Sorghum Bicolor Research Articles (Page 6)

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L) is one type of cereal plant that is a local and national food because it is resistant to disease and can be cultivated on marginal land. The local variety Watar Hammu Miting Tadda comes from East Sumba and has the potential to be developed in the highlands such as Kopeng, Central Java, which has different climate and soil characteristics. This study aims to determine the response of local sorghum Watar Hammu Miting Tadda to nitrogen (N) fertilizer. The study used an experimental method with a Randomized Block Design (RAK), five N fertilizer dose treatments (control; 2.44; 3.69; 4.89; and 6.08 g/plant), and four groups. The parameters observed included plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter, dry stalk weight, panicle length, seed weight per plant, tiled seed weight, and 100 seed weight. The results of the analysis showed that the N fertilizer dose treatment had a very significant effect on plant height at the age of 6 MST, with the highest height obtained at a dose of 6.08 g/plant (104.49 cm). However, the treatment did not significantly affect other parameters, such as seed weight and panicle length. The highest seed weight was recorded at a dose of 3.69 g/plant (302.38 g). This indicates that plant vegetative growth is more responsive to N fertilizer than harvest yields. These results also demonstrate the importance of site-specific nutrient management and the use of adaptive varieties to optimize yields.

BackgroundThe ability to withstand periods of light frost during juvenile development is an important adaptive trait for sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) production in high-latitude temperate areas. Frost tolerance would allow for earlier sowing and prolongation of growing season and maturity, thereby increasing yield potential. Using a broad diversity set (n = 285), a field cold emergence trial and two semi-controlled frost survival experiments were conducted to investigate the phenotypic diversity and genetic architecture of frost survival traits.ResultsThe results show high phenotypic diversity for frost survival, including superior genotypes combining high frost tolerance and cold emergence levels via quantitative trait inheritance. Tolerance to temperatures above and below 0 °C was not correlated, suggesting separate genetic control. The found QTL do not overlap for the traits of frost survival and plant emergence under cold sowing conditions. Genome-wide association studies revealed four significant associations for frost survival, where the QTLs are located on chromosomes Sb02, Sb07, and Sb08. For the trait of emergence under cold sowing conditions, a total of 12 QTLs were found on chromosomes Sb01, Sb03, Sb04, Sb05, and Sb06.ConclusionA good overview regarding the suitability of the tested genotypes for early sowing was obtained due to the large diversity investigated in this study, with surprisingly high survival rates of numerous genotypes after frost stress. These results will contribute to the breeding of cultivars with improved cold and frost tolerance, facilitating better adaptation for production in high-latitude temperate areas, as well as earlier sowing to avoid summer drought.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12870-025-07014-7.

Achieng, J.O., Ouma, G., Odhiambo, G. and Muyekho, F. 2010. Effect of farmyard manure and inorganic fertilizers on maize production on Alfisols and Ultisols in Kakamega, Western Kenya. Agriculture and Biology Journal of North America 1(4): 430–439. Anonymous 2021. Agricultural Statistics at a Glance. Director of Economics and Statistics, Department of agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. 1–272. Anonymous 2022. Agricultural Statistics at a Glance, Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Director of Economics and Statistics. 1–262. Anonymous 2023. Agricultural Statistics at a Glance, Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Director of Economics and Statistics. 1–262. Arnon, D.I. 1949. Copper enzyme in isolated chloroplast, polyphenoloxydase in Beta vulgaris. Plant Physiology 24: 1–15. Biradar, A. and Jayadeva, H.M. 2013. Influence of targeted yield approach on yield, yield attributes, nutrient uptake and economics of maize. Madras Agricultural Journal 100: 146– 149. Chandrawanshi, A., Bagri, P.K. and Karade, R. 2024. Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and yield parameters of maize (Zea mays L.). International Journal of Environment and Climate Change Volume 14(3): 630–637. Goyal, M., Sepat, S., Kaur, R. and Kumar, M. 2024. Assessment of sowing dates and spacing for indogangetic plain zone kharif maize (Zea mays) cultivars to achieve higher productivity in Western IGP. Indian Journal of Agronomy 69(4): 384–390. Jat, M.K., Purohit, H. S., Singh, B., Garhwal, R. S. and Choudhary, M. 2013. Effect of integrated nutrient management on yield and nutrient uptake in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.). Indian Journal of Agronomy 58(4): 543–547. Lavanya, Y., Srinivasan, K. and Muraliarthanari, P. 2024. Impact of weed management strategies on weeds and nutrient uptake of maize. Indian Journal of Agronomy 69(4): 391–396. Madhavi, A., T. Srijaya, P. Babu, S. and Dey, P. 2020. Popularization of STCR Targeted Yield for Optimum Fertilizer Use and Enhanced Yields of Maize Crop through Field Level Demonstrations. International Journal Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences 9(8): 2,209–2,214. Meena, B.P., Kumar, A., Meena, S.R., Dhar, S., Rana, D.S. and Rana, K.S. 2013. Effect of sources and levels of nutrients on growth and yield behavior of popcorn (Zea mays) and potato (Solanum tuberosum) sequence. Indian Journal of Agronomy 58(4): 474–479. Muttappanavar, R.K., Chandrashekara, C.P. and Potdar, M.P. 2022. Growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) as influenced by nutrient management through soil test crop response (STCR) approach at varied Soil Fertility Gradients in Vertisols. Biological Forum–An International Journal 14(2): 1,314–1,322. Parasuraman P. 2008. Studies on integrated nutrient requirement of hybrid maize (Zea mays L.) under irrigated conditions. Madras Agricultural Journal 92(1 and 3): 89–94. Perli, V.H., Tommar, S.S., Kasi, R.G., Deepsikha and Kaushik, M. 2022. Influence of organic manures and bio-fertilizers on the growth and yield of green gram (Vigna radiata L.). The Pharma Innovation Journal 11(6): 141–144. Raghuramakrishnan, M., Sankaran, V.M. and Ramesh, P.T. 2021. Effect of micronutrients and STCR based macronutrients on growth, yield and nutrient uptake of hybrid maize. The Pharma Innovation Journal 10(11): 251–225. Rawat, S., Singh, R.K., Singh, P., Upadhyay, P.K., Shekhawat, K., Sangwan, S., Dash, S., Mondal, B.K. and Shukla, R. 2024. Different nitrogen levels with nano and prilled urea spray on productivity and profitability of maize (Zea mays) in alfisols of Jharkhand. Indian Journal of Agronomy 69(3): 326–329. Reddy, T.Y. and Reddi, G.H.S. 2001. Principle of agronomy, Kalyani Publishe, Ludhiana. Sahoo, P., Singh, T., Saini, K.S. and Kaur, J. 2024. Effect of residue incorporation and INM on productivity of spring maize (Zea mays) in rice (Oryza sativa)-based cropping system. Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences 94(1): 080–085. Shah, S.T.H., Zamir, M.S.I., Waseem, M., Ali, A., Tahir, M. and Khalid, W.A. 2009. Growth and yield response of maize (Zea mays L.) to organic and inorganic sources of nitrogen. Pakistan Journal of Life Social Science 7(2): 108–111. Shekhawat, A.S., Purohit, H.S., Jat, J., Doodwal, K., Aechra, S., Sharma, J.K. and Bamboriya, J.S. 2021. Effect of integrated nutrient management on productivity, quality and economics of maize (Zea mays L.) on typic Haplustepts of Rajasthan. Annals of Plant and Soil Research 23(4): 407–410. Singh, S., Kumar, M. and Singh, V. 2025. Effect of zinc and boron on growth, productivity and quality of maize. Indian Journal of Agronomy 70(1): 34–40. Singh, V.Y., Singh, P., Meena, R.N. and Singh, S. 2020. Fertilizer economy through under soil-test crop response targeted yield model in maize crop in Chandauli district, Uttar Pradesh. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 9(1): 481–483. Singh, Y.V., Bharteey, P.K. and Singh, S.K. 2023. Impact of nutrient management technologies on maize under irrigated Conditions in Chandauli District, Uttar Pradesh. Environment and Ecology 41(3A): 1,606–1,612 Wailare, A.T. and Kesarwani, A. 2017. Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and yield parameters of maize (Zea mays L.) as well as soil physico-chemical properties. Biomedica Journal of Scientific and Technical Research 1(2):294–299.

Achieng, J.O., Ouma, G., Odhiambo, G. and Muyekho, F. 2010. Effect of farmyard manure and inorganic fertilizers on maize production on Alfisols and Ultisols in Kakamega, Western Kenya. Agriculture and Biology Journal of North America 1(4): 430–439. Anonymous 2021. Agricultural Statistics at a Glance. Director of Economics and Statistics, Department of agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. 1–272. Anonymous 2022. Agricultural Statistics at a Glance, Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Director of Economics and Statistics. 1–262. Anonymous 2023. Agricultural Statistics at a Glance, Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Director of Economics and Statistics. 1–262. Arnon, D.I. 1949. Copper enzyme in isolated chloroplast, polyphenoloxydase in Beta vulgaris. Plant Physiology 24: 1–15. Biradar, A. and Jayadeva, H.M. 2013. Influence of targeted yield approach on yield, yield attributes, nutrient uptake and economics of maize. Madras Agricultural Journal 100: 146– 149. Chandrawanshi, A., Bagri, P.K. and Karade, R. 2024. Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and yield parameters of maize (Zea mays L.). International Journal of Environment and Climate Change Volume 14(3): 630–637. Goyal, M., Sepat, S., Kaur, R. and Kumar, M. 2024. Assessment of sowing dates and spacing for indogangetic plain zone kharif maize (Zea mays) cultivars to achieve higher productivity in Western IGP. Indian Journal of Agronomy 69(4): 384–390. Jat, M.K., Purohit, H. S., Singh, B., Garhwal, R. S. and Choudhary, M. 2013. Effect of integrated nutrient management on yield and nutrient uptake in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.). Indian Journal of Agronomy 58(4): 543–547. Lavanya, Y., Srinivasan, K. and Muraliarthanari, P. 2024. Impact of weed management strategies on weeds and nutrient uptake of maize. Indian Journal of Agronomy 69(4): 391–396. Madhavi, A., T. Srijaya, P. Babu, S. and Dey, P. 2020. Popularization of STCR Targeted Yield for Optimum Fertilizer Use and Enhanced Yields of Maize Crop through Field Level Demonstrations. International Journal Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences 9(8): 2,209–2,214. Meena, B.P., Kumar, A., Meena, S.R., Dhar, S., Rana, D.S. and Rana, K.S. 2013. Effect of sources and levels of nutrients on growth and yield behavior of popcorn (Zea mays) and potato (Solanum tuberosum) sequence. Indian Journal of Agronomy 58(4): 474–479. Muttappanavar, R.K., Chandrashekara, C.P. and Potdar, M.P. 2022. Growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) as influenced by nutrient management through soil test crop response (STCR) approach at varied Soil Fertility Gradients in Vertisols. Biological Forum–An International Journal 14(2): 1,314–1,322. Parasuraman P. 2008. Studies on integrated nutrient requirement of hybrid maize (Zea mays L.) under irrigated conditions. Madras Agricultural Journal 92(1 and 3): 89–94. Perli, V.H., Tommar, S.S., Kasi, R.G., Deepsikha and Kaushik, M. 2022. Influence of organic manures and bio-fertilizers on the growth and yield of green gram (Vigna radiata L.). The Pharma Innovation Journal 11(6): 141–144. Raghuramakrishnan, M., Sankaran, V.M. and Ramesh, P.T. 2021. Effect of micronutrients and STCR based macronutrients on growth, yield and nutrient uptake of hybrid maize. The Pharma Innovation Journal 10(11): 251–225. Rawat, S., Singh, R.K., Singh, P., Upadhyay, P.K., Shekhawat, K., Sangwan, S., Dash, S., Mondal, B.K. and Shukla, R. 2024. Different nitrogen levels with nano and prilled urea spray on productivity and profitability of maize (Zea mays) in alfisols of Jharkhand. Indian Journal of Agronomy 69(3): 326–329. Reddy, T.Y. and Reddi, G.H.S. 2001. Principle of agronomy, Kalyani Publishe, Ludhiana. Sahoo, P., Singh, T., Saini, K.S. and Kaur, J. 2024. Effect of residue incorporation and INM on productivity of spring maize (Zea mays) in rice (Oryza sativa)-based cropping system. Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences 94(1): 080–085. Shah, S.T.H., Zamir, M.S.I., Waseem, M., Ali, A., Tahir, M. and Khalid, W.A. 2009. Growth and yield response of maize (Zea mays L.) to organic and inorganic sources of nitrogen. Pakistan Journal of Life Social Science 7(2): 108–111. Shekhawat, A.S., Purohit, H.S., Jat, J., Doodwal, K., Aechra, S., Sharma, J.K. and Bamboriya, J.S. 2021. Effect of integrated nutrient management on productivity, quality and economics of maize (Zea mays L.) on typic Haplustepts of Rajasthan. Annals of Plant and Soil Research 23(4): 407–410. Singh, S., Kumar, M. and Singh, V. 2025. Effect of zinc and boron on growth, productivity and quality of maize. Indian Journal of Agronomy 70(1): 34–40. Singh, V.Y., Singh, P., Meena, R.N. and Singh, S. 2020. Fertilizer economy through under soil-test crop response targeted yield model in maize crop in Chandauli district, Uttar Pradesh. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 9(1): 481–483. Singh, Y.V., Bharteey, P.K. and Singh, S.K. 2023. Impact of nutrient management technologies on maize under irrigated Conditions in Chandauli District, Uttar Pradesh. Environment and Ecology 41(3A): 1,606–1,612 Wailare, A.T. and Kesarwani, A. 2017. Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and yield parameters of maize (Zea mays L.) as well as soil physico-chemical properties. Biomedica Journal of Scientific and Technical Research 1(2):294–299.

Breeding programs often overlook the use of root traits. Therefore, we investigated the relevance of sorghum root traits in explaining its adaptation to combined drought and heat stress (CDHS). Six (i.e., three pre-release lines + three checks) sorghum genotypes were established at two low-altitude (i.e., <600 masl) locations with a long-term history of averagely very high temperatures in the beginning of the summer season, under two management (i.e., CDHS and well-watered (WW)) regimes. At each location, the genotypes were laid out in the field using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated two times. Root trait data, namely root diameter (RD), number of roots (NR), number of root tips (NRT), total root length (TRL), root depth (RDP), root width (RW), width–depth ratio (WDR), root network area (RNA), root solidity (RS), lower root area (LRA), root perimeter (RP), root volume (RV), surface area (SA), root holes (RH) and root angle (RA) were gathered using the RhizoVision Explorer software during the pre- and post-flowering stage of growth. RSA traits differentially showed significant (p < 0.05) correlations with grain yield (GY) at pre- and post-flowering growth stages and under CDHS and WW conditions also revealing genotypic variation estimates exceeding 50% for all the traits. Regression models varied between pre-flowering (p = 0.013, R2 = 47.15%, R2 Predicted = 29.32%) and post-flowering (p = 0.000, R2 = 85.64%, R2 Predicted = 73.30%) growth stages, indicating post-flowering as the optimal stage to relate root traits to yield performance. RD contributed most to the regression model at post-flowering, explaining 51.79% of the 85.64% total variation. The Smith–Hazel index identified ICSV111IN and ASAREACA12-3-1 as superior pre-release lines, suitable for commercialization as new varieties. The study demonstrated that root traits (in particular, RD, RW, and RP) are linked to crop performance under CDHS conditions and should be incorporated in breeding programs. This approach may accelerate genetic gains not only in sorghum breeding programs, but for other crops, while offering a nature-based breeding strategy for stress adaptation in crops.

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is a resilient cereal crop with high potential as a source of food, feed, and bioenergy. This study investigates the effect of applying rice husk biochar and liquid organic fertilizer (POC) from cow urine on the sugar and fiber content of sorghum seeds. The experiment was conducted in two phases: field trials using a randomized block design with nine treatment combinations (3 biochar doses × 3 POC doses) and laboratory analysis of sugar and fiber contents. Results show that the application of 4 t/ha biochar and 750 ml/L cow urine POC produced the highest yield in terms of seed weight per plot (0.36 t/ha) and total production. However, the highest sugar content (63.32%) was obtained in the control biochar treatment with 250 ml/L POC, suggesting that lower POC doses are more effective in enhancing sugar concentration. Fiber content showed no statistically significant differences among treatments, although a tendency for increased fiber was observed at moderate POC doses. These findings highlight the potential of using rice husk biochar and cow urine POC to improve sorghum productivity and nutritional quality while supporting sustainable and organic agricultural practices.

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is a very important cereal crop cultivated globally, primarily in arid and semi-arid regions. It ranks fifth among the most important cereal crops globally, after wheat, rice, maize, and barley. Despite its crucial role in food security and climate resilience in arid and semi-arid regions, sorghum production remains suboptimal, with yields consistently falling below the crop’s genetic potential. Understanding its morphological diversity is essential for effective breeding programs and genetic resource conservation. This study aimed to determine valuable morphological variation among selected sorghum genotypes against released varieties using a diverse set of traits and their correlations. The experiment was laid out using a Randomised Complete Block Design with three replications using 13 genotypes sourced from the University of Eldoret, and 03 checks from the Kenya Seed Company in Kenya. The genotypes were grown in Endebess and Sigor for one season and evaluated based on morphological traits. Using GenStat statistical software 14th Edition, data on qualitative and quantitative traits were analysed at 5% level of significance. The significant differences among the sorghum genotypes were tested using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Correlation Matrices, first, second and third principal component (PCA) were performed. Principal component analysis revealed the three most important PCs that contributed 81.78%, 15.33% and 1.5% of the total variation, respectively. At the Endebess site, grain yield exhibited the highest genotypic variation among the evaluated sorghum genotypes. E1291 recorded the longest leaves (67.87 cm), whereas Kalatur exhibited the shortest (36.13 cm). Moreover, mean comparisons between the two environments showed that Sigor recorded a higher mean grain yield (2.01 t ha⁻¹) compared to Elgon Downs (1.73 t ha⁻¹). Plant height (0.889) was the trait that contributed most to the variation in the first PC. Number of days to harst (0.814) contributed most to the variation in the second PC, whereas leaf length (0.842) was the largest contributor to the variation observed in the third PC. Correlation analysis showed significant positive relationships between 50% days to emergence to 50% days to flowering and days to maturity (r=0.7 and r=0.9), respectively, suggesting that these traits can be used as selection criteria in breeding programs. The frequency distribution analysis indicated a high occurrence of pigmented leaves (93.75%) and brown grain colour (68.75%), reflecting the natural variability within the studied population. The phenotypic evaluation of sixteen sorghum genotypes revealed significant agro-morphological diversity, confirming the genetic variability. These findings support informed selection and genetic improvement to boost yield and stress resilience in sorghum breeding for Kenya and similar regions.

The review summarizes the historical and current research on perennial grain breeding in Russia within the context of growing global interest in perennial crops. N.V. Tsitsin’s pioneering work in the 1930s produced the first wheat–wheatgrass amphiploids, which demonstrated the capacity to regrow after harvest and survive for 2–3 years. Subsequent research at the Main Botanical Garden in Moscow focused on characterizing Tsitsin’s material, selecting superior germplasm, and expanding genetic diversity through new cycles of hybridization and selection. This work led to the development of a new crop species, Trititrigia, and the release of cultivar ‘Pamyati Lyubimovoy’ in 2020, designed for dual-purpose production of high-quality grain and green biomass. Intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium) is native to Russia, where several forage cultivars have been released and cultivated. Two large-grain cultivars (Sova and Filin) were developed from populations provided by the Land Institute and are now grown by farmers. Perennial rye was developed through interspecific crosses between Secale cereale and S. montanum, demonstrating persistence for 2–3 years with high biomass production and grain yields of 1.5–2.0 t/ha. Hybridization between Sorghum bicolor and S. halepense resulted in two released cultivars of perennial sorghum used primarily for forage production under arid conditions. Russia’s agroclimatic diversity in agricultural production systems provides significant opportunities for perennial crop development. The broader scientific and practical implications of perennial crops in Russia extend to climate-resilient, sustainable agriculture and international cooperation in this emerging field.

This article studies the effects of inter-row tillage, organic and mineral fertilizer application before sowing and after germination of sweet sorghum varieties Oranjevoe-160 and Sorghum bicolor L. (F-138) on the stem height, number of leaves, number of nodes, and tiller formation of the plant during the entire vegetation period when the local Oranjevoe-160 and foreign Sorghum bicolor L. (F-138) varieties are planted in the low-saline soils of the Kashkadarya region.

Xylan, the most abundant non-cellulosic polymer in plant cell walls, is structurally diverse, especially in grasses where it is heavily substituted with arabinofuranose and further modified by various residues. Common substitutions across species include glucuronic and 4- O -methyl-glucuronic acid. Arabinose and xylose sidechains are synthesized by glycosyltransferase family 61 (GT61) proteins, many of which remain uncharacterized in plants, with limited structural and mechanistic understanding. In this study, we identified two novel GT61 enzymes in Sorghum bicolor , functioning as xylan arabinosyltransferase (SbXAT) and xylan xylosyltransferase (SbXXT). We resolved the crystal structure of SbXAT, which exhibits a GT-B fold with two Rossmann-like domains linked by a cleft that accommodates the catalytic site. Structural comparison with a predicted SbXXT model revealed a substrate-binding residue critical for sugar donor specificity, validated through site-directed mutagenesis and enzymatic assays. These findings enhance understanding of xylan biosynthesis and provide a foundation for engineering glycosyltransferases and predicting their functions.

The potential of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) as antioxidant and antidiabetic agent: a bibliometric study

Proximate Composition and Anti-Nutritional Factor of Different Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) Varieties

Sorghum bicolor is a drought- and heat-tolerant cereal widely cultivated in arid regions. However, like other important grasses, it is susceptible to ergot disease caused by Claviceps species, which infect ovary tissues and reduce grain yield. To combat this disease, targeted biotechnological strategies are needed. In this study, we conducted a genome-wide identification and classification of lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) in S. bicolor, uncovering 68 putative genes grouped into five families. In silico analyses of gene expression and promoter sequences identified two LTP genes, SbLTP1.4 and SbLTP1.5, as strong candidates for flower-specific biotechnological applications. Their promoters were functionally tested in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana, revealing distinct spatial and stress-responsive expression profiles. The SbLTP1.4 promoter was active in stigmas, floral peduncles, styles, and young leaves, and was strongly induced by both biotic and abiotic stress. In contrast, SbLTP1.5 promoter displayed low and stigma-specific expression, with no detectable stress responsiveness. Promoter analysis also revealed conserved transcription factor binding sites across orthologous genes in other economically important grasses, supporting the potential transferability of this strategy to related species. These findings introduce novel tissue-specific promoters for the targeted expression of antimicrobial proteins in reproductive tissues, offering a promising tool to control Claviceps infections and enhance crop resilience in cereals and forage grasses.

This study aims to understand the effect of inoculation by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Glomus intraradices (AMF) on the regulation of carbon and nitrogen sensibility and the antioxidant system in Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench plants under lead (Pb) stress (750ppm). Plant morphology, accumulation of lead, IAA, H2O2, MDA, and chlorophyll contents were assayed. The enzymes involved in the carbon/nitrogen interaction as well as the antioxidant enzymes were evaluated via a two-factor pot experiment (inoculation by AMF and stress by Pb). AMFs attenuate Pb damage by upregulating the antioxidant system: superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione s-transferase (GST), and glutathione reductase (GR). Similarly, the activity of each of the key enzymes responsible for the interaction of nitrogen and carbon metabolic pathways, glutamine synthetase (GS), glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC), and aspartate aminotransferase (AAT), were measured and showed a significant increase in mycorrhizal plants. AMF inoculation decreased H2O2 and MDA content and increased the indole acetic acid (IAA) content, which indicates that mycorrhizal inoculation has a great ability to attenuate Pb resistance. Pb stress also negatively affected plant growth by disrupting carbon and nitrogen enzymatic pathways as well as the antioxidant system. Therefore, inoculation with AMFs reduced Pb fullness by decreasing its accumulation in sorghum leaves and roots and regulating the enzymatic system involved in plant growth.

IntroductionConventional treatments, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are widely used for the treatment of dysmenorrhea but are often associated with side effects, necessitating the search for alternative therapies. This study investigates the antioxidant and hormonal effects of selected Nigerian medicinal plants—Aristolochia littoralis, Picralima nitida, Sorghum bicolor, Spondias mombin, and Xylopia aethiopica—traditionally used for dysmenorrhea management.MethodsPhytochemical screening was carried out to confirm the presence of bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, and phenolic acids. Antioxidant assays, including DPPH, FRAP, and nitric oxide scavenging assays, were conducted to evaluate the free radical scavenging activities of the plant extracts. Additionally, an in vivo study was performed using female Wistar rats to assess the effects of the extracts on key reproductive hormones—luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and estradiol (E2)—as well as lipid profiles, including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C).Results and discussionSignificant antioxidant activity of S. bicolor is 69.55 ± 6.96% DPPH inhibition at 1,000 μg/mL. The FRAP assay showed a strong reducing capacity in X. aethiopica is 4.71 ± 0.14 mg/mL. In the NO scavenging assay, P. nitida (186.88 ± 0.78 μM) and S. fistula (190.91 ± 4.38 μM) displayed notable activity. All examined plant extracts have increased estradiol levels significantly compared to the untreated group. Lipid profile analysis showed improved cardiovascular markers, with A. littoralis exhibiting the highest HDL/LDL ratio (1.394 ± 0.014) and X. aethiopica showing the lowest total cholesterol levels (2.276 ± 0.129 mmol/L). The GSH assay further presented S. mombin as having the highest GSH concentration (0.190 ± 0.034 mM), indicating enhanced antioxidant defense. The most active plants regarding the evaluated parameters were S. mombin, S. bicolor, A. littoralis, and X. aethiopica, based on antioxidant, hormonal, and lipid profile assays. These results provide strong pharmacological support for their traditional use in dysmenorrhea management and suggest that they could be valuable in developing plant-based therapies. Future studies should assess additional oxidative markers, explore long-term treatment effects, and work toward the standardization of these medicinal extracts as supplementary therapy for cancers in premenopausal women.

The synthesis of nanomaterials has recently shifted toward environmentally benign approaches that mitigate the drawbacks of conventional chemical methods. In this context, plant-mediated green synthesis offers a sustainable and versatile alternative for producing nanoparticles with unique physicochemical properties and diverse applications. This study presents the green synthesis of hematite iron oxide nanoparticles (α-Fe2O3 NPs) using aqueous leaf extracts of Sorghum bicolor. The resulting nanoparticles were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). XRD analysis confirmed the formation of a crystalline rhombohedral hematite phase with an average crystallite size of 46.8 nm. SEM and TEM images revealed predominantly spherical particles with evident agglomeration, while EDX analysis confirmed iron (Fe) and oxygen (O) as the primary elemental constituents. Antioxidant activity assessed via the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay showed a concentration-dependent radical scavenging effect, with higher α-Fe2O3 NP concentrations required to achieve 50% inhibition. Cytotoxicity studies on HeLa (cancer) and HEK293 (normal) cell lines indicated selective toxicity, with the nanoparticles preferentially affecting cancer cells while sparing healthy ones. Although the α-Fe2O3 NPs exhibited lower potency compared to the standard chemotherapeutic agent 5-fluorouracil, their concentration-dependent reduction in cell viability supports the hypothesis that cancer cells are particularly vulnerable to disruptions in iron homeostasis. This cost-effective and eco-friendly synthesis method underscores the potential of Sorghum bicolor-mediated α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles for future biomedical applications.

The primary objective of this study is to explore how different packaging bag types affect the storage duration of sorghum seeds during the post-harvest phase of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.). The storage process plays a pivotal role in determining the quality of sorghum seeds until they are ultimately consumed. This significance arises from the heightened risk of fungal infestation during this stage, primarily influenced by storage conditions, including the type of packaging utilized. The research involves identifying fungi, specifically belonging to the Aspergillus sp. group, known for their association with storage fungi. These fungi were directly isolated from dried sorghum seeds. The study follows a descriptive methodology, and data analysis is performed using SPSS Descriptive. The presence of fungi from the Aspergillus sp. group in all sorghum samples suggests that the chosen packaging was ineffective in safeguarding the sorghum seeds during storage.

Abstract Drought is a severe abiotic stress that significantly limits crop production in sub‐Saharan Africa. Different sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) genotypes respond differently to pre‐flowering and post‐flowering drought stresses. In Ethiopia, post‐flowering has significant influence on yield reduction. The aim of this study was to assess the response of 216 sorghum accessions under post‐flowering drought stress and non‐stress conditions. The experiment was conducted at Melkassa Agricultural Research Center and Werer Agricultural Research Center in Ethiopia, using a row‐column design with two replications under stress and non‐stress conditions. The results from both sites indicated a significant difference among accessions in both water‐stress and well‐water regimes, suggesting that the tested accessions were diverse. While the phenotypic variance was higher than the genetic variance for all characters under study, the narrow range of difference indicated that most of the characters were less influenced by the environment. Stress tolerance index, mean productivity, geometric mean productivity, harmonic mean productivity, and yield index were identified as appropriate indices to select drought‐tolerant sorghum accessions. The data from both sites on drought tolerance indices showed that drought stress in sorghum can significantly reduce grain yield. Selection by these indices can help identify a genotype with desirable yield in both stress and non‐stress conditions. Based on significant associated indices, cluster analysis showed that the accessions tended to group into four clusters: tolerant, semi‐tolerant, semi‐sensitive, and sensitive. Among all accessions, Acc#222888, Acc#28546, and Acc#216739 were identified as the most drought‐tolerant in both research sites, and they might be a potential source of genetic material for drought tolerance. The study highlights the importance of evaluating sorghum genotypes for post‐flowering drought resistance under different irrigation conditions to identify potential sources of genetic material for breeding programs aimed at developing drought‐tolerant sorghum varieties.

The sorghum aphid (Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner, 1897)), a globally destructive pest, severely compromises sorghum yield and quality. This study compared aphid-resistant (HX133) and aphid-susceptible (HX37) sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) cultivars, revealing that HX133 significantly suppressed aphid proliferation through repellent and antibiotic effects, while aphid populations increased continuously in HX37. Transcriptome analysis identified 2802 differentially expressed genes (DEGs, 45.9% upregulated) in HX133 at 24 h post-infestation, in contrast with only 732 DEGs (21% upregulated) in HX37. Pathway enrichment highlighted shikimate-mediated phenylpropanoid/flavonoid biosynthesis and glutathione metabolism as central to HX133’s defense response, alongside photosynthesis-related pathways common to both cultivars. qRT-PCR validation confirmed activation of the shikimate pathway in HX133, driving the synthesis of dhurrin—a cyanogenic glycoside critical for aphid resistance—and other tyrosine-derived metabolites (e.g., benzyl isoquinoline alkaloids, tocopherol). These findings demonstrate that HX133 employs multi-layered metabolic regulation, particularly dhurrin accumulation, to counteract aphid infestation, whereas susceptible cultivars exhibit limited defense induction. This work provides molecular targets for enhancing aphid resistance in sorghum breeding programs.

Biogas slurry (BGS), a nutrient-rich by-product of anaerobic digestion, presents a promising opportunity for sustainable agriculture on sandy soils. This review explores the agronomic potential of using BGS for improving sorghum’s (Sorghum bicolor) productivity by enhancing soil fertility and the nutrient availability. It focuses on the sources and properties of BGS, its application methods, and their effects on the soil nutrient dynamics and crop productivity. The findings indicate that BGS improves the soil health and crop yields, offering an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic fertilizers, especially in resource-limited settings. Despite these benefits, research gaps persist, including the need for long-term field trials, the optimization of application strategies for sandy soils, and comprehensive economic evaluations. Additionally, concerns such as nutrient imbalances, phosphorus accumulation, and slurry composition variability must be addressed. This review recommends standardizing BGS nutrient profiling and adopting site-specific management practices to maximize its agronomic benefits and environmental safety. Integrating BGS into sustainable soil fertility programs could contribute significantly to achieving agricultural resilience and circular economy goals.