Search Results (117)

Sustainable agriculture in water-limited regions requires understanding how future climate change may affect crop water use and productivity and whether locally feasible adaptations can offset adverse impacts. This study used an improved SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) model to simulate multiple future climate scenarios—five single-factor adaptation scenarios, including early or late sowing, long- or short-season cultivars, and crop substitution, and one integrated scenario—in the Palo Duro Watershed of the Texas High Plains. Under future climate, yields declined by 6.7–13.1% for irrigated corn (Zea mays L.) and 11.6–34.1% for irrigated sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.), but increased by 8.0–32.8% and 8.4–33.7% for dryland and irrigated winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), respectively. Early sowing improved yields and water productivity (WP) for irrigated corn, irrigated sorghum, and dryland winter wheat. However, long-season cultivars increased corn and sorghum yields and WP with greater irrigation water use. Crop substitution was generally unfavorable under local conditions. A combined strategy of early sowing and long-season cultivars would increase yields and WP for irrigated corn, irrigated sorghum, and dryland winter wheat, whereas business-as-usual management remained appropriate for irrigated winter wheat. These findings support crop-specific adaptation planning for climate-resilient agriculture and water-resource management in semi-arid systems. Full article

Sorghum tannins have been suggested to influence microbial ecology and flavor formation in Xiaoqu light-flavor Baijiu (XLB), but their specific contribution is difficult to distinguish from confounding, cultivar-dependent variations in macromolecular components. To address this limitation, a controlled fermentation system was established using a uniform, low-tannin substrate. Based on preliminary gradient trials, a 1.0% tannin supplementation level was selected, and high-throughput sequencing combined with HS-SPME-GC-MS was employed to investigate tannin-related microbial and volatile changes. Compared with the group without tannin supplementation, 1.0% tannin supplementation altered bacterial and fungal community succession during the fermentation, reducing the relative abundances of Saccharomyces and Weissella, and enriching taxa including Cyberlindnera and Pantoea. The tannin-supplemented group exhibited a more complex and stable microbial co-occurrence network. Furthermore, PICRUSt2 predictions suggested enhanced metabolic potentials primarily related to carbohydrate and amino acid pathways. FUNGuild analysis further suggested that tannin supplementation shifted fungal trophic-mode composition, particularly saprotrophic and saprotroph-containing groups. At the end of fermentation, total volatile compounds increased from 4.208 μg/g to 4.983 μg/g, total esters and acids increased by 27.0% and 112.3%, respectively, whereas total alcohols decreased by 13.3%. Spearman correlation analysis revealed that the enriched non-Saccharomyces fungi and acid-producing bacteria in the tannin-supplemented group were positively associated with the accumulation of acids and esters, whereas the control microbiota was mainly linked to an alcohol-oriented profile. These findings may provide process-level evidence for tannin-related microbial and volatile changes during XLB fermentation. Full article

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench) is a nutritious crop widely adapted to grow in arid and semi-arid agro-ecologies, supporting millions of households, and it has the potential to enhance soil health. However, extreme drought and heat stress conditions curtail its yield potential, requiring global efforts to develop drought-tolerant and agronomically superior cultivars. The objective of this paper was to quantitatively assess the impact of drought stress on sorghum genotypes for agronomic and yield-related traits, based on global breeding efforts for drought-tolerant varieties to guide current and future improvement programmes. The study involved a meta-analysis based on 30 selected research papers published around the world that reported on sorghum agronomic and yield-related traits under non-stress (NS) and drought stress (DS) conditions. Data were extracted for the following vital traits: days to 50% flowering (DTF), days to 50% maturity (DTM), plant height (PH), number of tillers (TN), panicle length (PL), panicle width (PW), shoot biomass (SB), root biomass (RB), root-to-shoot biomass ratio (RS), stay green (SG), and grain yield (GY). The sorghum genotypes reported with drought tolerance exhibited a mean GY value of 3.30 t ha⁻¹, ranging from 0.55 to 8.39 t ha⁻¹ under DS conditions. Under NS conditions, the mean GY was 4.38 t ha⁻¹, with the top genotype scoring a GY of 14.1 t ha⁻¹. Drought reduced TN and GY by 42.12% and 27.18%, followed by PW (25.52%) and SB (22.12%)—in that order. The forest plot analysis revealed that drought had a negative effect on the assessed traits, highlighting the need for developing drought-tolerant cultivars. The highest effect sizes were calculated for TN (−1.83), followed by PW (−1.69), and SB (−1.33), whereas PL (−0.1) had the lowest, suggesting that PW and SB are critical for selection in drought-tolerance breeding. Under DS conditions, GY exhibited positive correlations with RS (r = 0.63), RB (r = 0.50), SB (r = 0.27), DTM (r = 0.26), and SG (r = 0.21). The findings of this study could guide future breeding efforts to develop drought-tolerant sorghum varieties. Full article

Sorghum is an important raw material for China’s baijiu (liquor) brewing industry, and the tannin content in its grains directly affects the quality and nutritional value of the liquor. Grain color is closely associated with tannin content, yet the genetic mechanism underlying grain color formation remains incompletely understood. In this study, we systematically observed grain development in the yellow-grained sorghum line GW605. The results showed that from 1 to 16 days after flowering (DAF), the grains underwent a rapid growth phase, after which the expansion rate slowed. On 25 DAF, the green color of the grains gradually faded, shifting from white to yellow and continuously deepening, ultimately turning dark yellow. A segregating population was subsequently constructed using GW605 (yellow grain) and 6E16 (white grain) as parents. Bulked segregant analysis (BSA) localized the gene controlling the yellow grain to chromosome 1. Through fine mapping based on recombinant individuals, the gene was narrowed to a 108 kb physical interval containing seven candidate genes. Sequencing and functional annotation of the candidate genes suggested that Yellow Seed 2 (Sobic.001G397900) is the candidate gene associated with yellow grain color difference between the two parental lines. Haplotype analysis of Yellow Seed 2 using resequencing data from 698 sorghum germplasm accessions detected a total of 11 SNP loci, forming four haplotypes, among which Hap1 was the predominant haplotype. Further analysis revealed that the haplotype diversity of Yellow Seed 2 increased considerably during the domestication process from Chinese landraces to Chinese cultivars, suggesting that this gene may have incorporated genetic lineages from foreign germplasm during domestication. Full article

This study investigated the regulatory effects of sowing date on seed quality formation in the brewing sorghum cultivar Hongyingzi using integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic approaches. Three sowing dates (early, normal, and late) were applied, and seeds were collected at 19, 26, and 33 days after pollination. Sowing date interacted with seed development to significantly affect morphological characteristics, pericarp structure, and metabolite accumulation. Transcriptomic analysis identified 3651 shared differentially expressed genes (DEGs) mainly enriched in photosynthesis, starch and sucrose metabolism, and flavonoid biosynthesis. Metabolomic profiling detected 1105 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs), which were involved in flavonoid and starch–sucrose metabolism. Integrated analysis confirmed these two pathways as key responses to sowing date. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified 17 hub genes, five of which were upregulated and contained light-responsive elements. These findings reveal the molecular mechanism underlying sowing date-mediated seed quality formation and provide a theoretical basis for high-quality sorghum production. Full article

Intercropping systems involving sorghum, grasses, and legumes can enhance forage production and improve sustainability under no-tillage systems. In the context of agricultural systems, the effective selection of rotational species is essential, as they contribute to soil system dynamics and provide feed for livestock. In this study, the dry matter production of grain sorghum (GS: cultivar A 9902), forage sorghum (FS: cultivar Volumax), and dual-purpose sorghum (DPS: cultivar Rancheiro) intercropped with Urochloa brizantha and dwarf pigeon pea was evaluated at five sowing densities (0 to 24 seeds m⁻¹) over two growing seasons (2018 and 2019), conducted in a randomized complete block design under autumn growing conditions. Biometric and productive traits of sorghum were assessed, as well as the dry matter production of the companion species, in order to understand interspecific interactions within the system. Sorghum dry matter yield was not affected by pigeon pea density, indicating high stability of the main crop. Grain sorghum (GS) and forage sorghum (FS) showed higher production in the first season (20,428 and 18,210 kg ha⁻¹, respectively), whereas dual-purpose sorghum (DPS) performed best in the second season (25,388 kg ha⁻¹). GS exhibited the highest panicle production, exceeding the other cultivars by up to 55%. Increasing pigeon pea density enhanced its biomass production but reduced Urochloa production by up to 50%; however, Urochloa showed better performance when intercropped with GS and FS. Sorghum morphological traits were not affected, and overall, the intercropping system maintained sorghum productivity while increasing total biomass, demonstrating potential for silage production and pasture establishment. Full article

Slightly saline–alkali soils represent an important but underutilized land resource in northern China, and optimizing planting patterns is essential for improving sorghum productivity under such marginal conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of wide–narrow row spacing combined with different planting densities on the canopy structure, photosynthetic performance, and grain yield of brewing sorghum. A field experiment was conducted from 2022 to 2024 at the Yulin Experimental Station in Shaanxi Province, China, using the brewing sorghum cultivar Liaonuo 16. Four planting treatments were established: wide–narrow row spacing (80/60 cm) with three planting densities (105,000, 112,500, and 120,000 plants ha⁻¹) and uniform row spacing (60 cm) with 112,500 plants ha⁻¹ as the control. Wide–narrow row spacing combined with higher planting density significantly improved canopy structure and light interception. The treatment with 120,000 plants ha⁻¹ increased light interception in the middle and lower canopy layers during flowering and grain filling by 8.7% and 25.58%, respectively, and enhanced total canopy light interception by 3.33% and 1.96%. Moreover, the leaf area index and photosynthetic capacity were improved, resulting in a 10.1% increase in grain yield compared with the uniform row spacing treatment. Wide–narrow row spacing combined with a planting density of 120,000 plants ha⁻¹ effectively optimizes canopy structure and enhances sorghum productivity in slightly saline–alkali soils, providing a practical cultivation strategy for improving resource use efficiency in marginal farmlands. Full article

Sorghum is recognized as a potential functional ingredient with high resistance to digestion. Therefore, this study investigates the anti-digestive properties of eight different types of sorghum cultivars with distinct compositional differences. The results confirmed that the whole sorghum flours exhibit stronger anti-digestive properties compared to its isolated starch, indicating that non-starch components play a role in inhibiting starch digestion. However, there was no significant correlation between the differences in individual components among sorghum varieties and their resistance to digestion. Analysis of sorghum starch structure demonstrated that relative crystallinity and double-helix degree in the long-range ordered architecture show a significant positive correlation with resistant starch (RS). Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) revealed that the relatively thick and dense layered structure of sorghum starch is associated with a lower degree of enzymatic hydrolysis. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) analysis showed that higher weight-average molecular weight is associated with a higher RS content to a certain extent, while a higher PDI is unfavorable for the formation of digestion-RS structures due to its association with a reduction in the onset gelatinization temperature. Cultivars AH-3, AH-5, and AH-2 with higher molecular weight, narrower molecular weight distribution and denser nanoscale lamellar structures exhibit superior digestion resistance. This research provides a reference for the screening of low-glycemic-index sorghum varieties and their application in functional foods. Full article

PYL proteins are core components of the abscisic acid (ABA) signaling pathway and are involved in plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. In this study, a total of 19, four, and eight PYL genes were identified in Saccharum spontaneum, the Saccharum spp. hybrid R570, and Sorghum bicolor, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis classified these PYL genes into three distinct groups. Cis-acting element analysis, Gene Ontology annotation, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment and gene expression profile indicated that members of the PYL gene family are mainly associated with hormone signaling and stress-related biological processes. The ScPYL8 gene (GenBank accession number: OR838856) was isolated from sugarcane cultivar QT3. Expression of the ScPYL8 gene was induced under stresses of cold, PEG, SA, MeJA, ABA, and brown stripe disease (Bipolaris setariae). The gene was expressed in roots, stems and leaves, with the highest expression level in leaves. Subcellular localization analysis showed that the ScPYL8 protein localized to the cytoplasm and nucleus. ScPYL8 overexpression in tobacco activated the reactive oxygen species defense system and regulated the ABA and jasmonic acid signaling pathways, enhancing its resistance against Fusarium solani var. coeruleum. These findings provide insights into the expression, function, and evolutionary characteristics of the PYL gene family in sugarcane, offering valuable genetic resources for future molecular breeding. Full article

It is estimated that at least 16.1% of croplands in China are polluted with heavy metals, and cadmium (Cd) is a typical toxic element inhibiting plant growth. Sorghum bicolor × S. sudanense, a C4 plant with high biomass and stress tolerance, has potential for phytoremediation, but its Cd tolerance mechanism remains unclear. In this study, physiological and transcriptomic responses of Cd-tolerant (S6) and sensitive (2190A/201900131) cultivars were analyzed under 25 mg/L Cd stress. The results showed that S6 exhibited milder phenotypic inhibition (leaf yellowing, growth retardation) than the sensitive cultivar. Cd was mainly accumulated in roots (S6: 4988.37 mg/kg; sensitive: 7030.06 mg/kg at 7 d), with S6 having a lower translocation factor. Physiologically, S6 maintained higher chlorophyll content, stable photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm, PI), and lower malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation, while antioxidant enzyme (SOD, CAT, APX) genes were significantly upregulated. Transcriptomic analysis identified 47,797 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), enriched in glutathione metabolism, ABC transporter-mediated transport, metal chelation, and antioxidant defense pathways. Genes related to cell wall biosynthesis, metal transporters (ZIP, HMA), and transcription factors (MYB, WRKY) were synergistically upregulated in S6, enhancing Cd sequestration and detoxification. These findings clarify the physiological and molecular mechanisms of Cd tolerance in Sorghum bicolor × S. sudanense, providing a basis for its application in Cd-contaminated soil phytoremediation. Full article

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is a major cereal crop cultivated in semi-arid regions, but its yield is often constrained by soilborne fungal pathogens that affect plant growth and grain quality. This study explored how Trichoderma-based bioinoculants restructure the structure and functional composition of fungal communities in distinct sorghum compartments (soil, root, seed, and stem) using ITS amplicon sequencing. Two cultivars, Kalatur and Foehn, were evaluated under control and inoculated conditions. Alpha diversity indices revealed that inoculation reduced overall fungal richness and evenness, particularly in seed and stem tissues, while selectively enhancing beneficial taxa. Beta diversity analyses (PERMANOVA, p < 0.01) confirmed significant treatment-driven shifts in community composition. LEfSe analysis identified Trichoderma and Mortierella as biomarkers of inoculated samples, whereas Fusarium, Alternaria, and Penicillium predominated in controls. The enrichment of saprotrophic and symbiotrophic taxa in treated samples, coupled with the decline of pathogenic genera, indicates a transition toward functionally beneficial microbial assemblages. These results demonstrate that Trichoderma bioinoculants not only suppress fungal pathogens but also promote the establishment of beneficial ecological groups contributing to plant and soil health. The present work provides insight into the mechanisms through which microbial inoculants modulate host-associated fungal communities, supporting their use as sustainable tools for crop protection and microbiome management in sorghum-based agroecosystems. Full article

Understanding how environmental factors modulate starch structure and functionality in sorghum is critical for optimizing its application in the food processing and fermentation industries. In this study, two sorghum cultivars with distinct starch types—Liaonian 3 (LN3, waxy) and Liaoza 82 (LZ82, non-waxy)—were cultivated across four major ecological regions in China to systematically investigate the combined effects of temperature and precipitation on grain composition, starch molecular structure, and processing properties. Comprehensive analyses, including scanning electron microscopy, molecular weight profiling, chain-length distribution, crystallinity, molecular order, and thermal/pasting behaviors, demonstrated that precipitation is the predominant environmental factor driving starch biosynthesis and structural assembly. High precipitation levels promoted amylopectin accumulation, shorter chain formation, increased branching degree, and higher crystallinity and molecular order, ultimately enhancing starch thermal stability and paste consistency. Genotypic differences further modulated starch structural patterns and environmental responsiveness, with LN3 consistently exhibiting higher amylopectin content, crystallinity, double-helix proportion, and gelatinization enthalpy compared to LZ82. Correlation analyses revealed genotype-dependent regulatory relationships linking environmental cues to starch structure and processing functionality. These findings provide a comprehensive framework elucidating the environmental regulation of starch structure–function relationships in sorghum, offering theoretical insights for climate-resilient breeding and functional starch development. Full article

Forage scarcity in semi-arid regions necessitates the identification of optimal sorghum cultivars for high-quality silage production. This study systematically evaluated varietal differences in agronomic characteristics, nutritive value, fermentation quality, and bacterial community structure of whole-plant sorghum silage. A completely randomized design was implemented with four sorghum cultivars representative of semi-arid northwestern China: Liaotian1 (LT1), Jinnuo3 (JN3), Jinza2001 (JZ2001), and Jinza1531 (JZ1531). Five quadrats per cultivar in experimental fields were randomly designated as biological replicates for silage production. The plants were harvested at the dough stage, chopped, and ensiled in laboratory-scale silos (n = 20, 4 cultivars × 5 replicates) for 120 days. Analyses included agronomic measurements, chemical composition, fermentation parameters, microbial plate enumeration, and bacterial community profiling via 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing of the V3–V4 hypervariable region. The results showed that cultivar significantly influenced (p < 0.01) all agronomic traits and most nutritional parameters. The forage-type cultivar LT1 showed the highest biomass yield but the lowest nutritional quality, with higher neutral detergent fiber (47.77% vs. 29.21–32.35%; p < 0.05) and lower starch (10.94% vs. 18.10–24.30%; p < 0.05) contents as well as higher dry matter losses (1.39% vs. 0.91–1.23%; p < 0.05) than grain-type cultivars. In contrast, the grain-type cultivar JN3 exhibited balanced yield-quality traits with the highest (p < 0.05) starch (24.30%) and crude protein (7.50%) contents. Most fermentation parameters differed significantly (p < 0.01) among cultivars, with JN3 showing elevated ammonia-nitrogen (0.24 g/kg) but within acceptable ranges. Microbial diversity analysis revealed cultivar-driven differences in bacterial communities, with JN3 enriched in Leuconostoc and early-colonizing taxa (p < 0.05 and LDA Score > 4). It is concluded that the grain-type cultivar JN3 is the most suitable cultivar for whole-plant sorghum silage production in water-limited regions due to its optimal yield-quality balance. The findings underscore the importance of integrated cultivar evaluation and suggest the potential of targeted microbial inoculants for enhancing silage quality. Full article

Saline-alkali stress seriously affects the growth and development of crops. Sorghum bicolor (L.), a C4 plant, is an important cereal crop in the world, and its growth and geographical distribution are limited by alkali conditions. In this study, sorghum genotypes with different alkaline resistance (alkaline-sensitive Z1 and alkaline-tolerant Z14) were used as experimental materials to explore the effects of alkali on sorghum seedlings. RNA-seq technology was used to examine the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in alkali-tolerant Z14 to reveal the molecular mechanism of sorghum response to alkali stress. The results showed that plant height, root length, and biomass of both cultivars decreased with time under 80 mM NaHCO₃ treatment, but Z14 showed better water retention abilities. The photosynthetic fluorescence parameters and chlorophyll content also decreased, but the Fv/Fm, ETH, ΦPSII, and chlorophyll content of Z14 were significantly higher than those of Z1. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) increased in both sorghum varieties under alkali stress, while the enzyme activities of SOD, POD, CAT, and APX were also significantly increased, especially in Z14, resulting in lower ROS compared with Z1. Transcriptome analysis revealed around 6000 DEGs in Z14 sorghum seedlings under alkali stress, among which 267 DEGs were expressed in all comparison groups. KEGG pathways were enriched in the MAPK signaling pathway, plant hormone signal transduction, and RNA transport. bHLHs, ERFs, NACs, MYBs, and other transcription factor families are actively involved in the response to alkali stress. A large number of genes involved in photosynthesis and the antioxidant system were found to be significantly activated under alkali stress. In the stress signal transduction cascades, Ca²⁺ signal transduction pathway-related genes were activated, about 23 PP2Cs in ABA signaling were upregulated, and multiple MAPK and other kinase-related genes were triggered by alkali stress. These findings will help decipher the response mechanism of sorghum to alkali stress and improve its alkali tolerance. Full article

We conducted a three-year field study to evaluate the above-ground biomass yield, plant height, and tillering capacity of eight Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench varieties under two contrasting soil conditions (heavy clay soil and sandy soil) with different water retention. At the Field Experimental Station Žabčice of Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic, we assessed yield performance and yield stability across years and environments. We applied standard agronomic practices and recorded detailed soil and climatic data. Significant differences were found among varieties and between locations in terms of plant height and tillering. KWS SOLE showed the most stable yield (11.80–15.63 t ha⁻¹), while LATTE, KWS TARZAN, and KWS HANNIBAL achieved the highest average yields (up to 20.16 t ha⁻¹). Plant height showed a strong positive correlation with biomass yield. This relationship underscores plant height as a valuable trait for selecting sorghum varieties with improved productivity and drought resilience. Variations in tillering capacity and environmental conditions also significantly influenced yield outcomes, highlighting the complex interaction between genotype and environment. These findings offer practical insights for cultivar selection and breeding strategies that aim to enhance the performance of sorghum varieties under the variable climatic conditions of Central Europe. Full article