Search Results (52)

Foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.) exhibits varying efficiency in utilizing different nitrogen (N) forms. While selecting the appropriate N form is a recognized strategy for enhancing yield and reducing N losses, the integrated responses of millet productivity and soil N dynamics to specific N forms remain poorly understood. To address this, a three-year field experiment integrated with ¹⁵N isotopic tracing was conducted on the North China Plain. We systematically evaluated six fertilization treatments: control (CK), organic fertilizer (M), ammonium sulfate (AF), potassium nitrate (NF), ammonium nitrate (ANF), and urea (UR). The results demonstrated that M showed the greatest yield stability but a lower mean grain yield. In contrast, AF treatment achieved the highest grain yield (increasing by 0.90–27.68%) and N accumulation (increasing by 1.65–41.45%), along with the second-highest yield stability. During the growing season, the composition of soil inorganic nitrogen changed significantly. Across all treatments, the dominant form shifted from NH₄⁺-N at the heading stage to NO₃⁻-N at the flowering and maturation stages. As demonstrated by the ¹⁵N-labeling experiments, foxtail millet presented a stage-dependent shift in nitrogen uptake preference from NO₃⁻ to NH₄⁺. An in-depth analysis identified that sustaining soil inorganic N within 30–38 kg·ha⁻¹ and optimizing the NO₃⁻:NH₄⁺ ratio (4.5–5.3 at flowering; 1.5–1.8 at maturity) were critical for achieving high productivity. In conclusion, AF enhances yield by synchronizing N availability with crop demand, thereby optimizing N accumulation and reducing losses. These findings provide critical insights for designing sustainable millet production systems through tailored N source selection. Full article

Foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.), a typical dryland crop, has a high nutrient uptake capacity, which can lead to rapid soil nutrient depletion. Establishing soil conservation strategies compatible with the high yield traits of hybrid millet is crucial. Although organic fertilization and deep tillage are proven measures for maintaining soil productivity, their effects on dryland crops like millet remain understudied. This study investigated Zhangzagu 10 under five treatments: rotary tillage without fertilization (RT), rotary tillage with compound fertilizer (RTC), rotary tillage with organic fertilizer (RTO), deep tillage with organic fertilizer at 20–30 cm (DT1O), and deep tillage with organic fertilizer at 30–40 cm (DT2O). Soil physicochemical properties were measured at seven sampling periods and four tillage layer depths in a two-year field experiment. Compared to RT, RTO increased organic carbon and total nitrogen in mechanically stable macro-aggregates (0–20 cm) by up to 141.2% and 135.14%, respectively. Corresponding increases in water-stable aggregates reached 105.9% for organic carbon and 193.33% for total nitrogen. RTO also enhanced the pH buffering capacity of the topsoil while reducing soil bulk density and solid volume fraction in the surface layer during the late growth stages of foxtail millet. Combining organic fertilization with deep tillage (DT1O and DT2O) further optimized subsoil (20–40 cm) structure, increasing macro-aggregate content and stability, with effects intensifying at greater tillage depths. The integration of organic fertilization and deep tillage synergistically improved soil structure and nutrient distribution, offering a sustainable approach for dryland foxtail millet production. Full article

Foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.) is an important crop in northern China’s arid and semi-arid regions. Frequent spring droughts and limited irrigation facilities often cause poor seed germination due to insufficient soil moisture, threatening food security. The irrigation-sowing technique, which creates a localized moist microenvironment around seeds, effectively addresses this issue. However, this technique has been poorly studied, and its effects on foxtail millet seed germination remain unclear. To address this, field experiments were conducted using a two-factor split-plot design, with three drought levels and five irrigation gradients. The results showed that irrigation-sowing increased soil moisture, promoted root–shoot growth coordination, and improved germination characteristics. Transcriptome analysis of seeds under moderate drought compared the optimal irrigation treatment (13.5 m³·hm⁻²) with the non-irrigated control (0 m³·hm⁻²), identifying 2169 differentially expressed genes. Seeds receiving irrigation exhibited higher transcript abundance in pathways related to carbohydrate metabolism, energy production, secondary metabolism, and hormone signaling. Physiological measurements further showed increased α/β-amylase activity, while starch, sucrose, and cellulose content decreased. Glycolytic enzyme activity was enhanced, and ATP content increased by 125%. Additionally, phenylpropanoid metabolism was promoted, and proanthocyanidin accumulation increased by 11.5%. Hormone analysis showed that the contents of IAA and GA increased as germination progressed by 29.09% and 54.70%, respectively, while ABA content decreased. Overall, irrigation-sowing serves as an upstream moisture signal that reshapes metabolic and hormonal states associated with improved germination performance. Full article

Membrane lipid remodeling represents a crucial adaptive mechanism for plants in response to drought stress. This study investigated the regulatory influence of melatonin on the photosynthetic attributes, oxidative damage, and lipid metabolism of foxtail millet seedlings subjected to drought stress, with particular emphasis on alterations in lipid composition and fatty acid unsaturation. The findings indicated that melatonin treatment markedly enhanced the drought tolerance of foxtail millet seedlings, resulting in increases in chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, and total dry weight by 51.2%, 39.8%, and 51.1%, respectively. Melatonin increased the levels of monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG), digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG), sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol (SQDG), and phosphatidylcholine (PC), while promoting the accumulation of unsaturated fatty acid (18:3) and leading to an increase in the double bond index (DBI). Concurrently, there were significant alterations in the expression of genes associated with glycolipid and phospholipid biosynthesis, aligning with the observed changes in lipid components. These findings indicate that melatonin potentially enhances the drought tolerance of foxtail millet seedlings through the regulation of lipid metabolic reprogramming. This process involves an increase in the content of unsaturated fatty acids and an optimization of the lipid unsaturation index, which collectively contribute to the greater stability, fluidity, and integrity of cellular membranes. Full article

Summer foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.) is a crucial crop in the arid and semi-arid regions of the North China Plain. Therefore, adopting effective irrigation management strategies is essential for conserving water resources while sustaining millet production in these water-limited areas. A two-year field experiment was conducted in Hengshui in 2020 and 2021 to determine the optimal irrigation amount for foxtail millet and evaluate the critical role of root distribution across various soil depths in determining yield and water productivity. Grain yield, yield-related traits, water use efficiency, and root traits were measured under six irrigation regimes (I0, I1, I2, I3, I4, and I5). Grain yield significantly increased with irrigation, but no further significant yield improvement was observed between the I3 and I5 treatments. The highest water productivity was observed under I3 in 2020 and I2 in 2021. Biomass, thousand grain weight, abortive grain rate, panicle dry weight, and water use efficiency under I3 were similar to those under I4 and I5 treatments. Root traits, including total root length, surface area, volume, and dry weight, did not significantly differ between I3, I4, and I5. Grey relational analysis indicated that total water content in the shallow soil layer (0–40 cm) had the greatest impact on yield. Overall, the I3 treatment (150 mm) is recommended as the optimal irrigation amount for increasing foxtail millet production and water use efficiency. Full article

Increasing attention is being paid to the use of cover crops as a means of improving soil quality, particularly in relation to soil organic matter (SOM) accumulation and aggregate stability. This study evaluated the effects of soil texture, soil depth, and cover crop type on soil organic carbon (Corg), labile carbon (C_L), and soil structure under field conditions in western Slovakia. A field experiment compared two texturally distinct Phaeozem soils—silty clay loam and sandy loam —and two cover cropping strategies: pea (Pisum sativum L.) monoculture and a four-species mixture of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.), camelina (Camelina sativa L.), white mustard (Sinapis alba L.), and Italian millet (Setaria italica L.). Fine-textured soil accumulated up to 50% more Corg and 1.5 times more C_L than sandy soil, while aggregate stability was up to 90% higher. The surface layer (0–10 cm) contained more SOM, but the deeper layer (10–20 cm) showed greater aggregate stability. Pea cultivation increased total organic carbon, whereas the diverse mixture enhanced labile carbon content and promoted the formation of smaller yet more stable aggregates. Strong correlations between C_L and aggregate stability confirmed the key role of labile organic matter fractions in soil structural stabilisation. Overall, the results demonstrate that the interaction between soil texture and cover crop diversity critically shapes SOM dynamics and soil structure. Combining diverse cover crops with fine-textured soils provides an effective strategy to enhance soil quality, carbon sequestration, and long-term agricultural sustainability. Full article

Efficient and fast water uptake by seeds, facilitated by optimal soil moisture, plays a critical role in timely germination and early seedling vigor for foxtail millet production in arid and semi-arid regions. The husk, as a unique structure through which the seed contacts the soil, plays an important role in water uptake and germination. Many foxtail millet germplasm accessions have papillae on the epidermis of their husks, yet the role of this trait in water uptake and germination, as well as the genetic basis and regulatory mechanism related to this trait, remain unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that the water uptake by the seeds from accessions with papillae was significantly higher than that of accessions without papillae two hours and four hours after sowing during a 10 h experiment, resulting in faster germination. Analysis of segregating ratios from two F2 populations derived from crossing between accessions with and without papillae indicated that husk papilla density was of monogenic dominance. Bulked Segregant Analysis Sequencing (BSA-Seq) showed that candidate regions on chromosome 5 were significantly associated with husk papilla density. The mapped region overlapped by the two BSA populations for papilla density included 72 genes. In combination with the expression profiles of these genes, five candidate genes were identified, encoding aquaporins, fructose transporter, and glycoside hydrolase. This study elucidated the role of husk papillae in enhancing water uptake and germination in foxtail millet, provided genetic insights into the trait, and laid the foundation for further study on the mechanism of husk papilla differentiation. Full article

As a strategic crop of dry farming in northern China, the photosynthetic characteristics and stress resistance of foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.) are crucial to yield formation. This study aimed to explore the physiological characteristics of various foxtail millet varieties and screen high-efficiency varieties adapted to semi-arid climates. In the agro-pastoral ecotone of northern Shanxi Province, the physiological and ecological parameters, etc. of six cultivars were measured. The results showed that different cultivars had bimodal diurnal photosynthetic curves with distinct peak values and midday depression degrees, reflecting varied responses to high midday temperature and light stress. Dabaigu and Jingu 21 performed superiorly, with mean daily net photosynthetic rates (Pn) of 22.99 and 20.72 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹, significantly higher than Jinmiao K1 (12.87 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹). Chlorophyll fluorescence analysis showed Dabaigu had higher potential activity (F_v/F₀) of 3.98 than Jinmiao K1 (2.40). Jingu 21 synergistically optimized plant height, stem diameter, and biomass accumulation. Dabaigu and Jingu 21 are elite cultivars for the agro-pastoral ecotone of northern Shanxi Province due to high photosynthetic efficiency, strong photoprotection, and morphological plasticity. Full article

Background/Objectives: Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins regulate stress responses and contribute significantly to plant stress tolerance. As a model species for stress resistance studies, foxtail millet (Setaria italica) lacks comprehensive characterization of its LEA gene family. This study aimed to comprehensively identify SiLEA genes in foxtail millet and elucidate their functional roles and tissue-specific expression patterns. Methods: Genome-wide identification of SiLEA genes was conducted, followed by phylogenetic reconstruction, cis-acting element analysis of promoters, synteny analysis, and expression profiling. Results: Ninety-four SiLEA genes were identified and classified into nine structurally distinct subfamilies, which are unevenly distributed across all nine chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis showed closer clustering of SiLEA genes with sorghum and rice orthologs than with Arabidopsis thaliana AtLEA genes. Synteny analysis indicated the LEA gene family expansion through tandem and segmental duplication. Promoter cis-element analysis linked SiLEA genes to plant growth regulation, stress responses, and hormone signaling. Transcriptome analysis revealed tissue-specific expression patterns among SiLEA members, while RT-qPCR verified ABA-induced transcriptional regulation of SiLEA genes. Conclusions: This study identified 94 SiLEA genes grouped into nine subfamilies with distinct spatial expression profiles. ABA treatment notably upregulated SiASR-2, SiASR-5, and SiASR-6 in both shoots and roots. Full article

Soil salinization and alkalization are becoming increasingly severe in recent decades, which poses serious threats to crop production and food security in the world. Foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.) is an important cereal crop in China, and it is important to elucidate its saline-alkali tolerance mechanisms for the breeding of new saline-alkali tolerant varieties. In this study, we used 75% seawater to treat two foxtail millet varieties with different saline-alkali tolerances (JK3, saline-alkali tolerant; B175, saline-alkali sensitive) during the seedling stage, and conducted morphological, cellular ultrastructure, physiological, and transcriptomic analyses on the two varieties. The morphological analysis of the saline-alkali response indicated that JK3 exhibited stronger saline-alkali tolerance than B175. The results of the cellular ultrastructure showed that under saline-alkali stress, JK3 had a more intact leaf cell structure than B175, indicating that saline-alkali stress causes less damage to its cells. The physiological analysis of saline-alkali response indicated that JK3 had consistently higher activities of catalase and polyphenol oxidase, as well as higher contents of soluble sugars and soluble proteins at 48–120 h than B175. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that JK3 enhanced its saline-alkali tolerance by positively regulating pathways such as tryptophan/fatty acid metabolism, the MAPK signaling pathway, and peroxisome pathways. Further, WGCNA combining morphological and physiological indicators identified four key modules and five functional pathways (MAPK signaling, glycerolipid metabolism, phosphate and phosphonate metabolism, galactose metabolism, and endoplasmic reticulum protein processing) in response to saline-alkali stress, and identified a total of 24 core genes. Functional annotation indicated that these genes may be involved in the response to saline-alkali stress. These findings lay a foundation for in-depth studies of the molecular mechanisms for saline-alkali tolerance in foxtail millet. Full article

Foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.), a representative C4 species, is recognized for its efficient nutrient utilization and robust abiotic stress responses. However, the molecular mechanisms mediating its tolerance to biotic stresses are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the root transcriptomic response of foxtail millet to the damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP), the plant elicitor peptide 1 (Pep1). Transcriptome analysis of Pep1-treated roots identified 401 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), comprising 144 up-regulated and 257 down-regulated genes. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis revealed a significant enrichment of ‘peroxidase activity’. This finding was corroborated by DAB staining, which confirmed H₂O₂ accumulation, along with elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, collectively indicating oxidative stress. Notably, Pep1 treatment also resulted in a marked up-regulation of the pathogenesis-related protein 1 (PR1) gene in leaves, suggesting the activation of systemic acquired resistance. Together, these results demonstrate that Pep1 triggers substantial transcriptional reprogramming in roots, induces oxidative stress, and activates systemic defense signaling in foxtail millet. Full article

Global agricultural systems are predominantly concentrated in regions characterized by fertile soils, abundant precipitation, and gentle slopes. However, a significant proportion of farmland is situated in areas with poor soil quality, arid conditions, and steep slopes. In such challenging environments, particularly sandy-arid sloping farmlands, selecting native crops that are well-adapted to local conditions is critical for sustainable agricultural practices. This study categorizes local crops in arid regions into four distinct types: tall-stem monocotyledonous plants (represented by maize, Zea mays L.), short-stem monocotyledonous plants (represented by millet, Setaria italica), tap-rooted dicotyledonous plants (represented by soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr.), and tuberous dicotyledonous plants (represented by potato, Solanum tuberosum L.). A quantitative evaluation framework was developed using five key indices: nitrogen fixation, anti-wind erosion, roots reinforcement, anti-water erosion, and water conservation. These indices were used to calculate the suitability index values for each crop type. The findings revealed that in sandy-arid sloping farmland regions, maize and millet emerged as the most suitable crops for cultivation, followed by soybean, while potato was identified as the least suitable. Maize exhibited high values across all five indices, particularly demonstrating exceptional performance in nitrogen fixation. Additionally, the study demonstrated that traditional farming practices are highly effective in sloping farmlands, since they not only promote crop growth but also mitigate soil erosion. This research offers insights into agricultural management in regions affected by drought, soil erosion, and steep terrain. The results highlight the feasibility of employing traditional farming methods to cultivate maize in such challenging environments, providing practical guidance for sustainable agricultural development. Full article

Background: Weed herbicide resistance is a serious problem in crop protection globally. Giant foxtail (Setaria faberi R.A.N. Herrm.) populations cannot be controlled by acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicides in a few corn (Zea mays L.) monoculture fields. Methods: Five putative resistant giant foxtail populations, originating from corn monoculture fields in northeastern Greece, were evaluated for possible evolution of ALS-inhibitor resistance (nicosulfuron, rimsulfuron). The resistance ratio, the underlying resistance mechanism, and its impact on competitive ability against corn were studied. Results: The whole-plant rate-response assays showed that these populations were resistant (R) to the sulfonylureas nicosulfuron and rimsulfuron, but susceptible (S) to imidazolinone imazamox, triketone 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase inhibitor tembotrione, and acetyl-CoA carboxylase inhibitor cycloxydim. The sequencing of the ALS gene did not reveal the presence of resistance-associated point mutations, indicating that the resistance was probably not target-site mediated. This was confirmed by the application of piperonyl butoxide two hours before nicosulfuron application, which reversed the resistance in all R giant foxtail populations, supporting the evidence of enhanced metabolism-mediated resistance. The competition study between corn and R or S giant foxtail populations indicated no stable trend reduction in corn traits, suggesting that the resistance mechanism was not associated with the competitive ability of the R populations. The novel ALS genotype in S. faberi, characterized for the first time and submitted to the GenBank database with accession number PV016837, indicated a closer genetic relationship with the S. viridis ALS gene than with S. italica. Conclusions: Five giant foxtail populations have evolved metabolism-based resistance to the ALS-inhibiting herbicides nicosulfuron and rimsulfuron. Full article

Nitrogen crucially impacts foxtail millet (Setaria italica) growth and development. Uncovering low nitrogen (LN) tolerance genes and mechanisms is vital for breeding high nitrogen use efficiency varieties. In this study, the LN tolerance of 50 foxtail millet genotypes was assessed through field trials and seedling hydroponic experiments. Subsequently, transcriptome analysis was performed on one highly sensitive genotype, named Maotigu, and on one highly tolerant genotype, named Dahuanggu, under LN (0.1 mmol/L) and control (5 mmol/L) conditions in seedling hydroponic experiments. Compared to the control treatment, 823 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (350 upregulated, 473 downregulated) were identified in the roots of Dahuanggu, while 2427 DEGs (1703 upregulated, 724 downregulated) were detected in Maotigu under LN treatment. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis revealed that a total of 3134 DEGs were associated with pathways including plant–pathogen interaction, amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, nitrogen metabolism, and others. A total of 116 DEGs were commonly identified between Dahuanggu and Maotigu, involving pathways like plant–pathogen interaction, galactose metabolism, and flavone and flavonol biosynthesis. The 28 of 116 DEGs showed opposite expression patterns between Dahuanggu and Maotigu; the expression of 18 genes was further validated using qRT-PCR. These offer valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying LN stress responses in foxtail millet. Full article

The flavour of foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.) is an important indicator for evaluating the quality of the millet. The volatile components in steamed millet porridge samples were analysed using electronic nose (E-Nose) and gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) techniques, and characteristic volatile fingerprints were constructed to clarify the differences in the main flavour substances in different foxtail millet varieties (two hybrids and two conventional foxtail millets). After sensory evaluation by judges, Jingu 21 (JG) scored significantly higher than the other varieties, and the others were, in order, Jinmiao K1 (JM), Changzagu 466 (CZ) and Zhangzagu 3 (ZZ). E-Nose analysis showed differences in sulphides and terpenoids, nitrogen oxides, organosulphides and aromatic compounds in different varieties of millet porridge. A total of 59 volatile components were determined by GC-IMS in the four varieties of millet porridge, including 23 aldehydes, 17 alcohols, 9 ketones, 4 esters, 2 acids, 3 furans and 1 pyrazine. Comparative analyses of the volatile components in JG, JM, ZZ and CZ revealed that the contents of octanal, nonanal and 3-methyl-2-butenal were higher in JG; the contents of trans-2-butenal, 2-methyl-1-propanol, trans-2-heptenal and trans-2-pentenal were higher in JM; and the contents of 2-octanone, hexanol, 1-octen-3-ol, 2-pentanone and butyraldehyde were higher in ZZ. The contents of 2-butanol, propionic acid and acetic acid were higher in CZ. A prediction model with good stability was established by orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), and 25 potential characteristic markers (VIP > 1) were screened out from 59 volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These volatile components can be used to distinguish the different varieties of millet porridge samples. Moreover, we found conventional foxtail millet contained more aldehydes than the hybridised foxtail millet; especially decanal, 1-nonanal-D, heptanal-D, 1-octanal-M, 1-octanal-D and 1-nonanal-M were significantly higher in JG than in the other varieties. These results indicate that the E-Nose combined with GC-IMS can be used to characterise the flavour volatiles of different foxtail millet, and the results of this study may provide some information for future understanding of the aroma characteristics of foxtail millet and the genetic improvement of hybrid grains. Full article