Morphological diversity in sorghum germplasm from India

Summary Of the 5000 sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Monench) germplasm accessions assembled at ICRISAT Asia Center (IAC), over 4000 accessions from 11 major sorghum growing states in India were evaluated for morphological and agronomical characters at IAC during rainy and postrainy seasons.Considerable diversity was observed for all the characters studied. Diversity was more among states than within states. Variation among the seasons was also considerable. Days to flowering ranged from 42 to 129 days during postrainy and 33 to 180 days during the rainy season indicating their day length sensitivity. Plant height ranged from 65 to 330 cm during postrainy and 75 to 655 cm during rainy season. Panicle length ranged from 5 cm to 52 cm and panicle width from 1 to 51 cm. Erect and compact panicles are more frequent although all possible panicle shapes and compactness were found. In general, sorghums from India produce medium to large, lustrous grains in which the subcoat (testa) is absent. All the 5 basic and 10 intermediate sorghum races were found in India though durra or half-durra predominate. Racial diversity is maximal in the state of Andhra Pradesh followed by Maharashatra state. In the world collection a majority of the sources of resistance to shoot fly, stem borer, and striga are from India. Based on diversity for morphological and agronomical characters, India could be considered as the secondary center of diversity. Sorghum germplasm from India is useful for good quality large grain.     

Quantitative analysis of anticancer 3-deoxyanthocyanidins in infected sorghum seedlings

3-Deoxyanthocyanidins are structurally related to the anthocyanin pigments, which are popular as health-promoting phytochemicals. Here, it is demonstrated that the 3-deoxyanthocyanidins are more cytotoxic on human cancer cells than the 3-hydroxylated anthocyanidin analogues. At 200 microM concentration, luteolinidin reduced the viability of HL-60 and HepG2 cells by 90 and 50%, respectively. Sorghum is a major source of 3-deoxyanthocyanidins, which are present as seed pigments and as phytoalexins responding to pathogen attack. On the basis of the collision-induced dissociation spectra of luteolinidin and apigeninidin, an LC-MS/MS method, operating in multiple-reaction monitoring mode, was developed for the specific detection and accurate quantification of these compounds in complex mixtures, which may be difficult to analyze using absorbance measurements. The results demonstrated that inoculated sorghum seedlings could be utilized for convenient and large-scale production of 3-deoxyanthocyanidins. A quantity of almost 270 microg/g (fresh weight) of luteolinidin was produced 72 h after fungal inoculation of 1-week-old seedlings.     

调整产业结构,发展甜高梁酒精燃料产业

随着"汽车时代"的到来,能耗与日俱增,自1993年起,我国已成为石油净进口国,2001年进口7000多万t,占我国石油加工能力的36%,能源安全已面临挑战.由于汽车尾气排放出大量的污染物,使大气中CO2的含量增加,加剧温室效应和导致酸雨的危险,尾气排出的铅,更遗害无穷.甜高粱(Sorghum bicolor(L.)Moench)具有极高的光合速率,故有"高能植物"之称.在我国,甜高粱的单位面积酒精产量远高于玉米、甜菜和甘蔗,更由于甜高梁耐旱、耐涝、耐盐碱,特别适于我国栽培,加之在甜高粱研究与新品种选育这一领域我国居世界领先地位,开发甜高粱酒精燃料的时机已经成熟,它将对我国产业结构的调整、能源安全、环境保护起举足轻重的作用.     

Screening methods to measure antioxidant activity of sorghum (sorghum bicolor) and sorghum products

Specialty sorghums, their brans, and baked and extruded products were analyzed for antioxidant activity using three methods: oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). All sorghum samples were also analyzed for phenolic contents. Both ABTS and DPPH correlated highly with ORAC (R(2) = 0.99 and 0.97, respectively, n = 18). Phenol contents of the sorghums correlated highly with their antioxidant activity measured by the three methods (R(2) >or= 0.96). The ABTS and DPPH methods, which are more cost effective and simpler, were demonstrated to have similar predictive power as ORAC on sorghum antioxidant activity. There is a need to standardize these methods to allow for data comparisons across laboratories.     

Characterization of polymeric proteins from vitreous and floury sorghum endosperm

Differences in protein content and composition between vitreous and floury endosperm were investigated using a number of different techniques. Differences in protein cross-linking between vitreous and floury endosperm were investigated using differential solubility, size exclusion chromatography (SEC), and analysis of sulfhydryl content and composition. Vitreous endosperm was found to have higher levels of total protein and kafirins, but floury endosperm had a higher proportion of gamma-kafirins than the vitreous. Floury endosperm was found to have higher levels of SDS-soluble proteins than SDS-insoluble proteins extracted using sonication than vitreous endosperm. Conversely, vitreous endosperm had a greater proportion of the insoluble proteins. SEC analysis of the polymeric proteins revealed that the insoluble proteins had more polymeric proteins than did the soluble proteins, indicating greater cross-linking and a larger Mw distribution. Vitreous endosperm was also found to have a greater percentage (i.e., a higher ratio of disulfide to total sulfhydryls) of disulfide bonds than floury endosperm. These results show that the proteins in vitreous endosperm have a higher degree of cross-linking and a greater Mw distribution than those found in floury endosperm.     

甜高粱茎秆固态发酵生产燃料乙醇研究

该文通过研究甜高粱茎秆M-81E固态发酵生产燃料乙醇的主要影响因素,确定发酵条件为:耐高温酿酒酵母接种量为3%,发酵初始基质含水率为76%,添加0.25?Cl2,0.25%MgS04·7H2O,40℃发酵24 h,乙醇得率为6.42 g/(100g)甜高粱茎秆,转化率为90.5%,残糖含量低于0.3%;添加10 FPU/g纤维素酶和10 CBU/g β-葡萄糖苷酶,进行同步糖化固态发酵,乙醇得率为7.53 g/(100 g)甜高粱茎秆,与不添加纤维素酶和β-葡萄糖苷酶的相比,乙醇得率提高了14.6%.     

连作对高粱生长及根区土壤环境的影响

以玉米－高粱轮作为对照,研究连作对高粱生长、产量的影响及根区土壤中酶活性和微生物的变化。结果表明：高粱连作3年对产量的抑制开始显现。与轮作相比,连作3年高粱的株高、茎粗、叶面积、生物量显著降低,连作4年更为明显;连作4年高粱根系生长也明显受到影响,0~40 cm深度范围内根系的生物量、根表面积和根体积分别仅为轮作的61.5％、84.4％、73.8％。连作4年增加了土壤中可培养真菌数量,在拔节期和灌浆期分别是轮作的1.9、1.3倍,而对细菌和放线菌的影响没有明显规律;连作显著增加土壤中过氧化氢酶、蔗糖酶的活性,分别比轮作增加了14.7％、17.2％。由此可见,连作不仅抑制高粱植株的生长,并对土壤中微生物区系组成和酶活性产生显著影响。     

Isolation and characterization of enzymes involved in lysine catabolism from sorghum seeds

Lysine is an essential amino acid synthesized in plants via the aspartic acid pathway. The catabolism of lysine is performed by the action of two consecutive enzymes, lysine 2-oxoglutarate reductase (LOR, EC 1.5.1.8) and saccharopine dehydrogenase (SDH, EC 1.5.1.9). The final soluble lysine concentration in cereal seeds is controlled by both synthesis and catabolism rates. The production and characterization of high-lysine plants species depends on knowledge of the regulatory aspects of lysine metabolism and manipulation of the key enzymes. We have for the first time isolated, partially purified, and characterized LOR and SDH from developing sorghum seeds, which exhibited low levels of activity. LOR and SDH were only located in the endosperm and were very unstable during the isolation and purification procedures. LOR and SDH exhibited some distinct properties when compared to the enzymes isolated from other plant species, including a low salt concentration required to elute the enzymes during anion-exchange chromatography and the presence of multimeric forms with distinct molecular masses.     

Calcium (45Ca2+) efflux from sorghum root tips

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. cv GP‐10] root tips (1‐cm) were exposed to ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ for 1 hr. Root tips were washed in 0.01M EDTA for 5, 10, 15, 30, and 60 min. Calcium (⁴⁵Ca²⁺) remaining in the roots decreased on a T_1/2 = 12–13 minutes scale, which represents Ca²⁺‐ATPase activity in the GP‐10 root tips (1‐cm).     

Ensiling properties of sweet sorghum

Abstract

Sweet sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] cultivars have been bred for high sugar content; with accompanying adequate forage yield, the crop may offer potential for ensiling. “Wray”; sweet sorghum, a good sugar producer, was grown under field conditions to determine nutritional quality and subsequent animal performance of silage from the yield. In one experiment, “Wray”; was compared to “FS‐5”;, medium‐tall forage sorghum, at four reproductive stages of growth, in regard to agronomic characteristics and chemical composition. In another study, the “Wray”; sweet sorghum was harvested in early and late reproductive stages and stored in experimental silos. Ensiling losses were measured; in addition, the silages were offered to sheep to determine in vivo digestibility (IVODMD) and intake. In the first experiment, dry matter yields of both sweet and forage sorghum increased during the reproductive period, from 6.2 to 11.9 and 7.7 to 13.9 Mg/ha, respectively; at maturity, grain yields were 651 and 3,526 kg/ha, respectively. Total available carbohydrates tended to be higher in the forage type (23.4%) than in the sweet sorghum (19.9%). Average in vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD) was similar for both sorghums at 60.2%, but sweet sorghum IVDMD tended to be higher than forage sorghum at the hard‐dough stage (61.4 versus 55.1%) . In the second experiment, intake was greater when lambs were offered hard‐dough stage silage (1,240 g/lamb/day) versus bloom‐stage silage (878 g/lamb/day), even though IVODMD was similar (average 60.6%) at both harvest stages. The silages appeared to be properly ensiled, as silage pH was less than 4.0; however, effluent and dry matter losses were greater with bloom‐stage silage. These differences probably were due to the slight dry matter differential between the two <22.3 and 26.6%, respectively). To maximize yield, sweet sorghum should be ensiled at the hard‐dough stage. Resulting silage may be higher in digestible dry matter than that of medium‐tall forage sorghums, which produce grain.     

Structure and properties of natural cellulose fibers obtained from sorghum leaves and stems

For the first time, sorghum leaves and stems have been used to produce natural cellulose fibers with properties suitable for composite, textile, and other high-value fibrous applications. The leaf and stems fibers produced are multicellular and have similar cellulose contents. The breaking tenacity and elongation of the fibers are similar to that of natural cellulose fibers such as kenaf and cornstalk fibers. However, the sorghum fibers have a modulus of about 113 g/denier (15 GPa) similar to the modulus of cornstalk fibers but higher than that of cotton and cornhusk fibers. At least 7 million tons of natural cellulose fibers can be produced by using the sorghum stems and leaves available as byproducts every year. Using the sorghum byproducts as a source for cellulose fibers will help to add value to the sorghum crops and also make the fiber industry more sustainable.     

Soil microbial population and nitrogen-transforming bacteria from 11-year sorghum tillage plots

Soil tillage alters crop residue placement, soil moisture and soil physical properties, which in turn may affect soil chemical and microbial properties. The impact of tillage on microbial populations was investigated by studying soil microbiological, physical and chemical properties after 11 years of a tillage management experiment with continuous sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) on an Orelia sandy clay loam (fine-loamy, mixed, hyperthermic Typic Ochraqualf). Soil from 0–7.5 and 7.5–15 cm depths was sampled from four replications of moldboard plow (MB), conventional till (CT), minimum till (MT) and no-till (NT) treatments in March (before planting) and May (during the growing season), 1989. Heterotrophic bacteria (HB) and actinomycete populations differed among tillage treatments before planting. Soil microbial populations differed with soil depth among all tillage treatments before the growing season (when no plants were present), but were similar among tillage treatments when counts by soil depth were composited, indicating that, although microbial distribution differed, total populations were similar. During the growing season, actinomycetes were lower in NT treatments, while HB counts were not significantly different between treatments. The similarity between treatments was attributed to drier soil conditions and the effect of plant roots in all treatments, which may have stimulated microbes similarly in all treatments. Ammonium oxidizers were lowest and dentrifiers highest in the NT soil a the 0–7.5 cm depth before planting. The sample obtained during the growing season indicated that soil nitrifier populations were usually greater in MT and NT treatments. The MB and CT treatments had significantly larger amounts of soil moisture, clay and nitrate than the NT and MT treatments, indicating that soil physical properties and nitrate levels were altered by tillage treatment. Soil nitrate was significantly correlated with nitrogen-transforming bacteria in several instances, although there was no predictable effect from soil depth or sampling date. In some instances, nitrifier counts fell and denitrifier counts increased as soil nitrate increased. HB and actinomycete population levels were not significantly correlated with the soil physical or chemical properties measured in this study. Although there were tillage treatment differences in soil physical (moisture, bulk density and clay content), chemical (nitrate-nitrogen, NO₃---N) and microbiological properties (HB, actinomycetes, and denitrifier, nitrifier and ammonium oxidizer activity), generalizations about tillage system effects on soil microbiological properties were difficult to confirm because of the temporal nature of these differences.     

抗生素对高粱茎尖再生的影响及再生体系的建立

研究羧苄青霉素、头孢霉素、潮霉素和卡那霉素4种抗生素对高粱茎尖再生的影响及再生体系的建立结果表明,MS培养基中添加甘氨酸、乙二胺四乙酸的铁络合物(Fe-EDTA)和抗坏血酸等有机物有利于高粱茎尖的分化与生长。农杆菌介导的高粱茎尖遗传转化过程中羧苄青霉素为最理想抗生素,最佳浓度为250mg／L。并初步确立了高粱茎尖农杆菌介导的遗传转化过程中抑菌和转化体的筛选策略。     

抗生素对高粱茎尖再生的影响及再生体系的建立

研究羧苄青霉素、头孢霉素、潮霉素和卡那霉素4种抗生素对高粱茎尖再生的影响及再生体系的建立结果表明,MS培养基中添加甘氨酸、乙二胺四乙酸的铁络合物(Fe EDTA)和抗坏血酸等有机物有利于高粱茎尖的分化与生长。农杆菌介导的高粱茎尖遗传转化过程中羧苄青霉素为最理想抗生素,最佳浓度为2 5 0mg/ L。并初步确立了高粱茎尖农杆菌介导的遗传转化过程中抑菌和转化体的筛选策略     

Foliar diagnostic norms for sorghum

Abstract

The Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System, previously applied successfully to many other crops, is shown to be an appropriate foliar diagnostic tool for sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) with respect to N, P, K, Ca and Mg. The norms were developed from a data bank comprising 907 observations of tissue composition and yield gathered from the literature and investigators’ files. The total population of observations is divided into a high and low subpopulation on the basis of yield. Those forms of expressing tissue composition which discriminate best between the two subpopulations are used to compute DRIS indices which measure the extent of the deviation from the established norm. An independent set of data from two field experiments is used to show that the norms can validly diagnose nutrient insufficiences which when, corrected result, in yield increases.     

Nitrogen efficiency in grain sorghum

Grain sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (1.) Moench has not been fully evaluated for its variability in nitrogen efficiency. A 2‐year study using 12 hybrids was conducted and nitrogen efficiency was calculated as: 1. total dry matter (DM) per unit N uptake (NE₁), 2. total grain yield per unit N uptake (NE₂), and 3. the product of NE₂ and the grain N:stover N ratio (NE₃). NE₁ values increased with plant age and were significantly different among hybrids at all stages of growth. A 20% difference in NE₁ was found between the least and most efficient hybrids at maturity. A significant hybrid x year interaction showed that the environment strongly influenced hybrid ranking. Hybrids which ranked high in one year often did poorly the other year and visa versa for NE₁, NE₂, or NE₃. Each N efficiency criterion ranked the hybrids differently, although NE₁ and NE₂ appeared to be the most closely related. Hybrids generally maintained satisfactory values for NE₃ if one parent (either male or female) had a high NE₃ value in hybrid combination. Differences were more dramatic for partitioning of N between grain and stover than for NE values among hybrids. Due to environmental influences, it appears that at least 3 or more years of data may be needed in order to establish consistent trends for N efficiency in grain sorghum.     

Uncommonly high levels of 3-deoxyanthocyanidins and antioxidant capacity in the leaf sheaths of dye sorghum

Extracts from leaf sheaths of farmers' varieties of dye sorghum cultivated and used in Benin as a source of biocolorings were analyzed for their anthocyanidin and phenolic contents, as well as their antioxidant capacity. The aim was to identify and quantify the types of anthocyanin and phenolic acids. The total anthocyanin content of the leaf sheaths ranged from 13.7 to 35.5 mg of cyanidin 3-glucoside equivalent/g of dry matter (DM), with an average of 27.0 mg/g. The total anthocyanin content is 90 times higher than levels usually reported in fruits and vegetables. Anthocyanin consisted essentially of apigeninidin and luteolinidin, two 3-deoxyanthocyanidins with many applications in food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries. The apigeninidin content of the leaf sheaths was 30 times higher than that in cereal bran and ranged from 14.7 to 45.8 mg/g, with an average of 31.3 mg/g. The amount of luteolinidin ranged from 0.4 to 2.4 mg/g, with a mean of 1.2 mg/g. The total phenolic content expressed as gallic acid equivalent averaged 95.5 mg/g. The free phenolic acids identified were benzoic acid, p-coumaric acid, and o-coumaric acid at amounts of 801.4, 681.6, and 67.9 μg/g, respectively. The leaf sheaths of dye sorghum have an antioxidant capacity [3.8-5.6 mmol of Trolox equivalent (TE)/g of DM] much higher than that reported for cereal bran and fruits and vegetables.     

Chromatographic separation and in vitro activity of sorgoleone congeners from the roots of sorghum bicolor

Sorgoleone, 2-hydroxy-5-methoxy-3-[(8'Z,11'Z)-8',11',14'-pentadecatriene]-p-benzoquinone (1), and its corresponding hydroquinone are the major components of the root exudate of Sorghum bicolor. The name sorgoleone includes minor analogues differing in the length or degree of unsaturation of the 3-alkyl side chain. These compounds are known to be phytotoxic, probably through inhibition of photosystem II (PSII) driven oxygen evolution, as previously demonstrated for 1. Isolation of these sorgoleone congeners was achieved by C(8) column chromatography and argentation thin-layer chromatography, and the purified compounds were structurally characterized. The abilities of the minor sorgoleones to inhibit PSII were similar to that of the major compound, suggesting that all of these sorgoleone congeners contribute to the overall allelopathy of sorghum.     

预处理甜高粱茎秆残渣的热解动力学研究

采用热重法对甜高粱茎秆残渣四个样品(原生物质、盐酸酸洗、3%氯化钾加入及10%氯化钾加入)的热解动力学进行了研究。结果表明4个样品的热解可分为4个阶段，随着升温速率的提高，主反应区热重曲线和微分热重曲线都向高温方向移动，热解最大速率以及相对应的温度随之提高；盐酸酸洗有利于挥发分的生成，一定量氯化钾的参与可以提高炭产量。Satava机理函数推断法得出原生物质和氯化钾加入的甜高粱茎秆残渣热解符合Zhuralev-Lesakin-Tempelman方程－三维扩散；酸洗甜高粱茎秆残渣热解符合Valensi方程－二维扩散，圆柱形对称。