Effect of Roasting on Whole Grain Barnyard Millet to the Proximate Composition, Amino Acid Profile, Total Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Activity

@#Introduction: Barnyard millet, an ancient grain that serves as a staple food and a key component of many diets, requires processing before consumption. Roasting is a common processing method that can enhance millet palatability. However, it is important to ensure that the nutritional properties are well preserved. Hence, this study investigated the influence of roasting on the proximate composition, amino acid composition, total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity of the whole grain barnyard millet sample. Method: The roasted sample of whole grain barnyard millet was roasted in the oven at 110℃ for 10 minutes and used for proximate analysis and amino acid composition. Meanwhile, TPC and DPPH were performed using the ethanol extract of a roasted whole-grain barnyard millet sample. Results: This study found a significant (p<0.05) of 14.22% reduction in moisture content in roasted millet compared to non-roasted millet. The roasted millet sample showed a higher fat content (p<0.05) compared to the non-roasted millet sample, with values of 5.08±0.24% and 4.38±0.24%, respectively. The total amino acid content of the non-roasted sample was 116.76±11.31ng, while the roasted sample had a value of 123.51±0.23.22ng. In addition, the TPC and antioxidant activity were found significantly higher (p<0.05) in the roasted sample than in the non-roasted sample of whole grain barnyard millet. Conclusion: The roasting method should be considered in processing of the whole grain barnyard millet to enhance the nutrient composition and boost its functionality.

Ragi Traditional But Nutritional Especially in the Era of COVID-19

Finger millet is the name commonly used to denote the crop Eleusine coracana. It is known as Ragi in many parts of India, which is an important member of the family of cereals. In fact, it is superior to many cereals like wheat and rice in terms of its micronutrient content and bioavailability. Several indigenous processing techniques may be applied to finger millets allowing it to be processed into various value-added products, which may be better in appearance, taste, flavor and acceptability. Development of value-added products that contain Ragi as one of their major components can be beneficial for food and nutrition security of Indians. Ragi may contribute to solving the issue of micronutrient deficiency and nutrition security as it is an important source of micronutrients and can be easily incorporated in various recipes and value-added products. It can therefore be a part of various nutritional programs to enhance the nutritional density of foods.

The responsive characteristics of phytochrome genes to photoperiod, abiotic stresses and identification of their key natural variation sites in foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.) / 生物工程学报

The responsive patterns of phytochrome gene family members to photoperiod and abiotic stresses were comparatively analyzed and the favorable natural variation sites of these genes were identified. This would help understand the mechanism of phytochrome gene family in photoperiod-regulated growth and development and abiotic stress response. In addition, it may facilitate the molecular marker assisted selection of key traits in foxtail millet. In this study, we used RT-PCR to clone three phytochrome genes SiPHYA, SiPHYB and SiPHYC from ultra-late maturity millet landrace variety 'Maosu'. After primary bioinformatics analysis, we studied the photoperiod control mode and the characteristics of these genes in responding to five abiotic stresses including polyethylene glycol (PEG)-simulated drought, natural drought, abscisic acid (ABA), high temperature and NaCl by fluorescence quantitative PCR. Finally, we detected the mutation sites of the three genes among 160 foxtail millet materials and performed haplotype analysis to determine the genes' functional effect. We found that the cloned cDNA sequences of gene SiPHYA, SiPHYB and SiPHYC were 3 981, 3 953 and 3 764 bp respectively, which contained complete coding regions. Gene SiPHYB and SiPHYC showed closer evolutionary relationship. Photoperiod regulated all of the three genes, but showed more profound effects on diurnal expression pattern of SiPHYB, SiPHYC than that of SiPHYA. Under short-day, when near heading, the expression levels of SiPHYA and SiPHYB were significantly lower than that under long-day, indicating their roles in suppressing heading of foxtail millet under long-day. SiPHYB and SiPHYC were responsive to PEG-simulated drought, natural drought, ABA and high temperature stresses together. SiPHYA and SiPHYB responded differently to salt stress, whereas SiPHYC did not respond to salt stress. Re-sequencing of 160 foxtail millet materials revealed that SiPHYB was highly conservative. Two missense mutations of SiPHYA, such as single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) 7 034 522C→T and SNP7 036 657G→C, led to delaying heading and increasing plant height. One missense mutation of SiPHYC, such as SNP5 414 823G→T, led to shortening heading under short-day and delaying heading under long-day, as well as increasing plant height and panicle length regardless of photo-thermal conditions. Photoperiod showed different regulatory effects on SiPHYA, SiPHYB and SiPHYC. SiPHYB and SiPHYC jointly responded to various abiotic stresses except for the salt stress. Compared with the reference genotype, mutation genotypes of SiPHYA and SiPHYC delayed heading and increased plant height and panicle length.

Organoleptic Properties of Ready to Reconstitute Little Millet Smoothie with Fruit Juices

Millets being climate resilient crops with high nutritional value are far better than staple grains like wheat and rice. Being adaptable to wide range of agro ecological conditions, the nutricereals little millet can grow on low fertility dry lands meeting demands of exploding population and providing solution to agrarian and nutritional challenges the world is dealing with. Further, value addition could be a strategic intervention in popularization of underutilized small millets and transform the billions of people from nutrient insufficiency to nutrient adequacy. The present fast-paced era with increased nuclear families and changing eating habits due to rapid urbanisation and globalisation demands for development of ready to consume nutrient dense food. In addition, growing awareness regarding health benefits of millets demands for millet-based designer foods to meet diversified needs of consumers. In view of these aspects, a ready to reconstitute (RTR) little millet smoothie mix was developed and tested for its suitability to blend with fruit juices through sensory profiling. The nourishing little millet and fruit-based smoothies would be a healthy inclusion in one’s daily diet with a great market potential.

Prospects and Constraints of Transplanted Maize, Wheat, Sorghum and Pearl Millet: A Review

Cereal crops such as maize, wheat, sorghum and pearl millet are important for human consumption due to their nutritional benefits. These cereals play pivotal roles to meet world’s food demand. However, maintenance of food security particularly in the circumstance of changing climate, constantly urges for modification of agro-techniques and one such modification is the incorporation of transplanting technique in these cereals as an alternative under a non-practicable situation of direct sowing. Transplanting is a method of transferring seedlings grown in nursery or others to the field. It has been already found to shorten the crop duration and improve germination, plant stand, seed and seedling quality parameters, growth, yield and economic profitability of these cereals. Besides, research findings are also available stating that transplanting helps these cereals to cope up with vagaries of weather and to exhibit greater radiation and water use efficiencies and suppression of weeds. Outcomes of transplanting are however dependent on various factors like methods of nursery raising, the variety used, mode of planting, age of seedlings etc. In spite of these prospects, transplanting technique is not so popular in these cereals due to poor dissemination, discouraging research findings, pest and disease problems, lack of suitable package of practices etc. Therefore, focuses are to be given in conducting more and more research trials to confirm its location and situation wise efficacy and also in developing and disseminating a suitable package of practices of transplanting accordingly.

Quality Characteristics of Chicken Meat Cutlets Incorporated with Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana) Flour

In view of continuously growing demand of snacks foods worldwide due to rapid changing lifestyle, industrialization and urbanization, the present study was conducted to standardize the incorporation level of finger millet flour for preparation of chicken meat cutlets. Chicken meat cutlets were prepared with different levels of finger millet flour viz. 5, 10, and 15%, and different levels by replacing the lean meat in chicken cutlets formulation. The optimum (mention) level of finger millet was standardized as 5% for incorporation in chicken meat cutlets. Crude fiber and calcium content of chicken cutlets prepared with finger millet flour was significantly higher as compared to control thereby depicting marked improvement in the desirable food trait with health benefits. The product yield of chicken meat cutlets with optimized level of finger millet flour was significantly higher as compared to control. It did not show significant effect on any of the sensory parameters. Storage stability of aerobically packaged chicken meat cutlets with optimum level (mention level) of finger millet flour along with control was further evaluated during refrigerated storage (4±1oC) at regular intervals of 0, 3, 6 and 9 days with respect to physico-chemical, microbiological and sensory characteristics. Chicken meat cutlets could be stored safely in aerobic packaging for 6 days at refrigeration condition (4±1oC).

Soil biomass and microbial activity in soybean crop area under different cover crops and different soil correction systems / Biomassa e atividade microbiana do solo em área de cultivo de soja sob diferentes plantas de cobertura e diferentes sistemas de correção de solo

This study aimed to evaluate soil biomass and microbial activity and soybean yield under different limestone and gypsum doses and different cover crops. The experiment was carried out in the experimental area of the Fundação de Apoio a Pesquisa Agropecuária de Chapadão, on a Dystrophic Red Latosol, using cultivar Desafio. The experiment consisted of a randomized blocks design, in a split-plot factorial scheme (3x4x3), with three replications. Plots consisted of three gypsum doses: control (without gypsum), recommended dose (2.3 Mg ha-1), and double dose (4.6 Mg ha-1). Subplots consisted of four limestone doses (2, 4, and 6 Mg ha-1) and the control (without limestone). Each block had three different cover crops: Brachiaria, Millet, and allow. The values obtained with the test revealed that brachiaria had better basal respiration in the absence of gypsum. Conversely, millet had better basal respiration in with the gypsum dose. Basal respiration, using brachiaria as cover crop, was higher at the dose of 2700 kg ha-1 of limestone. However, for the fallow and the millet, basal respiration was higher when using the highest limestone dose of 6000 kg ha-1. The variable microbial biomass showed differences between cover crops only in the absence of gypsum. Brachiaria and fallow presented the highest mean for microbial biomass. The use of millet as a cover crop together with gypsum doses increased the microbial biomass. The variables mass of 100 grains and grain yield had higher mean at the limestone dose of 6000 kg ha-1 .

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a biomassa e atividade microbiana do solo, e produtividade da soja sob efeito das diferentes doses de calcário e gesso e diferentes coberturas de solo. O experimento foi conduzido na área experimental da Fundação de Apoio a Pesquisa Agropecuária de Chapadão, sob Latossolo Vermelho Distrófico, com a cultivar Desafio. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial (3x4x3) de parcelas subdividas, com 3 repetições. As parcelas foram constituídas por 3 quantidades de gesso agrícola, sendo: controle (sem gesso), recomendado (2,3 Mg ha-1) e o dobro (4,6 Mg ha-1), as subparcelas por 4 doses de calcário (2, 4 e 6 Mg ha-1), além do controle (sem calcário), onde cada bloco apresentou 3 coberturas diferentes: Braquiaria, Milheto e Pousio. Os resultados foram submetidos ao teste de Tukey 5%. Com os valores obtidos pudemos observar que a respiração basal foi melhor para braquiária na ausência de gesso, e na presença o milheto se saiu melhor. A respiração basal, utilizando a braquiária como cobertura, foi maior na dose de 2700 kg ha-1 de calcário. Já utilizando o pousio e o milheto foi na maior dose 6000 kg ha-1. A variável biomassa microbiana apresentou diferença entre as coberturas apenas na ausência de gesso, onde a braquiária e o pousio apresentaram as maiores médias para esta variável. A utilização do milheto como cobertura em conjunto com as doses de gesso acarretou aumento da biomassa microbiana. A massa de 100 grãos e a produtividade de grãos apresentaram maior média na dose de 6000 kg ha-1 de calcário.

Total Protein, Bilirubin and AST Levels in Rat Models Treated with Ethanolic Extract of Eleusine coracana during Arsenic Trioxide Induced Hepatotoxicity

Eleusine coracana is considered one of the most nutritious cereals. It has different names in local languages. It is known as Ragi in Telugu and Kannada/aariyam in Tamil, and Madua in Hindi and in Nigeria, it is known as Okababa in Yoruba, Dawa in Hausa, etc. This study sought to investigate the protective ability of ethanolic extracts of Eleusine coracana in Arsenic trioxide induced hepatotoxicity using rat models. Animals were grouped into four (4). Group A received only distilled water, in group B,C and D hepatotoxicity was induced using 5 mg/dl Arsenic Trioxide solution for 14 days, followed by treatment in group C and D daily with 200 mg and 500 mg per kg body weight respectively for 14 days, and changes in body weight and Liver Function parameters were determined. Eleusine coracana contains Tannins, phlobatannins,Falavonoids and Terpenoids but not Steriods and Saponins, Eleusine treated groups had a significant decrease in the organ-body weight index. The mean weight and Total Protein was significantly reduced in the intoxicated-untreated group (group B). The AST, direct and total Bilirubin level was significantly higher in group B compared to control and other treated groups. Eleusine cocarna as a plant and source of food contains certain phytochemicals which are capable of managing hepatic cell injury, this serve as a point for pharmacological intervention.

Transcriptome analysis of finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.) reveals unique drought responsive genes

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.), an important C4 species is known for its stress hardiness and nutritional significance. To identify novel drought responsive mechanisms, we generated transcriptome data from leaf tissue of finger millet, variety GPU-28, exposed to gravimetrically imposed drought stress so as to simulate field stress conditions. De novo assembly basedapproach yielded 80,777 and 90,830 transcripts from well-irrigated (control) and drought-stressed samples, respectively. A total of 1790 transcripts were differentially expressed between the control and drought-stress treatments. Functional annotation and pathway analysis indicated activation of diverse drought-stress signalling cascade genes such as serine threonine protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), calcineurin B-like interacting protein kinase31 (CIPK31), farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (FPS), signal recognition particle receptor α (SRPR α) etc. The basal regulatory genes such as TATA-binding protein (TBP)-associated factors (TAFs) werefound to be drought responsive, indicating that genes associated with housekeeping or basal regulatory processes are activated underdrought in finger millet. A significant portion of the expressed genes was uncharacterized, belonging to the category of proteins of unknown functions (PUFs). Among the differentially expressed PUFs, we attempted to assign putative function for a few, using anovel annotation tool, Proteins of Unknown Function Annotation Server. Analysis of PUFs led to the discovery of novel drought responsive genes such as pentatricopeptide repeat proteins and tetratricopeptide repeat proteins that serve as interaction modules in multiprotein interactions. The transcriptome data generated can be utilized for comparative analysis, and functional validation of the genes identified would be useful to understand the drought adaptive mechanisms operating under field conditions in finger millet, as has been already attempted for a few candidates such as CIPK31 and TAF6. Such an attempt is needed to enhance the productivity of finger millet under water-limited conditions, and/or to adopt the implicated mechanisms in other related crops.

Analysis of genomic DNA methylation level in foxtail millet by Methylation Sensitive Amplified Polymorphism / 生物工程学报

DNA methylation is an important type of epigenetic modification in eukaryotes. In order to research genome-wide methylation levels and patterns in foxtail millet (Setaria italica), the Methylation Sensitive Amplified Polymorphism (MSAP) analysis (employing double digestion with EcoR I and Hpa II/Msp I) was established and applied in two foxtail millet cultivars (Chaogu 58 and Yugu 1). The results showed that 32 pairs of MSAP primers were selected from 100 MSAP primers, and 1 615 and 1 482 clearly distinguishable and reproducible bands were amplified from Chaogu 58 and Yugu 1 respectively, including 3 types of methylation patterns. Cytosine methylation levels of CCGG context in Chaogu 58 and Yugu 1 were characterized as 6.93% and 8.77% respectively. Such different genomic DNA methylation levels between two foxtail millet varieties may provide a preliminary reference for the cultivation of this crop from a novel epigenetic viewpoint.

Efficacy of native bio-agents against sclerotium rolfsii sacc. causingfoot rot of finger millet

Finger millet is one of the important millet crops widely cultivated across India. Although, it is known to be one of the hardiest crops, is affected by many diseases, of which foot rot caused by Sclerotiumrolfsiihas been on the rise especially under irrigated and high rainfall situations.Nine Trichoderma spp. and 10 Pseudomonas spp. isolated from cultivated soils of Mandya, Karnataka, india were screened in in-vitro against S.rolfsii. Among the bio-agents Chandagaluisolate (CT) of Trichoderma and Kannahatty isolate (KP) of Pseudomonas were found to be very effective in suppressing the foot rot of finger millet in susceptible variety Indaf-5. These two potential bio-agents when tested in different delivery methods under greenhouse conditions, seedling root dip followed by soil application of Trichoderma (CT) and Pseudomonas (KP) were significantly superior over other methods in reducing foot rot incidence, besides enhancing seedling growth parameters and grain yield.

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) and white rice diets elicit similar glycaemic response in Asian Indians: Evidence from a randomised clinical trial using continuous glucose monitoring

@#Introduction: Finger millet (FM) or Eleusine coracana L. is considered as a healthier cereal option, especially based on its higher dietary fibre, phytochemical and mineral contents. FM is also recommended for individuals with diabetes, as it is believed to elicit a lower glycaemic response. Methods: The glycaemic response of FM diet was evaluated and compared with white rice (WR) diets using a continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS™) iPro 2™ among 14 healthy male and female volunteers aged 25-45 years with normal Body Mass Index (≥22.9kg/m2) in a crossover trial. They were recruited from Madras Diabetes Research Foundation volunteers registry. The participants consumed randomised iso-caloric FM or WR based diets for five consecutive days and 24 h interstitial glucose concentrations were recorded. Results: The FM diet had significantly higher dietary fibre than WR (29.9 g vs 15.8 g/1000 kcal, p<0.01) but the other macronutrients were similar. The 5-day average incremental area under the curve (IAUC) of FM diet [Mean (95% CI) = 73.6 (62.1-85.1) mg*min/dl] was not significantly different from that for WR diet [Mean (95% CI) = 78.3(67.9-88.7) mg*min/dl]. Conclusion: Both finger millet and white rice diets showed similar 24 h glycaemic responses, despite the former having higher amounts of dietary fibre. The result suggests that use of FM flour-based food preparations and decorticated FM grains to replace WR in the Indian diets offer no significant benefit with regards to 24 h glycaemic response. Studies of longer duration with larger sample size are needed to verify our findings.

Yield, Quality and Nutrient Uptake as Influenced by Organic Manures and Inorganic Fertilizers in Finger Millet.

A field experiment was conducted to study the influence of organic manures and chemical fertilizers on yield, nutrient uptake by finger millet and soil fertility status at harvest during kharif 2013 at Agricultural Research Station, Perumallapalle, ANGRAU. The results revealed that significantly highest grain yield (37.21 q ha-1), protein content (8.82%), N uptake (84.80 kg ha-1), P uptake (12.04 kg ha-1), No. of tillers/plant (2.5), No. of fingers/ear head (13) were recorded in inorganic treated plot when compared with organic treated plot (35.08 q ha-1 of grain yield, 8.61% of protein content,75.29 kg ha-1 of N uptake, 11.58 kg ha-1 of P uptake, 2.2 tillers/plant, 11 fingers/earhead). Organic carbon content in soil was increased in organic plot (0.02% only) when compared with intial value. In both the treatments available N was reduced and available K was increased when compared with initial available N and K.

Purification and Characterization of Endoglucanase from Sorghum (S. bi-color) and Millet (Pennisetum typhoides and Digitaria exilis) Malts.

Endoglucanase (EC3.2.1.4) from sorghum (S. bi-color) and millet (Pennisetum typhoides & Digitaria exilis) malts were purified to homogeneity through the methods of ammonium sulphate precipitation and gel filtration. Molecular mass of 35 KDa and 41 KDa were determined by SDS-PAGE. The purified enzymes catalyzed the hydrolysis of carboxy-methylcellulose with optimum activity at pH of 4.8, 5.0, 6.0, and temperature of 60ºC, 60ºC and 70ºC for Digitaria exilis, S. bi-color and Pennisetum typhoides respectively. More than 90% activity was retained in S. bi-color and Pennisetum typhoides and 73% activity in Digitaria exilis after 1.0 hour pre-incubation at 60ºC. Km values of 0.11, 0.09, 0.20 mM and Vmax 17.53, 15.0 and 11.10 U/mg/min were obtained for S. bi-color, Pennisetum typhoides and Digitaria exilis respectively. Co2+ inhibited endoglucanase activity whereas Ca2+, Ba2+, and Zn2+ enhanced enzyme activity. The enzyme was inactivated by glucose, a major end product of cellulose hydrolysis. Results indicate that endoglucanase of S. bi-color and Pennisetum typhoides are more suitable for malting and a blend of the two will produce high quality malt.

Resposta do milho cultivado em sistema de plantio direto à aplicação de doses de nitrogênio e cultivo de plantas de cobertura em pré-safra / Response of corn grown in tillage system for the application of nitrogen doses in a sequence of plant cover

O uso de plantas de cobertura é capaz de produzir grandes quantidades de fitomassa, melhorando a ciclagem de nutrientes, em especial o nitrogênio, promovendo ganho de produtividade e economia de N-fertilizante. Diante disto, o objetivo foi avaliar o efeito do uso de doses de N-mineral associada às plantas de coberturas cultivadas na pré-safra no estado nutricional, acúmulo de nitrogênio e na produção de grãos da cultura do milho, em dois anos agrícolas. O experimento foi desenvolvido em um Latossolo Vermelho distrófico, com a cultura do milho em sistema de plantio direto. O delineamento experimental adotado foi em blocos ao acaso, em parcelas subdivididas, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos principais foram: seis sistemas de semeadura (crotalária, feijão-de-porco, lablabe, milheto, mucuna-preta e pousio); nos tratamentos secundários: quatro doses de nitrogênio (0, 60, 120 e 180 kg ha-1 de N). A produção de grãos de milho não foi afetada pelo tipo de cobertura em pré-safra, independente da dose de nitrogênio aplicada no solo. Ainda, o uso de adubação nitrogenada no solo promove ganhos de produtividade de grãos de milhos, no primeiro ano de cultivo, independente do tipo de cobertura em pré-safra. No primeiro ano (2006/2007) as espécies de cobertura que produziram mais fitomassa foram mucuna-preta, feijão-de-porco, crotalárea-júncea e lablabe, enquanto que no segundo ano (2007/08) foram a crotalárea-júncea, milheto, lablabe, feijão-de-porco e mucuna-preta, respectivamente.

The use of cover crops can produce large amounts of biomass, improving the cycling of nutrients, particularly nitrogen, promoting productivity gains and cost savings. Given this, the objective was to evaluate the use of Nrates associated to cover crops grown in pre-harvest nutritional status, nitrogen accumulation and corn yield in both years. The experiment was conducted in an Oxisol with maize, no-tillage system. The experimental design was a randomized block, split plot with four replications. The main treatments were: six cropping systems (sun hemp, jack bean, lablab, millet, and velvet bean fallow) in secondary treatments: four doses of nitrogen (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg ha-1 N). Corn yield was not affected by the type of coverage for pre-season, regardless of the nitrogen applied in the soil. Still, the use of nitrogen fertilizer in the soil promotes gains in grain yield in the first year of cultivation, regardless of the type of coverage in pre-season. In the first year (2006/2007) the species of coverage produced more biomass were velvet bean, jack bean, sun hemp and lablab, while in the second year (2007/08) were the sun hemp, millet, lablab, jack bean and velvet bean, respectively.

Foxtail Millet Responses to Bulk and Nano Zinc Oxcide Particles in Water Stress Conditions.

Aims: This study was done to investigate the effects of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles application on foxtail millet in water stress conditions. Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Center of Islamic Azad University, Birjand branch, Iran in 2011. Methodology: Experimental design was split plot based on randomized complete blocks with three replications. Two irrigation treatments (control and water stress) and seven ZnO fertilizer (control without ZnO, three levels of bulk ZnO (3000, 6000 and 12000 ppm) and three levels of ZnO nanoparticles (250, 500 and 1000 ppm) were as main plots and sub plots, respectively. Result: The results showed that water stress declined peduncle length, stomatal conductivity, germination percentage and grain yield. Seed protein content increased under water stress but ZnO fertilizer treatments had not any significant effect on the mentioned traits. Effect of ZnO application on Relative Water Content (RWC) at the pre-anthesis stage was significant. The highest RWC before flowering were recorded in the ZnO nanoparticles treatment (250 ppm). Conclusion: The insignificant effect of bulk and ZnO nanoparticles treatments can be attributed to a low level of requirement of this element in millet. Probably, nutrient imbalance in the soil may also have contributed to the prevention of any positive effects of zinc consumption on plant growth parameters.

Genetic Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance in Pearl Millet (Penisetum glaucum [L.] R. Br.) Genotypes.

Fifteen genotypes of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L. R. Br.) were evaluated at Sudan University of Science and Technology, The Demonstration Farm, College of Agricultural Studies, Shambat, during the summer season 2009 and 2010. The present study was conducted to assess the magnitude of genetic variability, heritability in broad sense and genetic advance among fifteen pearl millet genotypes for some growth and grain yield characters. A randomized complete block design with three replications was used at each season. Highly significant differences (P≤ 0.01) were observed for days to 50% flowering and days to maturity in the both seasons, for plant height, leaf area, number of grains /plant, 1000 grain weight and grain yield (t/ha) in the summer season of 2009, for panicle length in the summer season of 2010. Also highly significant differences were observed for genotypes and genotypes × seasons interaction for days to 50% flowering and days to maturity. In general phenotypic coefficients of variation (PCV) estimates were higher than genotypic coefficients of variation (GCV) estimates for all the studied characters in all genotypes displaying the influence of environment effect on the studied characters. The combined results for heritability showed that the high estimates of heritability and genetic advance were scored for days to 50% flowering and days to maturity indicating that these characters were under the control of additive genetic effects. The genotypes ICMV155 and SADC (long) scored the most minimum days to maturity (68) days whereas, the genotypes ICMW221 and Ugandi scored the highest yield values of 2.20 and 2.05(t/ha), respectively. Such genotypes can be manipulated for further improvement in millet breeding programs at the Sudan.

Efficacy of Millets in the Development of Low Glycemic Index Sweets for Diabetics

Introduction: Three types of burfi (a sweet confection), namely, foxtail millet burfi (FMb), barnyard millet burfi (BMb) and control Bengal gram flour burfi (CBGFb) were developed for the consumption of diabetics. Methods: The flour blends for FMb and BMb contained 43% of foxtail millet and barnyard millet flour, respectively and 57% of bengal gram flour. The CBGFb was prepared by using 100% Bengal gram flour and served as control. The burfis were analysed for sensory quality, acceptability, storage stability, nutritional quality, glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL). Results: All the three burfis were acceptable to diabetic as well as non-diabetic subjects and could be stored easily for 15 days under ambient conditions. The millet burfis possessed fibre and starch contents which contributed to a low GI value of 37.5 for FMb compared to the control. The GL values were 14.7, 17 and 17.9 for FMb, BMb and CBGFb, respectively. Conclusion: The millet, especially foxtail millet which had a low GI value has the potential of being served to diabetics in the form of sweets.

Produção de forragem de gramíneas anuais semeadas no verão / Forage yield of annual grasses seeded on the summer

No Rio Grande do Sul, a base forrageira para bovinos de corte e de leite é constituída, basicamente, por pastagens de gramíneas perenes de verão, com bom valor nutritivo (VN) durante a primavera e parte do verão, quando manejadas adequadamente. Entretanto, a forragem no outono e inverno tem baixa concentração de nutrientes, o que ainda é agravado pelas geadas. Um experimento com dois anos de avaliação com parcelas divididas no delineamento em blocos casualizados, com três repetições, comparou rendimento, distribuição de forragem e valor nutritivo em três épocas de semeadura (janeiro, fevereiro e março), alocadas nas parcelas principais, e cinco genótipos (milheto comum, capim-sudão ou aveia de verão, teosinto e os híbridos de sorgo BRS 800 e AG 2501C) nas subparcelas. As duas primeiras épocas de semeadura resultaram em maior rendimento de forragem (mais de 6,0Mg ha-1 de MS) que a semeadura de março, com elevado valor nutritivo (>15% PB). Os sorgos forrageiros foram mais produtivos que capim-sudão e teosinto. Milheto, capim-sudão e teosinto têm maior afilhamento que os sorgos forrageiros híbridos. Milheto tem maior teor de PB (20%) e menor de FDA (35%) nas lâminas foliares quando comparado aos sorgos e teosinto. É possível minimizar a crise forrageira conhecida como vazio forrageiro outonal com a semeadura em múltiplas datas de forrageiras anuais de verão, até o final de fevereiro na região do Planalto Médio do RS e estender o período de pastejo em até 60 dias, em período em que as pastagens perenes de verão têm baixa oferta de forragem ou baixo valor nutritivo e as forrageiras anuais de inverno não estão estabelecidas.

In the Rio Grande do Sul (RS) state, southern Brazil, the forage foundation of beef and dairy cattle operations is pasture of warm-season grasses, with high nutritive value (NV) during spring and part of summer seasons, if managed frequently. However, during cool-season, forage NV is very low and worsen by frosts. A 2-yr split-plot experiment on randomized complete block design with three replications compared yield, yield distribution, and nutritive value in three seeding dates (January, February, and March) allocated on main plots, and five forage grasses cultivars (common pearl millet, teosinte, sudangrass, and BRS 800 and AG 2501C sorghum hybrids) on subplots. The two first seeding dates had the highest forage yield, about 6.0Mg ha-1 of DM than March seeding date of high nutritive value forage (>150g kg-1 MS). Sorghum-hybrids genotypes yield more than teosinte and sudangrass. Pearl millet, sudangrass and teosinte had more tillering. Pearl millet had high CP (200g kg-1 DM), and lower FDA (350g kg-1 DM) concentrations on leaf blades compared to sorghums and teosinte. It is possible minimize fall forage shortage seeding annual forage grasses until end of February in the Planalto region of RS state, and extend the productive period, an additional 30 to 60-d, during a time of year when warm-season perennial grasses have low forage allowance or low nutritive value, and annual winter forages are not established.

Development of transgenic finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.) resistant to leaf blast disease.

Finger millet plants conferring resistance to leaf blast disease have been developed by inserting a rice chitinase (chi11) gene through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Plasmid pHyg-Chi.11 harbouring the rice chitinase gene under the control of maize ubiquitin promoter was introduced into finger millet using Agrobacterium strain LBA4404 (pSB1). Transformed plants were selected and regenerated on hygromycin-supplemented medium. Transient expression of transgene was confirmed by GUS histochemical staining. The incorporation of rice chitinase gene in R0 and R1 progenies was confirmed by PCR and Southern blot analyses. Expression of chitinase gene in finger millet was confirmed by Western blot analysis with a barley chitinase antibody. A leaf blast assay was also performed by challenging the transgenic plants with spores of Pyricularia grisea. The frequency of transient expression was 16.3% to 19.3%. Stable frequency was 3.5% to 3.9%. Southern blot analysis confirmed the integration of 3.1 kb chitinase gene. Western blot analysis detected the presence of 35 kDa chitinase enzyme. Chitinase activity ranged from 19.4 to 24.8. In segregation analysis, the transgenic R1 lines produced three resistant and one sensitive for hygromycin, confirming the normal Mendelian pattern of transgene segregation. Transgenic plants showed high level of resistance to leaf blast disease compared to control plants. This is the first study reporting the introduction of rice chitinase gene into finger millet for leaf blast resistance.