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.

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.

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.

Genetic architecture of purple pigmentation and tagging of some loci to SSR markers in pearl millet, Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.

This report describes the construction of integrated genetic maps in pearl millet involving certain purple phenotype and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. These maps provide a direct means of implementing DNA marker-assisted selection and of facilitating "map-based cloning" for engineering novel traits. The purple pigmentation of leaf sheath, midrib and leaf margin was inherited together 'en bloc' under the control of a single dominant locus (the 'midrib complex') and was inseparably associated with the locus governing the purple coloration of the internode. The purple panicle was caused by a single dominant locus. Each of the three characters (purple lamina, purple stigma and purple seed) was governed by two complementary loci. One of the two loci governing purple seed was associated with the SSR locus Xpsmp2090 in linkage group 1, with a linkage value of 22 cM, while the other locus was associated with the SSR locus Xpsmp2270 in linkage group 6, with a linkage value of 23 cM. The locus for purple pigmentation of the midrib complex was either responsible for pigmentation of the panicle in a pleiotropic manner or was linked to it very closely and associated with the SSR locus Xpsmp2086 in linkage group 4, with a suggestive linkage value of 21 cM. A dominant allele at this locus seems to be a prerequisite for the development of purple pigmentation in the lamina, stigma and seed. These findings suggest that the locus for pigmentation of the midrib complex might regulate the basic steps in anthocyanin pigment development by acting as a structural gene while other loci regulate the formation of color in specific plant parts.

Potential Functional Implications of Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) in Health and Disease.

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), also known as Bajra, is one of the four most important cereals (rice, maize, sorghum and millets) grown in tropical semi-arid regions of the world primarily in Africa and Asia. Our aim is to review the potential health benefits of pearl millet. Desk reviews from Gujarat Agricultural Universities, libraries, PubMed and other web sources, key informant interviews of farmers (n=30), local leaders (sarpanch) (n=30) and women (n=960) from pearl millet belt of Banaskantha district of Gujarat. Pearl millet is rich in several nutrients as well as non-nutrients such as phenols. It has high energy, has less starch, high fiber (1.2g/100g, most of which is insoluble), 8-15 times greater α-amylase activity as compared to wheat, has low glycemic index (55) and is gluten free. The protein content ranges from 8 to 19% and it is low in lysine, tryptophan, threonine and the sulfur-containing amino acids. The energy of millet is greater than sorghum and nearly equal to that of brown rice because the lipid content is generally higher (3 to 6%). Pearl millet can be recommended in the treatment of celiac diseases, constipation and several non-communicable diseases. Nutritional studies on the population living in the pearl millet belts of the world and clinical trials on the impact of pearl millet in specific disease conditions are needed.

Biochemical Constituents in Malformed Tissues of Pearl Millet Cultivars Caused by Aggressive Pathotype of Sclerospora graminicola Causing Downy Mildew Disease.

Downy mildew (DM) of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] caused by Sclerospora graminicola is the most widespread and destructive disease. In DM affected plants disease symptoms appear suddenly with the emergence of green ear, which exhibits all possible degrees of proliferations and malformation of the panicle. The pathogen population at Jodhpur, India is more virulent among other prevalent pathotypes as highly resistant pearl millet lines turned susceptible at this location. Virulence of pathotype rapidly changes host physiology producing varied symptoms in leaves and ear heads. Biochemical components including carbohydrates, phenols, free proline, photosynthetic pigments and enzymes like polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POX), IAA oxidase (IAAO) and catalase were found considerably deranged in malformed tissues. Results indicated that in two highly susceptible cultivars (Nokha local and Eknath) high soluble sugars were recorded in DM necrotic/chlorotic leaves and malformed ear heads, whereas starch contents were reduced in infected ear heads. Total and O-dihydroxy phenols were higher in DM infected leaves as well as in the malformed ear heads. Free proline contents were increased manifold in DM infected leaves and in proliferated panicles. Total chlorophyll contents reduced drastically in DM infected leaves. In ear heads showing tufting and complete malformation, total chlorophyll and carotenoids were low when compared to healthy and diseased leaves. Activities of PPO, POX, IAAO and catalase were higher in DM affected leaves and suppressed and completely malformed ear heads in comparison to their healthy counterparts. The study suggests that accumulation of total phenols caused the hyperphenolicity in infected host tissues despite increased activities of POX, PPO, catalase and IAA oxidase.

Salt stress tolerance and stress proteins in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.).

Salt stress as a major adverse factor can lower leaf water potential, leading to reduced torgor and some other responses, and ultimately lower crop productivity in arid and semi arid zone. Plant responses to salt stress have much in common. Salt stress reduces the ability of plants to take up water and this quickly causes reductions in growth rate. The initial reduction in shoot growth is probably due to salt effects. If excessive amounts of salt enter into the plant, salt will eventually rise to toxic levels and reduce the photosynthetic leaf area of the plant that cannot sustain growth. In order to understand the processes that give rise to tolerance of salt and to identify the salt stress proteins in the salt stress effect of on plant growth was studied using different salt solutions like Copper sulphate, Cadmium chloride and zinc sulphate with different concentrations like 200μM, 150μM, 100μM.

Effect of Raw Cow Milk and Gliocladium virens in Pearl Millet against Downy Mildew Disease Caused by Sclerospora graminicola.

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] downy mildew (DM) is caused by the fungus Sclerospora graminicola (SACC.) SCHRŐT. is the most widespread and destructive disease of pearl millet affecting yield and quality in all the millet cultivating tracts of India. Since pearl millet is a crop of low economic value grown by resource-poor farmers, conventional technological interventions are not cost feasible. Integration of indigenous knowledge with biocontrol agents appeared as a logical strategy in the present case. Studies were, therefore, undertaken to manage DM in rainfed crop of pearl millet using raw cow milk together with Gliocladium virens. Seed and soil treatments resulted in the lowest disease incidence. Biochemical constituents (metabolites and oxidative enzymes) were analysed to determine possible mode of action of Raw Cow Milk (RCM) and Gliocladium virens. A considerable increase in sugars, phenols and ortho-dihydroxy phenols (OD) in healthy and DM infected leaves of treated pearl millet plants was recorded when compared to untreated controls. A marked increase in all the photosynthetic pigments in both healthy and diseased treated plants was observed. The induction of resistance was accompanied by increased activities of defense related enzymes. It is assumed that the combination of RCM and G. virens is capable of stimulating different systemic responses in host plant.

Characterization of interphase nuclei from triploid hybrids between Pennisetum purpureum Schumach and Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. / Caracterização de núcleos interfásicos de híbridos tríploides entre Pennisetum purpureum Schumach e Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.

This study evaluated the structure and the volume of interphase nuclei from root meristems of the genotypes of napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum), pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) and hybrids resultant of such breeding. In napier grass, nuclei were areticulate. Both pearl millet and the triploid hybrid had semi-reticulate nuclei; also, the hybrid presented a small proportion (6 percent) of areticulate nuclei. Pearl millet had the highest averages of nuclear dimensions, such as volume, diameter and radius, followed by the interspecific hybrid and napier grass. There was no intraspecific variation for the type of nuclear structure, which indicates this feature is important for cytotaxonomic studies involving the genus Pennisetum. Results demonstrated that chromatin organization in these nuclei was influenced by the number and size of chromosomes, affecting the nucleus volume in the analyzed taxa.

Avaliou-se, neste estudo, a estrutura e o volume de núcleos interfásicos de meristemas radiculares de genótipos do capim-elefante (Pennisetum purpureum), milheto (Pennisetum glaucum) e do híbrido resultante deste cruzamento. O capim-elefante apresentou núcleos do tipo arreticulado. Tanto no milheto como no híbrido triplóide os núcleos apresentaram-se semi-reticulados, sendo que, no híbrido, foi observada uma pequena proporção (6 por cento) de núcleos arreticulados. As maiores médias para as dimensões nucleares como volume nuclear, diâmetro e raio foram obtidas para o milheto, seguidas do híbrido interespecífico e capim-elefante. Não houve variação intraespecífica para tipo de estrutura nuclear indicando que essa característica tem relevância para estudos citotaxonômicos no gênero Pennisetum. Os resultados demonstraram que a organização da cromatina nesses núcleos foi influenciada pelo número e tamanho dos cromossomos e essa afetou o volume nuclear dos táxons analisados.

Cinética de fermentação ruminal de silagens de milheto / Ruminal fermentation kinetics of pearl millet silages

Avaliaram-se a degradabilidade da matéria seca e a cinética de fermentação ruminal das silagens de três genótipos de milheto (BRS-1501, NPM-1 e CMS-3), por meio da técnica in vitro semi-automática de produção de gases. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso em arranjo de parcelas subdivididas. Para a comparação dos genótipos, foi utilizado o teste SNK (P<0,05), e os parâmetros da cinética de fermentação foram ajustados ao modelo unicompartimental de France. A partir de 24 horas, a silagem do genótipo BRS-1501 foi a que apresentou maior produção acumulativa de gases. Os valores de degradabilidade da matéria seca apresentados às 96 horas de fermentação foram de 53,9 por cento para a silagem do BRS-1501, 51,7 por cento para a silagem do CMS-3 e 49,1 por cento para a silagem do NPM-1, sendo este o material com menor degradabilidade (P<0,05). Os potenciais máximos de produção de gases variaram de 145,18 para o genótipo CMS-3 a 155,02ml/g de MS para o BRS-1501. A silagem do genótipo BRS-1501 destacou-se entre as demais, em função do seu maior potencial de produção de gases e degradabilidades efetivas.

The dry matter digestibility and the fermentation kinetics of three pearl millet genotypes silages (BRS-1501, NPM-1, and CMS-3) were estimated by the semi-automated in vitro gas production technique, using a completely randomized blocks design in a split plot arrangement. The genotypes means were compared by SNK test (P<0.05) and fermentation kinetics parameters estimated by regression of gas production on time using the France model. The greater cumulative gas production from 24 hours on was obtained by BRS-1501 genotype silage. The dry matter degradability (DMD) values at 96 hours of incubation were 53.9 percent for BRS-1501, 51.7 percent for NPM-1, and 49.1 percent for CMS-3 silage. The lowest DMD (P<0.05) among the studied genotypes silages was observed for CMS-3 silage. The maximum potential of gas production ranged from 145.18ml/g of dry matter for CMS-3 genotype silage to 155.02ml/g of dry matter for BRS-1501 silage. The BRS-1501 genotype silage showed the highest potential of gas production and effective degradabilities.

Milheto-grão (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.) como substituto do milho em rações para poedeiras comerciais

The production performance and egg quality of laying hens receiving increasing levels of pearl millet grain in rations were studied. Two hundred 30-week-old LSL Lohmann white hens, allotted in a completely randomized design with five treatments, five replicates with 10 hens, were fed with 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of pearl millet grain in rations as corn substitute. The performance was evaluated by egg production, feed intake, feed conversion in terms of dozen eggs and egg mass, and egg quality measured as egg weight, shell, albumen and yolk porcentages. No differences among treatments were observed for all characteristics, but the yolk color index measured by the Roche fan indicated decreasing in yolk colour as the level of pearl millet increased. Pearl millet did not affect the production performance, and a synthetic or natural pigment should be included in rations.

Avaliaram-se o desempenho produtivo e a qualidade dos ovos de poedeiras comerciais alimentadas com milheto como substituto do milho em rações de postura. Duzentas poedeiras comerciais, da linhagem LSL Lohmann branca, com 30 semanas de idade, receberam rações com níveis crescentes de substituição da energia metabolizável fornecida pelo milho por milheto. As aves foram distribuídas em um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso com cinco tratamentos, cinco repetições e 10 aves por repetição. Foram avaliados a porcentagem de postura, o consumo de ração, a conversão alimentar em termos de dúzias e de massa de ovos, o peso médio de ovos, a porcentagem de casca e de gema, e a porcentagem de clara. Não se observou diferença estatística significativa em todas as características. O índice de coloração de gema, pelo leque colorimétrico Roche, apresentou pior coloração à medida que os níveis de milheto foram crescentes nas rações. Os resultados indicam que o milheto não afetou o desempenho produtivo das aves, devendo-se recomendar o seu uso com pigmentantes sintéticos ou naturais.