Search Results (312)

Achieving food security for a growing population under a changing climate is a key concern in Senegal, where agriculture employs 77% of the workforce with a majority of small farmers who rely on the production of crops for their subsistence and for income generation. Moreover, due to the underproductive soils and variable rainfall, Senegal depends on imports to fulfil 70% of its food requirements. In this research, we considered four crops that are crucial for Senegalese agriculture: millet, sorghum, peanuts and rice. We used crop simulation models to explore existing yield gaps and optimal agronomic practices. Improving the N fertilizer management in sorghum and millet resulted in 40–100% increases in grain yields. Improved N symbiotic fixation in peanuts resulted in yield increases of 20–100% with highest impact in wetter locations. Optimizing irrigation management and N fertilizer use resulted in 20–40% gains. The best N fertilizer strategy for sorghum and millet included applying low rates at sowing and in early development stages and adjusting a third application, considering the expected rainfall. Peanut yields of the variety 73-33 were higher than Fleur-11 in all locations, and irrigation showed no clear economic advantage. The best N fertilizer management for rainfed rice included applying 30 kg N/ha at sowing, 25 days after sowing (DAS) and 45 DAS. The best combination of sowing dates for a possible double rice crop depended on irrigation costs, with a first crop planted in January or March and a second crop planted in July. Our work confirmed results obtained in field research experiments and identified management practices for increasing productivity and reducing yield variability. Those crop management practices can be implemented in pilot experiments to further validate the results and to disseminate best management practices for farmers in Senegal. Full article

In this study, whole grain sorghum flour was used to partially substitute the gluten-free flour blend in cookie formulation at 20% (C20) and 40% (C40) replacement levels. The goal was to explore its potential to improve the nutritional value and sensory appeal of cookies relative to conventional and commercially available gluten-free alternatives. Nutritional analysis revealed that cookies with added sorghum flour showed increased levels of protein, ash, and polyphenolic compounds, while maintaining favorable macronutrient profiles. Notably, several bioactive compounds, such as gallic acid, caffeic acid, and apigenin, were detected exclusively in sorghum-containing samples, suggesting enhanced functional properties. Despite these compositional changes, textural measurements showed no significant differences in hardness or fracturability compared with the control. Sensory profiling using the Rate-All-That-Apply (RATA) method demonstrated that both samples (C20 and C40) achieved balanced results in terms of aroma as well as texture and were generally well accepted by the panel. The results indicate that moderate inclusion of sorghum flour (20% and 40%) can improve the sensory and nutritional profiles of gluten-free cookies without compromising product acceptability. Sorghum thus offers a promising pathway for the development of high-quality, health-oriented, gluten-free bakery products. Full article

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. Full article

The ameliorative mechanism of biochar in reducing soil greenhouse gas emissions in arid saline farmland remains unclear. A two-year field study in sorghum farmland in China’s Hetao Irrigation District was conducted to assess the influence of corn straw-derived biochar on GHG emissions and explore the role of soil physicochemical properties in regulating GHG fluxes. Four different biochar application rates were tested: 0 (CK), 15 (C15), 30 (C30), and 45 t hm⁻² (C45). Compared to CK, C15 reduced CH₄ emissions by 15.2% and seasonal CH₄ flux by 77.0%. The N₂O flux followed CK > C45 > C30 > C15 from 2021 to 2022. C15 and C30 significantly decreased GWP, mitigating GHG emission intensity. Biochar application enhanced sorghum grain yield. Soil temperature was the primary determinant of CH₄ flux (total effect = 0.92). In the second year, biochar’s influence on CH₄ emissions increased by 0.76. Multivariate SEM identified soil moisture (total effect = −0.72) and soil temperature (total effect = −0.70) as primary negative regulators of N₂O fluxes. C40 lead to salt accumulation, which increases CH₄ emissions but inhibits N₂O emissions. Averaged over two years, GWP under C15 and C30 decreased by 76.5–106.7% and 5.3–56.1%, respectively, compared to CK. Overall, the application of biochar at a rate of 15 t hm⁻² significantly reduced CH₄ and N₂O emissions and increased sorghum yield. Full article

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. Full article

Ancient grains, including wild rice, millet, fonio, teff, quinoa, amaranth, and sorghum, are re-emerging as vital components of modern diets due to their dense nutritional profiles and diverse health-promoting bioactive compounds. Rich in high-quality proteins, dietary fiber, essential micronutrients, and a broad spectrum of bioactive compounds such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, carotenoids, phytosterols, and betalains, these grains exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, cardioprotective, and immunomodulatory properties. Their health-promoting effects are underpinned by multiple interconnected mechanisms, including the reduction in oxidative stress, modulation of inflammatory pathways, regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism, support for mitochondrial function, and enhancement of gut microbiota composition. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of the essential nutrients, phytochemicals, and functional properties of ancient grains, with particular emphasis on the nutritional and molecular mechanisms through which they contribute to the prevention and management of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. Additionally, it highlights the growing application of ancient grains in functional foods and nutrition-sensitive dietary strategies, alongside the technological, agronomic, and consumer-related challenges limiting their broader adoption. Future research priorities include well-designed human clinical trials, standardization of compositional data, innovations in processing for nutrient retention, and sustainable cultivation to fully harness the health, environmental, and cultural benefits of ancient grains within global food systems. Full article

The growing global prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is drawing an increasing amount of attention to the health-promoting potential of whole-grain dietary fibers. Whole grains are rich sources of both soluble dietary fiber (SDF) and insoluble dietary fiber (IDF), contributing distinct physicochemical properties and playing vital roles in promoting human health. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the dietary fiber compositions of various whole grains, including wheat, oats, barley, rye, corn, sorghum, and rice, highlighting their structural characteristics, physiochemical properties, and associated health benefits. The physicochemical properties of dietary fibers, such as solubility, water- and oil-holding capacity, viscosity, swelling ability, and bile-acid-binding capacity, contribute significantly to their technological applications and potential health benefits, particularly in the prevention of NCDs. Although there is growing evidence supporting their health benefits, global whole-grain intake remains below recommended levels. Therefore, promoting whole-grain intake and developing fiber-rich functional foods are essential for enhancing public health and preventing chronic diseases. Future research should focus on enhancing the bioavailability and functionality of whole-grain dietary fibers, optimizing the methods by which they are extracted, and exploring their potential applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Full article

Grain size is a crucial agronomic trait that significantly impacts yield potential in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), making it a key focus for genetic improvement. In this study, we investigated the genetic basis of grain size variation using two contrasting sorghum accessions, PI302232 (small grain, Sg) and PI563512 (large grain, Lg). The 1000-grain weight, grain length, and grain width of Lg were 3.63-fold, 1.22-fold, and 1.65-fold higher than Sg, respectively. The 1000-grain weight in the F₂ segregating population derived from the cross Sg and Lg parents exhibited the highest phenotypic variation and followed a normal distribution in the three traits. Using bulked segregant analysis sequencing (BSA-seq) with small- and large-grain bulks from the F₂ population, two major quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for grain size were identified on chromosomes 1 and 3. Fine mapping with SSR markers narrowed the qGS1 locus to a 1.03 Mb region on chromosome 1 (Chr01: 22,001,448–23,035,593), containing 49 candidate genes. To narrow down potential candidate genes, transcriptome analysis of spike tissues from Sg and Lg at 0 and 14 days after heading revealed 3719 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), primarily enriched in “starch and sucrose metabolism” and “phenylpropanoid biosynthesis” pathways. Integrating fine mapping intervals and RNA-seq data, 6 DEGs were identified within the qGS1 region. Quantitative real-time PCR confirmed that 6 genes exhibited different expression at two stages. The expression and bioinformatics analysis showed Sobic.001G230700 was the most likely candidate gene for the qGS1 locus. This study provides new insights into the genetic regulation of grain size and a new target to improve grain size in sorghum. Full article

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor, (L.) Moench.), is one of the most important cereals in semi-arid and subtropical regions of Africa. However, in these regions, sorghum cultivation is often faced with several constraints. In Mali, terminal or post-flowering drought, caused by the early cessation of rains towards the end of the rainy season, is one of the most common constraints. Sorghum is generally adapted to harsh conditions. However, drought combined to heat reduce its yield and production in tropical and subtropical regions. To identify parents of sorghum hybrids tolerant to post-flowering drought for commercial hybrids development and deployment, a total of 200 genotypes, including male and female parents of the hybrids, were evaluated in 2022 by lysimeters under two water regimes, well-irrigated and water-stressed, at ICRISAT in Niger. Agronomic traits such as phenological stages, physiological traits including transpiration efficiency, and morphological traits such as green leaf number were recorded. Genotype × environment (G × E) interaction was significant for harvest index (HI), green leaf number (GLN), and transpiration efficiency (TE), indicating different responses of genotypes under varying water conditions. Transpiration efficiency (TE) was significantly and positively correlated with total biomass (BT), harvest index (HI), and grain weight (GW) under both stress conditions. Genotypes ICSV216094, ICSB293, ICSV1049, ICSV1460016, and ICSV216074 performed better under optimal and stress conditions. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) results led to the identification of three groups of genotypes. The Groups 1 and 3 are characterized by their yield stability and better performance under stress and optimal conditions. These two groups could be used by breeding programs to develop high yield and drought tolerant hybrids. Full article

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) is the fifth largest cereal crop in the world and widely used in the fields of food, feed, brewing, and fuel, while knowledge is mostly limited for sorghum grain development, including starch biosynthesis. B3 family transcription factors (TFs) play a crucial role in plant development, including grain development, dormancy, and storage of nutrients. In the present study, a comprehensive analysis of sorghum B3 genes was performed, and a total of 76 related genes were identified to be distributed on 10 chromosomes across the whole sorghum genome. According to the sequence features, the sorghum B3 family members were divided into four sub-families of ARF, RAV, LAV, and REM. Multiple elements, i.e., light-responsive elements, phytohormone-responsive elements, growth and development-related elements, and stress-responsive elements, were discovered to be located within the 2000 bp upstream of the translation start site. Results of expression analysis across multiple tissues suggested significantly different expression patterns of sorghum B3 genes. Further assays confirmed that SbLAV1, which belonged to the LAV subfamily of B3, co-expressed with 15 key starch biosynthesis-related genes (SBRGs), and the corresponding product of SbLAV1 could activate the promoter activities of multiple key SBRGs. Collectively, the integrative results of the present study indicate that B3 family members, including SbLAV1, might play critical roles in starch biosynthesis and grain development in sorghum. Full article

The primary ingredients in poultry feed, cereals, are among the most widely used crops in worldwide agriculture, with principal staples being wheat, rice, corn (maize), sorghum, barley, oat and millet. The scope of this review is to provide a detailed comparative analysis of the nutritive values of cereal crops, and the antinutrients they contain, with reference specifically to their use for feeding poultry. These cereal crops range in biological value from 55 to 77.7%, in protein digestibility from 77 to 99.7%, and in net protein utilization from 50 to 73.8%. Most essential amino acids, including lysine, are found in cereal grains, whereas the nutritional value of cereals is impacted by antinutritional elements. These include non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs), such as pentosans (arabinoxylans) and β-glucan, as well as alkylresorcinols. Around 100 g/kg of pentosans are found in rye, 50–80 g/kg in wheat and 68–92 g/kg in triticale. There are strategies to reduce NSPs and other antinutrients and maximize the effectiveness of utilizing grains in compound feed for poultry. These include the application of enzyme preparations, along with dry and wet extrusion methods, for processing grains. By restricting our narrative to a direct comparison of all major staples for poultry feed, we conclude that further research is required specifically in the area of determining how economically viable it is to feed adult and young chickens with compound feeds containing various cereal crops. Furthermore, we speculate on the utility of employing enzyme preparations and extrudates to maximize feed efficiency. Full article

Waxy sorghum–soybean intercropping is a sustainable and intensive farming system in southwest China. However, there is limited knowledge about the effects of intercropped soybean combined with nitrogen application on nitrogen uptake and utilization in waxy sorghum. A two-year (2023 and 2024) field experiment was carried out using a randomized complete block design with three planting patterns and three nitrogen application rates to explore the responses of grain yield formation and nitrogen uptake, accumulation, transportation, metabolism physiology, and utilization of waxy sorghum for intercropped soybean combined with nitrogen application. Planting patterns included sole cropped waxy sorghum (SCW), sole cropped soybean (SCS), and waxy sorghum intercropped with soybean (WSI), and nitrogen application rates included zero nitrogen (N0), medium nitrogen (N1), and high nitrogen (N2). Results showed that the dry matter accumulation amount, nitrogen content, nitrogen accumulation amount, nitrogen transportation amount, nitrogen transportation rate, contribution rate of nitrogen transportation to grains, nitrogen metabolizing enzymes activities (including nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase, glutamine synthetase, glutamate synthetase, glutamate dehydrogenase, and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase), and active substances contents (including soluble sugar, soluble protein, and free amino acid) in various organs of waxy sorghum among planting patterns and nitrogen application rates were in the order of WSI > SCW and N1 > N2 > N0, respectively. In addition, the nitrogen uptake efficiency, nitrogen agronomy efficiency, nitrogen apparent efficiency, nitrogen recovery efficiency, nitrogen partial factor productivity, and nitrogen contribution rate of waxy sorghum among planting patterns and nitrogen application rates were in the sequence of WSI > SCW and N1 > N2, respectively. The changes in above traits resulted in the WSI-N1 treatment obtaining the highest grain yield (6020.66 kg ha⁻¹ in 2023 and 6159.81 kg ha⁻¹ in 2024), grain weight per spike (65.22 g in 2023 and 64.51 g in 2024), 1000-grain weight (23.14 g in 2023 and 23.18 g in 2024) of waxy sorghum, and land equivalent ratio (1.41 in 2023 and 1.44 in 2024). Overall, waxy sorghum intercropped with soybean combined with medium nitrogen application (220 kg ha⁻¹ for waxy sorghum and 18 kg ha⁻¹ for soybean) can help enhance the nitrogen uptake and utilization of waxy sorghum by improving nitrogen metabolizing enzymes’ activities and active substances’ contents, thereby promoting its productivity. Full article

Planting density can influence the growth and potential yield of grain sorghum systems, particularly in resource-limited environments. Therefore, documenting the sorghum’s response to different planting densities is essential for understanding crop behavior in relation to optimal yields. A study was conducted in Lahoma and Perkins, Oklahoma, in 2019 and 2020 to assess the impact of varying planting densities and within-row planting in-row gaps. Planting density varied from 43,225 to 223,500 plants ha⁻¹. Three additional treatments were implemented at 148,000 plants ha⁻¹ with 0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 m gaps. An increase in plant density resulted in higher yields at Lahoma in 2019. However, at Perkins in 2019 and 2020, yields were optimized at 148,000 and 111,000 plants ha⁻¹, respectively, and decreased as planting densities diminished. In-row gaps of 0.3 and 0.6 m did not significantly affect yields across all site-years; however, at Perkins, the 0.9 m gap significantly reduced yields compared to stands without gaps in both years. Overall, a direct relationship was observed between sorghum yields and planting density. Further evaluation of in-row gaps and how planting management should be adjusted is warranted based on the presented information. Full article

Soil–water management is fundamental to plant ecophysiology, directly affecting plant resilience under both anthropogenic and natural stresses. Understanding Agricultural Soil–Water Management Properties (ASWMPs) is therefore essential for optimizing water availability, enhancing harvest resilience, and enabling informed decision-making in intelligent irrigation systems, particularly in the face of climate variability and soil degradation. In this regard, the present research develops predictive models for ASWMPs based on the grain size distribution and dry bulk density of soils, integrating both traditional mathematical approaches and advanced computational techniques. By examining 900 soil samples from the NaneSoil database, spanning diverse crop species (Avena sativa L., Daucus carota L., Hordeum vulgare L., Medicago sativa L., Phaseolus vulgaris L., Sorghum vulgare Pers., Triticum aestivum L., and Zea mays L.), several predictive models are proposed for three key ASWMPs: soil-saturated hydraulic conductivity, field capacity, and permanent wilting point. Mathematical models demonstrate high accuracy (71.7–96.4%) and serve as practical agronomic tools but are limited in capturing complex soil–plant-water interactions. Meanwhile, a Deep Neural Network (DNN)-based model significantly enhances predictive performance (91.4–99.7% accuracy) by uncovering nonlinear relationships that govern soil moisture retention and plant water availability. These findings contribute to precision agriculture by providing robust tools for soil–water management, ultimately supporting plant resilience against environmental challenges such as drought, salinization, and soil compaction. Full article

Sorghum is a nutritious, healthy, gluten-free whole grain, with the United States (U.S.) leading its production globally. While sorghum is consumed worldwide, it is mainly used for animal feed and biofuel in the U.S. Organoleptic characteristics and consumers’ perceptions determine food acceptance and eating behavior. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the acceptance of and eating and purchase intentions toward sorghum-based foods among college students in a southern university in the U.S. Eighty-three students participated in a series of sensory evaluations using two sets of four sorghum samples each and a 15 min break. Seven sensory attributes were evaluated with a nine-point hedonic scale, and a five-point scale was used for eating and purchase intentions. To assess the panelists’ acceptance, the overall acceptance scale score (range: 1–9) was normalized (range: 0–100) and used for analyses. Spiced sorghum cookies (77.95 ± 14.23) had the highest acceptance, followed by sorghum shrimp grits (74.51 ± 19.42). Overall acceptance, eating intention, and purchase intention were strongly associated across all food items, although the strength differed by food type. Sorghum-based foods were accepted despite the participants’ lack of exposure to sorghum and its null consumption. These outcomes will help to develop innovative sorghum-based foods to facilitate sorghum consumption and benefit consumer health in the U.S. Full article