neuronal cell viability, and dendritic arbors were abrogated by SbS. The findings suggest that SbS attenuates rotenone-induced behavioral deficits in rats through neuroprotective mechanisms and modulation of TH and α-synuclein/NF-kB immunopositive cell expressions.

Abstract The thirteenth century AD was a period that was marked by significant social changes, including the development of a class-based social system and the rise of elite sites like Mapungubwe, which became regional political centers. While substantial gains have been made in understanding MIA agriculture, some problems remain. For one, our knowledge of the spatial distribution and variability of agricultural practices is limited. As a result, this article provides a detailed analysis of macrobotanical assemblages from six archaeological sites located north of the Soutpansberg. Five crop species and 11 wild taxa were identified. Cenchrus americanus, Sorghum bicolor, and Vigna unguiculata were present at most sites. Eleusine coracana was identified from a single site within a higher rainfall zone. Vigna radiata was present at two sites, which attests to the incorporation of this imported crop into the interior. Our study is the first to compare macrobotanical results from communities that occupied different sociopolitical strata within the Mapungubwe world and from different regions. The results shed light on thirteenth-century crops and potential factors that influence plant use, thereby contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the diet and agricultural practices of MIA communities.

Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are formidable pests that impose severe constraints on agricultural productivity, particularly impacting the growth and yield of economically important crops such as tomatoes. This study undertakes a comprehensive examination of biofumigants derived from plants within the Brassicaceae and Non-Brassicaceae families, investigating their potential as environmentally friendly control measures against these nematodes. Specifically, it evaluates the nematicidal efficacy of biofumigants sourced from cabbage (Brassica oleracea), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), and Tagetes (Tagetes spp.) in reducing root-knot nematode populations and enhancing growth-related parameters of tomato plants. The experimental design followed a completely randomized design format, featuring five distinct treatments to ascertain the effects of each biofumigant on nematode suppression and various plant growth metrics, including plant height, leaf count, and root wet weight. This investigation revealed a significant advantage of Brassicaceae-derived biofumigants, with cabbage showing the most potent nematicidal activity, achieving a 60.7% reduction in nematode populations compared to untreated control groups. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), representing the Non-Brassicaceae family, also exhibited promising effects, achieving a 50.9% reduction in nematode presence. By contrast, Tagetes spp. displayed relatively moderate efficacy, with a 30.8% reduction in nematode populations. Notably, while the application of these biofumigants did not lead to statistically significant changes in tomato plant height or leaf count, the results highlight the substantial potential of Brassicaceae-based biofumigants, particularly cabbage, as viable, sustainable, and ecologically sound strategies for managing root-knot nematodes in tomato cultivation. Such biofumigants could offer a promising alternative to chemical nematicides, reducing reliance on synthetic pesticides and fostering sustainable agricultural practices. This study underscores the importance of further research into Brassicaceae-derived biofumigants to optimize their application and maximize their effectiveness in diverse agricultural systems.

Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are formidable pests that impose severe constraints on agricultural productivity, particularly impacting the growth and yield of economically important crops such as tomatoes. This study undertakes a comprehensive examination of biofumigants derived from plants within the Brassicaceae and Non-Brassicaceae families, investigating their potential as environmentally friendly control measures against these nematodes. Specifically, it evaluates the nematicidal efficacy of biofumigants sourced from cabbage (Brassica oleracea), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), and Tagetes (Tagetes spp.) in reducing root-knot nematode populations and enhancing growth-related parameters of tomato plants. The experimental design followed a completely randomized design format, featuring five distinct treatments to ascertain the effects of each biofumigant on nematode suppression and various plant growth metrics, including plant height, leaf count, and root wet weight. This investigation revealed a significant advantage of Brassicaceae-derived biofumigants, with cabbage showing the most potent nematicidal activity, achieving a 60.7% reduction in nematode populations compared to untreated control groups. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), representing the Non-Brassicaceae family, also exhibited promising effects, achieving a 50.9% reduction in nematode presence. By contrast, Tagetes spp. displayed relatively moderate efficacy, with a 30.8% reduction in nematode populations. Notably, while the application of these biofumigants did not lead to statistically significant changes in tomato plant height or leaf count, the results highlight the substantial potential of Brassicaceae-based biofumigants, particularly cabbage, as viable, sustainable, and ecologically sound strategies for managing root-knot nematodes in tomato cultivation. Such biofumigants could offer a promising alternative to chemical nematicides, reducing reliance on synthetic pesticides and fostering sustainable agricultural practices. This study underscores the importance of further research into Brassicaceae-derived biofumigants to optimize their application and maximize their effectiveness in diverse agricultural systems.

Green manuring is the practice of adding cover crops to the soil. The excessive use of chemical fertilizers, intensive farming, faulty cultivation practices, and poor soil management have degraded soil health, necessitating the use of green manure. This study aimed to evaluate the best-performing green manuring crops that enhance soil properties from the first week of April to the first week of July in Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal. The experiment was performed under Randomized complete block design (RCBD) with five treatments and four replications. The treatments were cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.), black gram (Vigna mungo L.), Sesbania (Sesbania aculeata Wild.), mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) and Sudan grass (Sorghum bicolor L.). The biomass yield, soil pH, bulk density, soil organic matter, Total nitrogen, and available phosphorus were measured. The data were analyzed using R-Studio for mean comparison among significant variables using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at a 5% significance level. Sesbania consistently enriched the soil with higher total nitrogen (0.197%), available phosphorus (11.36 kg/ha), soil organic carbon (2.29%), soil carbon stock (40.70 t/ha), low bulk density (1.20 g/cm³), fresh biomass yield (8.25 t/ha), and dry biomass yield (1.62 t/ha). Cowpea emerged as a reliable alternative when Sesbania was not available. However, mung bean and black gram lagged in biomass production and nutrient addition. Sudan grass performed poorly, contributing the least organic matter and available phosphorus. Sesbania, therefore, stands out as the optimal choice, while cowpea serves as a viable substitute when sesbania is unavailable. In addition, leguminous green manuring crops outperformed non-leguminous crops.

Due to the growing resistance of weeds to known herbicides, the search for new bioactive substances has been increasing in recent years. Imides belong to an important class of chemical compounds known to present various biological activities such as herbicide, fungicide, insecticide, and bactericide. In this study, the synthesis, purification, structural elucidation, and bioassays of four pairs of epoxy tetrahydrophthalimides 15a-18a and 15b-18b were conducted. Additionally in silico studies were performed to identify potential biological targets for the synthesized compounds. The target compounds were prepared using a four-step synthetic route that starts with a microwave-assisted Diels-Alder reaction between maleic anhydride and isoprene. All synthesized compounds had their phytotoxicity evaluated using germination tests in Petri dishes against Lactuca sativa, Cucumis sativus, Sorghum bicolor and Bidens pilosa. At concentrations of 500 and 300 μm substance 16a presented inhibition of 70% and 66%, respectively, of the aerial parts of sorghum plants, which is higher than that observed for the commercial herbicide S-metolachlor. Molecular docking studies were performed for compounds 15a, 15b, 17a, and 17b, indicating that they form complexes with the mitogen-activated protein kinase 5R92, which shares similar amino acid sequences with those found in plants. All substances caused inhibition or stimulation of seed growth compared to the control. Some substances caused plant growth inhibition superior or equivalent to the commercial herbicide, denoting these imides for the development of new agrochemicals. In silico studies suggest that mitogen-activated protein kinase may be the target of these compounds. © 2025 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Abstract Drought severely threatens the growth and productivity of cereals, including maize and sorghum. Despite their genetic relatedness, sorghum exhibits better drought tolerance than maize, and the physiological basis behind such differential response is largely unknown. Humic acid (HA) is a stress-relieving biostimulant that can boost drought resilience in plants; however, its mechanism of action remains vague. Herein, the reproductive growth, physiological responses, yield, and grain quality of maize and sorghum under increased field-drought conditions (100%, 80%, and 60% field capacity) and the ameliorative effects of seed priming in HA (100 mg L −1 ) were simultaneously investigated. Drought stress significantly reduced biomass, photosynthetic efficiency, yield traits, and grain quality indices in both species, with sorghum consistently demonstrating smaller reductions. Under severe drought, maize exhibited reductions up to 67.3% in stem dry mass, 68.1% in net photosynthesis, and 63.9% in grain yield, compared to 47.4%, 53.6%, and 54.6% reductions in sorghum, respectively. These differences correlated with lower oxidative damage and higher osmolytes, flavonoids, phenols, and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) in sorghum. HA priming mitigated drought-induced damages and enhanced biomass accumulation, photosynthesis, osmolyte production, non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidants, yield traits, and grain quality indices such as grain carbohydrates, protein, oil, and fatty acid composition in both species, with maize being generally more responsive than sorghum. These findings highlight the distinct physiological responses of maize and sorghum to drought and demonstrate that HA priming is a sustainable approach to improve drought tolerance, productivity, and grain quality in these and potentially other crops in drought-prone lands. Graphical Abstract

Soil contamination by heavy metals, particularly lead (Pb), is a critical environmental concern, affecting soil fertility, agricultural productivity, and human health. Conventional remediation techniques are often costly and environmentally invasive. This study investigates an integrated bioremediation strategy combining the phytoremediation potential of Sorghum bicolor, microbial consortia (Bacillus haynesii and Priestia megaterium) derived from vermicompost, and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) for the remediation of Pb-contaminated soil. The objective is to evaluate the individual and synergistic effects of these approaches on Pb reduction and assess the contribution of bacterial strains in enhancing metal uptake and removal. Alluvial soil, solid waste, and vermicompost were collected for bioremediation assessment. Alluvial soil was analysed for nutrient content and plant growth suitability; solid waste was analysed for heavy metal contamination to establish a realistic Pb concentration for experimental soil contamination; and vermicompost was used as a source of Pb-tolerant bacteria. Physicochemical analysis confirmed elevated Pb levels in the solid waste, which served as the reference matrix for simulating Pb-contaminated soil conditions. In a controlled pot culture experiment, Sorghum bicolor was grown in all treatments. Bioremediation trials included treatments with monocultures and a consortium of B. haynesii and P. megaterium, applied at two inoculum volumes (5mL and 25mL). An additional treatment combined the 25mL microbial consortium with ZnO nanoparticles (0.6mg/kg). These variations were designed to evaluate Pb removal efficiency based on bacterial inoculum, nanoparticle supplementation, and their effect on plant uptake and soil remediation over time. Physicochemical analysis of three distinct sample types alluvial soil, solid waste, and vermicompost-revealed elevated Pb concentrations specifically in the solid waste, which was used as the reference matrix for subsequent bioremediation experiments. The combination of S. bicolor with the microbial consortium (Bacillus haynesii and Priestia megaterium) significantly improved Pb removal compared to monocultures. The addition of ZnO NPs further accelerated Pb reduction, achieving a 98.7% decrease in Pb concentration by Day 30, compared to Day 60 in bacterial-only treatments. S. bicolor served as a bioindicator, and Pb uptake in its tissues was specifically assessed in the highest contamination group (74.7mg/kg) to evaluate translocation and accumulation. The combination of plant, microbes, and ZnO NPs showed the highest overall remediation efficiency. This study highlights the potential of integrating phytoremediation using Sorghum bicolor with microbial consortia and ZnO NPs as an eco-friendly and effective approach for Pb-contaminated soil remediation. The synergistic interaction reduced detoxification time while enhancing Pb removal. However, a limitation of the study is the exclusive use of alluvial soil; future studies should evaluate the effectiveness of this strategy in diverse soil types to improve its field applicability.