Sorghum Cultivars Research Articles

Identification of SNPs and Candidate Genes Associated with Salt Stress in Two Korean Sorghum Cultivars and Understanding Selection Pressures in the Breeding Process

One of the abiotic stresses, salt stress, has an impact on the production and development of crops around the world. Sorghum is a functional genomics model crop of C4 plants due to its small genome size, and it is suitable for providing a clue to the mechanism associated with salt tolerance at the transcriptomic level. However, the mechanism of salt-related genes in sorghum has not been well described. RNA sequencing, using QuantSeq, was performed on two Korean cultivars, ‘Sodamchal’ and ‘Nampungchal’, which are known to have different intensities in response to salt stress, between a control and high-salinity treatment over a different time-course. In addition, physiological responses such as the proline, anthocyanin, chlorophyll, and reducing sugar contents were evaluated under the salt-stress treatment between these two sorghum cultivars. Moreover, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the Nampungchal and Sodamchal cultivars were identified in their leaves and roots, respectively. Moreover, the function of DEGs was confirmed through GO classification and KEGG pathway. We also analyzed the correlation between the selection pressure with DEGs by identifying Ka/Ks of DEGs. In the breeding process, the role of positive or negative selected genes was analyzed. Therefore, a new hypothesis on selection pressure was proposed from the breeding perspective of cultivars. A comparative analysis of the two sorghum cultivars provides candidate genes involved in the salt-stress response and may offer a better understanding of the salt-tolerance mechanism in sorghum.

Development of functional resins with kafirin obtained with a food-compatible method for application in the baking industry

ABSTRACT The evaluation of different methods for kafirin extraction was made to obtain techno-functional concentrates from two sorghum cultivars. The concentrates were rheologically evaluated in a “dough-like” resin system to assess their potential as a gluten substitute. Under acidic extractions (ethanol 70%, pH 2.5), yields of 56.98% and 46.31% for white (WS) and red sorghum (RS) were obtained, with the highest purity for WS (74.54%). A characteristic electrophoretic pattern was obtained for kafirins, including fractions α1, α2, β and γ. The WS protein was used to prepare resins with lactic acid (LA) as a plasticizing agent, showing similar extensibility to zein (11.37 vs. 11.89 mm respectively) but below wheat gluten (42.61 mm). The microstructure of kafirin resins showed air encapsulation and alignment as fibers. This study allowed to explore new food-compatible extractions for kafirin and evaluate how they will perform rheologically at the kneading stage using a simple resin method.

Potential of sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) cultivars under different water regimes for some agronomic performances, juice yield and related traits

Continued evaluation for drought tolerance on crops with high potential is an important factor in mitigating the effects of climate change and in the long run secure enough food and alleviate world hunger. Sweet sorghum is one of the multifunctional crops which has shown potential as food, industrial and bioenergy source, thus it is important to study its potential under various conditions. A pot study was conducted in early rainy season (March-August 2020), the experiment was arranged 3 × 2 factorial in RCBD with four replications. Factor A was 3 water regimes (FC, 2/3AW and 1/3AW), factor B was two sweet sorghum cultivars [cv. Suwan Sweet Extra (Thai sweet sorghum) and SSV74 (imported from India)]. The results revealed that significant differences were not observed among water regimes in most traits i.e. plant height, stalk diameter, relative water content (RWC), stalk fresh weight and juice yield in harvesting day. This could suggest that sweet sorghum will perform well in any moisture condition, most importantly in lesser moisture environments. Significant differences were observed among sweet sorghum cultivars in several traits i.e. spad chlorophyll meter reading (SCMR), chlorophyll content, brix value, root dry weight, juice yield and R/S ration at harvesting day. Relationship among traits were also observed but the most interesting results was where we found juice yield having negative correlation to brix value (r=-0.736***) and another no correlation was observed between stalk weight and juice

Exploring the potential of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) for improving health-promoting phytochemicals in sorghum

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can change plants' biochemical and molecular pathways. This action significantly enhances the production and accumulation of different secondary compounds in different parts of the plants. This study evaluated the impact of the Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) on the phytochemical compounds and antioxidant activities of four sorghum cultivars Hakika, P954063, Tabat, and Tetron. The total phenolic, flavonoid, carotenoids, and tannin concentrations were significantly (P ​< ​0.05) higher in AMF ​+ ​sorghum grain for all cultivars. Additionally, the antioxidant activities of DPPH, TRP, and FRAP were also greater in sorghum grain cultivars inoculated with the AMF. The total phenolic, flavonoid, carotenoids, and tannin concentrations were significantly (P ​< ​0.05) higher in AMF ​+ ​sorghum grain for all cultivars. They were found to be 30.8 (mg GAE/g), 18.3 (mg CE/g), 5.5 (mg CE/g) and 3.4 (μg/g), respectively. Additionally, the antioxidant activities DPPH (6.1 ​mg Trolox/g), TRP (14.1 ​mg AAE/g), and FRAP (16.3 ​mg Trolox/g) were also greater in sorghum grain cultivars inoculated with the AMF. The partial least squares regression indicated that AMF+ was most valid in increasing the phytochemicals and antioxidants, particularly for sorghum cultivar Tetron grown in White Nile. The enhancement in the accumulation of the content of the phenolic compounds and the antioxidant activity of sorghum grains after AMF+ is a positive indicator of the effectiveness of this inoculation and could be a practical tool to improve sorghum health-promoting compounds.

Host plant resistance, foliar insecticide application and natural enemies play a role in the management of Melanaphis sorghi (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in grain sorghum.

The invasive Melanaphis sorghi (Theobald; =Melanaphis sacchari Zehntner) is a serious pest of sorghum production in the southern USA. Demonstration of technologies that provide effective control is key to management of this pest. Here, we investigated the effect of host plant resistance (resistant cultivar: DKS37-07 and susceptible cultivar: DKS53-53) and a single foliar insecticide (flupyradifurone: Sivanto Prime) application on M. sorghi infestations and the role of natural enemy populations in grain sorghum production across five locations in four states in southeastern USA. Foliar insecticide application significantly suppressed M. sorghi infestations on both the resistant and susceptible sorghum cultivars across all locations. Planting the host plant resistant cultivar (DKS37-07) significantly reduced aphid infestation across all locations. Plant damage ratings did not vary widely, but there was generally a positive association between aphid counts and observed plant damage, suggesting that increasing aphid numbers resulted in corresponding increase in plant damage. Planting a host plant resistant cultivar and foliar insecticide application generally preserved grain yield. Both sorghum hybrids supported an array of different life stages of natural enemies (predators [lady beetle larvae and adults; hoverfly larvae and lacewing larvae] and parasitoids [a braconid and aphelinid]) for both the sprayed and non-sprayed treatments. We found a strong and significant positive relationship between the natural enemies and the M. sorghi infestation. Results suggest that planting a host plant resistant cultivar and the integration of natural enemies with insecticide control methods in the management of M. sorghi is central to the development of an effective pest management strategy against this invasive pest.

Response of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) cultivars to nitrogen in non-traditional areas of Bihar

A field experiment was conducted at the research farm of ICAR-Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna, Bihar during summer season of 2017 and 2018 to assess the production potential of grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) cultivars as influenced by nitrogen levels. Treatments consisting 4 nitrogen levels (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg/ha) as main-plot and 09 sorghum cultivars including 5 hybrids (CSH 13, CSH 14, CSH 16, CSH 25 and CSH 30) and 04 varieties (CSV 15, CSV 20, CSV 23 and CSV 27) as sub-plot, were replicated thrice in a split-plot design. Results revealed that increasing levels of nitrogen from 40–120 kg/ha brought significant improvement in yield attributes and yield over control. Application of 120 kg N/ha produced a maximum grain yield (4.82 t/ha) and net returns (`79.5×103 /ha). Amidst cultivars, CSH 30 recorded significantly higher grain yield (4.92 t/ha), net returns (`82.3×103/ha), benefit-cost ratio (3.34) and economic efficiency (`843 ha/day). Hence, sorghum cultivar CSH 30 grown along with 120 kg N/ha was proved significantly better in terms of crop productivity and profitability in summer season, and may be adapted as choice of viable alternative in non-traditional area of eastern India.

Morpho-physiological Responses of Sorghum Cultivars to Drought Stress

The experiment was carried out to assess the following objectives: (i) To understand the effect of drought stress on plant height and leaf area in diverse sorghum genotypes. (ii) To study the alterations in chlorophyll index and yield components under drought stress. (iii) To correlate yield with all morpho-physiological traits to understand drought tolerance mechanism of sorghum. Screening experiment was carried out in Augmented design I during April 2022 to July 2022 at Rain Out Shelter (ROS), Department of Crop Physiology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. 33 germplasms from Agricultural Research Station, Kovilpatti (ARS, Kovilpatti) and Indian Council of Agricultural Research- Indian Institute of Millet Research, Hyderabad (ICAR-IIMR, Hyderabad) were collected. Among 33, M35-1, K -12, CSV 27 and CSV 29-R were used as checks, where all the germplasms were cultivated with two treatments under field conditions; T1: (Control) well watered throughout life cycle, T2: Two weeks of drought stress (50%) at booting stage. Traits such as plant height and leaf area, were recorded before and after imposing drought. Chlorophyll index, ear head weight, ear head length, grain yield, total dry matter production, harvest index were recorded after imposing drought stress in control and drought stress. Under drought stress morpho-physiological and yield traits significantly reduced compared to control. There was a significant positive correlation of yield under stress with all the morpho-physiological traits. Among ICAR-IIMR sorghum germplasm collections screened for drought stress tolerance PEC 14, PEC 17, PEC31, PEC 34 EP 90 showed drought tolerance on par with the checks. Similarly, TKSV 1036, TKSV 1707, TKSV 1801, TKSV 1802 germplasms from ARS, Kovilpatti were tolerant to drought stress at booting stage.

Indicadores econômicos para produção de etanol proveniente de culturas amiláceas sob diferentes manejos de irrigação

ABSTRACT The study aims to quantify the production costs of maize and sorghum crops under rainfed and irrigated conditions for the generation of ethanol and to evaluate the economic feasibility in different scenarios of marketing price. Two experiments were carried out in the years 2019/2020 and 2020/2021, in an experimental area at the Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. The experiment was in strip plots, in a randomized block design and four replicates. Three irrigation depths, 0, 50 and 100% of the reference evapotranspiration (ETo), as first factor, and two maize cultivars and one grain sorghum cultivar as second factor, using 45 scenarios. The use of full irrigation (100% of ETo) reduces the production costs of the liter of ethanol by 15 and 17.89% and increases ethanol production by 44.18 and 48.25% for maize and grain sorghum crops, respectively. For the market price of R$ 2.00 L-1, the grain sorghum does not show good performance, with negative net present value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR). The sale price of R$ 4.00 L-1 and full irrigation is the best economic scenario, with values of NPV of R$ 90,356.93, IRR of 33.83%, benefit/cost ratio (B/C) of 2.28, profitability index (PI) of 3.99 and payback of three years. Maize is economically viable for ethanol production in all scenarios. Full irrigation and market price of R$ 4.00 L-1 represent the best economic scenario, with mean values for NPV of R$ 204,381.68, IRR of 63.35%, B/C of 2.96, PI of 8.67 and payback of 1.58 years, among the cultivars.

Aromaticity of secondary products as the marker for sweet sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] genotype and environment effects

Although data analytics and systems modeling are increasingly being utilized to interpret genotype × environment interactions in plant breeding, chemometrics is currently underutilized. Prior reports indicated correlations between redox-active polyphenols in stem juice of sweet sorghum [ Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] and its resistance against sugarcane aphid [ Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner)]. However, such correlations are often confounded by the outperforming genotype (outlier in correlations) capable of accumulating several-fold higher secondary metabolites than other cultivars examined. To investigate the underlying chemical characteristics responsible for the pest resistance, this study first employed principal component analysis (PCA) as the exploratory analysis to visualize the primary factors affecting genotype and environmental (April, May, and June planting months) dependence of juice extracted from 24 sweet sorghum cultivars. Chemical parameters arising from redox reactivity were primarily responsible for distinguishing a resistant genotype. The distance of dendrogram based on the genotype-dependent electrochemistry (cyclic voltammetry) was then used as the perturbation parameter in 2D correlation analysis to understand the controlling chemical structures; both genotype and environment were controlled by the redox reactivity and aromaticity of sweet sorghum. Aromatic structures detectable by UV/visible spectrophotometry were then used to build calibrations based on machine learning. The workflow of data analytics in this study could be applied to expedite the biomarker-driven plant breeding without repeating chemical analysis of new field samples. • Redox reactivity of sorghum juice can serve as the marker for pest resistance. • 2 D correlation analysis of cyclic voltammogram revealed genotype dependency. • Machine learning allows calibration of redox reactivity without repeated analysis.

Interactions between the soil bacterial community assembly and gene regulation in salt‐sensitive and salt‐tolerant sweet sorghum cultivars

AbstractComplex bacterial communities in the rhizosphere play a crucial role in plant growth and stress tolerance. These communities vary across cultivars and external environments. However, the influences of salt stress on the structural composition of bacterial microbiome and gene expression of salt‐sensitive and salt‐tolerant sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) cultivars have not been studied sufficiently. Here, we employed a combination of 16S rRNA gene profiling and RNA‐seq analysis to characterize changes in root‐associated microbiomes and determine differentially expressed genes (DEG) in the roots of salt‐tolerant M‐81E and salt‐sensitive 'Roma' var. sweet sorghum cultivars under soil conditions with/without salinity. Results revealed that the two contrasting sweet sorghum genotypes selectively filtered and recruited distinct root microbiota in response to salt stress. M‐81E‐enriched bacterial taxa were more diverse and exhibited a higher abundance of metabolic functions than Roma‐enriched taxa. M‐81E‐associated bacterial co‐occurrence networks were more complex and harboured more positive links than Roma‐associated bacterial networks. Furthermore, nine DEG were identified as core salt‐responsive genes and were central to the salt tolerance of sweet sorghum. Correlation analysis revealed that the expression of HSP70, a molecular chaperone, is linked to the recruitment of numerous M‐81E‐enriched bacteria; their relationship needs further exploration. The study supplements the comprehension of the potential role of host–microbe interactions in the response of sweet sorghum to salt stress.

Comparative ileal digestibility of gross energy and amino acids in low and high tannin sorghum fed to growing pigs

Low tannin sorghum cultivars (LTS) have been previously proved to contain greater available energy and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy (GE) and crude protein (CP) than high tannin sorghum cultivars (HTS); however, their comparative ileal digestibility of energy and nitrogen excluding microbial interference in pigs remains mostly unknown. This study was designed to compare apparent (AID) and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) associated with the AID and hindgut disappearance (HGD) of GE and CP in 4 LTS and 4 HTS fed to growing pigs. Eighteen barrows (27.6 ± 3.5 kg) fitted with a distal ileum T-cannula were allotted to a replicated 9 × 3 Youden square design with 9 diets and 3 periods to give a total of 6 replicate pigs per diet. Each period lasted 10 days, with 5 days adaption to the diets followed by 3 days collection of faeces and then 2 days collection of ileal digesta. Eight sorghum diets contained 966 g/kg sorghum grain as the only source of dietary energy and nitrogen, and one nitrogen-free diet was used to determine basal ileal endogenous nitrogen loss. Mean AID, ATTD, and HGD of GE and CP were higher in LTS than in HTS (P < 0.05). Mean SID of 8 out of 15 AA were decreased in HTS (P < 0.05). The AID, ATTD, and HGD of GE or CP had a negative correlation with condensed tannins and total phenolics in sorghum grain (P < 0.05). The SID of essential AA, including lysine, threonine, valine, histidine, and arginine, were highly or moderately negatively correlated with condensed tannins and total phenolics content in sorghum grains (P < 0.05). Overall, HTS provided less ileal digestibility and hindgut disappearance of energy and nitrogen, implying that condensed tannins in sorghum grain may impede nutrient digestibility, not only in the foregut but also in the hindgut segements of pigs.

Interactive effects of drenched triterpenoid phytonematicides on sugar content and plant growth of sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) under microplot conditions ​

Globally, sweet sorghum is being used as source of ethanol. However, its sugar content is highly variable, and nematodes are suspected as the potential cause of the variability. Two cucurbitacin-containing phytonematicides were on various occasions shown to improve sugar content and plant growth of sweet sorghum cultivars, with cucurbitacins chemically classified as terpenoids. The terpenoids being tested during 2020 and 2021 as phytonematicides at the University of Limpopo, South Africa, include Nemarioc-AL, Nemafric-BL and Mordica. Although the interactive effects of Nemarioc-AL and Nemafric-BL on sugar content and plant growth had been widely investigated, the interactive effects of the products with Mordica on the test plant variables had not been documented. The eight factorial treatments, namely, untreated control, Nemarioc-AL alone Nemafric-BL alone, Mordica alone, Nemafric-BL + Mordica, Nemarioc-AL + Mordica, Nemafric-BL + Mordica and Nemarioc-AL + Nemafric-BL + Mordica, arranged in a randomised complete block design, were replicated six times in a microplot trial. At 150 days after initiating the treatments, the second order interaction increased degree Brix by 66 and 48% in the middle and bottom internodes, respectively, but without affecting plant growth variables. The latter were significantly affected by the first order interactions which excluded Mordica. In conclusion, Mordica should not be included in cropping system of sweet sorghum, where the intention includes increasing sugar content.

Interactive effects of drenched triterpenoid phytonematicides on sugar content and plant growth of sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) under microplot conditions ​

Globally, sweet sorghum is being used as source of ethanol. However, its sugar content is highly variable, and nematodes are suspected as the potential cause of the variability. Two cucurbitacin-containing phytonematicides were on various occasions shown to improve sugar content and plant growth of sweet sorghum cultivars, with cucurbitacins chemically classified as terpenoids. The terpenoids being tested during 2020 and 2021 as phytonematicides at the University of Limpopo, South Africa, include Nemarioc-AL, Nemafric-BL and Mordica. Although the interactive effects of Nemarioc-AL and Nemafric-BL on sugar content and plant growth had been widely investigated, the interactive effects of the products with Mordica on the test plant variables had not been documented. The eight factorial treatments, namely, untreated control, Nemarioc-AL alone Nemafric-BL alone, Mordica alone, Nemafric-BL + Mordica, Nemarioc-AL + Mordica, Nemafric-BL + Mordica and Nemarioc-AL + Nemafric-BL + Mordica, arranged in a randomised complete block design, were replicated six times in a microplot trial. At 150 days after initiating the treatments, the second order interaction increased degree Brix by 66 and 48% in the middle and bottom internodes, respectively, but without affecting plant growth variables. The latter were significantly affected by the first order interactions which excluded Mordica. In conclusion, Mordica should not be included in cropping system of sweet sorghum, where the intention includes increasing sugar content.

GGE biplot vs. AMMI analysis of promising sorghum lines in the warm-temperate regions of Iran

ABSTRACT Due to increasing farmers’ attention to sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) cultivation in arid and semi-arid regions, it is necessary to introduce new, suitable sorghum cultivars. The present study aimed to evaluate the yield stability of grain sorghum genotypes via AMMI and GGE biplot analyses to identify high-yielding and best adapted genotypes for release in Iran’s warm-temperate regions. Seven promising grain sorghum lines (KGS15, KGS19, KGS23, KGS25, KGS27, KGS32, and KGS36), along with three commercial cultivars (Kimiya, Payam, and Sepideh), were studied in seven regions of Iran (Karaj, Isfahan, Gorgan, Birjand, Shiraz, Zabol, and Hamedan) during the 2019 and 2020 growing seasons. AMMI analysis showed that genotypes G7, G3, and G6 had the lowest AMMI stability values (ASV). GGE biplot analysis showed that genotype G6 had the highest grain yield (GY) in most environments, whereas genotype G1 was specifically adapted to the Hamedan province. According to the average-environment coordination of the GGE biplot, genotype G6 was the most desirable genotype, significantly better than the second and third best genotypes G4 and G3 (G4 was missed by AMMI). This study also indicated that the GGE biplot method was more effective than the AMMI method in analyzing genotype by environment and identifying superior genotypes. Overall, G6 can be introduced as the superior-most genotype for cultivation in Iran’s warm-temperate regions.

Epicuticular wax of sweet sorghum influenced the microbial community and fermentation quality of silage.

Epicuticular wax, as secondary metabolites (hydrophobic compounds) covering plant surface, plays important roles in protecting plants from abiotic and biotic stresses. However, whether these compounds will influence fermentation process of silage is still not clear. In this study, two sweet sorghum cultivars with varying epicuticular wax on sheath (bloom), Yajin 2 (YJ, less bloom), and Jintian (JT, dense bloom), were harvested at flowering and maturing stages, and ensiled with or without bloom, aiming to evaluate the effects of bloom on fermentation quality, feed nutrition and microbial community. The bloom was collected manually with de-waxed cotton and extracted with chloroform. The results showed that the bloom reduced the concentrations of water-soluble carbohydrate and crude protein of the two cultivars at both stages, reduced lactic acid (LA) for YJ at both stages and for JT at flowering stage, and increased LA for JT at mature stage. The α-diversity of bacterial communities of the silage fermentation with bloom was significantly lower than that without bloom. Bloom increased the abundance of Lactobacillus, reduced that of Bacillus and Weissella, and significant correlations were observed between fermentative qualities and bacterial abundances. However, decreased diversity of bacterial community and the contents of LA implied that shifts in bacterial community might exert negative effects on silage fermentation. Our results suggest that bloom wax could alter the microbial community composition of ensiled sweet sorghums, which thus influence the fermentation qualities.

CHARACTERIZATION OF FORAGE, SWEET AND BIOMASS SORGHUM FOR AGRONOMIC PERFORMANCE AND ENSILABILITY

This study evaluated sorghum cultivars’ agronomic performance and ensilability with different purpose. The experiment was conducted in Sinop/MT in the 2020 growing season. Eight experimental hybrids from Embrapa (forages 15F30005 and 15F30006, sweet CMSXS 5027, 5030, 5043, and 5045, and biomass 2019B008 and CMSXS 7501), and seven commercial hybrids (forages BRS 658, BRS 659, Volumax, BRS Ponta Negra, the sweet BRS 511, and biomass BRS 716 and AGRI-002E) were planted in a randomized block design, with 15 treatments and three replicates. The highest yields in green matter belonged to the group formed by BRS 716 and CMSXS 5043, with an average of 101.9 Mg ha-1. The group with the highest dry matter productivity was formed by the cultivars AGRI-002E and BRS 716, with a 28.77 Mg ha-1 average. BRS 716, AGRI-002E, BRS 658, and 659 showed higher dry matter contents (DM), with 297.7 g kg-1 of DM. For buffering capacity, BRS 511 had the lowest value, with 16.2 g kg-1 DM. BRS 511 and CMSXS 5030 presented the highest average, 391.7 g kg-1 DM for water soluble carbohydrates. All genotypes showed potential to be ensiled and produce silages with a good fermentation pattern.

Comparative Analyses of Impact of Varying Germination Periods on Malt Quality and Wort Characteristics of Sorghum Bicolor (L) Moench and Sorghum Vulgare Varieties

Three Sorghum bicolor [L] Moench and two Sorghum vulgare varieties were steeped for 20 h at 30 ℃ and germinated for 2 to 6 d. The varieties differed in 1000-grain weight, germination energy, germination capacity, water sensitivity, nitrogen, protein, tannin and moisture contents. Sprouts length increased with germination days and varied with sorghum varieties. Malting loss increased with germination days and differed with cultivars. Cold water extract and hot water extract increased from 2-day to 4-day malts and thereafter decreased. Tannin content varied among cultivars, grains&gt;malts&gt;worts. Diastatic power (DP) and amylase activities increased in both sweet and non-sweet sorghum cultivars from day-2 to day-4 malts and then declined. Sweet sorghum malts revealed higher DP (ca 142.1 ºL) than the non-sweet malts (ca 119.6 ºL). Malts of sweet sorghum varieties had -, β- and γ-amylase activities while non-sweet cultivars indicated only - and β-amylase activities. Sweet sorghum worts had more reducing sugars than non-sweet sorghum varieties. Wort-yields (43.9-68.7%) and reducing sugars differed and increased from day-2 to day-4 malts and then decreased. Worts pH (5.1-6.7) varied with cultivars and the sweet generally had higher pH than non-sweet sorghum cultivars. Generally, the 4-day sweet sorghum malts yielded the best quality malts.

Determine the Competitive Ability of Some Sorghum Cultivars by the Effect of Weed Control Treatments

A field experiment was carried out in 2021 during the autumn season in soil with a mixture texture in Anbar Governorate, Ramadi District in research station of college of agriculture, university of Anbar in Al-Hamidiyah region. To study the effect of the competitive ability of some sorghum cultivars in the accompanying weeds with the impact of weed control treatments, The experiment was included three hoeings (hoeing once, hoeing twice, and hoeing three times) in addition to the control treatment with three cultivars of sorghum (Lilo, Angath and Rabeh). The experiment was designed according to a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and in the arrangement of split plots and three replications, as the hoes were at main plots while cultivars were at subplots. The results were as follows. Data showed a significant effect of the study factors in the studied traits, the number of weeds, and their dry weight, whether three times of hand weeding gave the highest plant height (194.87 cm), 500-grain weight (19.22 g), grain yield 8.85-ton hectare-1. As for the cultivars, the cultivar recorded the highest average of the leaf area (5900 cm2 plant-1) and the percentage of protein (8.48%).

Characterisation of Polishing Frequency for Three Varieties of Sorghum Grain in Java, Indonesia.

To determine the suitability of different sorghum cultivars (grown in Indonesia) for the manufacturing of acceptable food products, their properties must first be characterised. During sorghum processing, polishing may affect the final nutritional value and quality of the product. This study is aimed at determining the effects of sorghum variety and polishing frequency on nutritional value. This was achieved by using a factorial randomised block design with two factors: sorghum variety (Bioguma, Numbu, and Super) and polishing frequency (once, twice, or thrice). Tannin content, antioxidant capacity, levels of dietary fibre and resistant starch, and fat, ash, and carbohydrate content varied according to sorghum cultivar. Compared to other sorghum varieties, the Super cultivar contained the highest levels of antioxidants, dietary fibre, fat content, protein, resistant starch, and tannins (although high tannin content could be lowered by polishing grains up to three times). The frequency of polishing affected tannin and ash levels in all three sorghum varieties. Polishing frequency also affected the antioxidant capacity of polished sorghum grains. The findings from this study should be considered when determining appropriate applications for various sorghum-based food products.

Integrated Starches and Physicochemical Characterization of Sorghum Cultivars for an Efficient and Sustainable Intercropping Model.

Sorghum has good adaptation to drought tolerance and can be successfully cultivated on marginal lands with low input cost. Starch is used in many foods and nonfood industrial applications and as a renewable energy resource. Sorghum starches with different amylose contents affect the different physicochemical properties. In this study, we isolated starches from six sorghum varieties (i.e., Jinza 34, Liaoza 19, Jinnuo 3, Jiza 127, Jiniang 2, and Jiaxian) and investigated them in terms of their chemical compositions and physicochemical properties. All the starch granules had regular polygonal round shapes and showed the characteristic “Maltese cross”. These six sorghum starches showed an A-type diffraction pattern. The highest amylose content of starch in Jinza 127 was 26.90%. Jiaxian had a higher water solubility at 30, 70, and 90 °C. From the flow cytometry analysis based on six sorghum starch granules, Liaoza 19 had a larger and more complex granules (particle percentage (P1) = 66.5%). The Jinza 34 starch had higher peak (4994.00 mPa∙s) and breakdown viscosity (4013.50 mPa∙s) and lower trough viscosity (973.50 mPa∙s). Jinnuo 3 had higher onset temperature, peak temperature, conclusion temperature, gelatinization enthalpy, and gelatinization range. The principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis based on classification of different sorghum starches showed that Jiniang 2 and Jinnuo 3 had similar physicochemical properties and most divergent starches, respectively. Our result provides useful information not only on the use of sorghum starches in food and non-food industries but for the great potential of sorghum-based intercropping systems in maintaining agricultural sustainability.