Efficacy of herbicide seed treatments for controlling Striga infestation of Sorghum

Witchweed (Striga spp.) infestations are the greatest obstacle to sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] grain production in many areas in Africa. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of herbicide seed treatments for controlling Striga infestation of sorghum. Seeds of an acetolactate synthase (ALS) herbicide–tolerant sorghum hybrid were treated with two ALS-inhibiting herbicides. Treatments included three rates of imazapyr (IMI), three rates of metsulfuron-methyl (MET), and an untreated control group. In greenhouse trials, observations at 32, 46, and 60 d after planting showed that seeds treated with the highest herbicide rates had the fewest Striga attachments and the greatest delay in attachment. All plants in the untreated group died at or before sorghum flowering; however, herbicide seed treatments, particularly metsulfuron, reduced Striga emergence and significantly increased sorghum grain yield and dry matter production. Field studies comparing seed treatments produced similar results with delayed Striga emergence and fewer emerged Striga plants in herbicide-treated plots. These studies indicate that herbicide seed treatments may provide a highly effective tool for managing Striga in sorghu

Mineral contents in grains of seven food-grade sorghum hybrids grown in a Mediterranean environment

Mineral nutrients play a fundamental role in the biochemical and physiological functions of biological systems. Cereals may especially be an important source of essential minerals in view of their large daily intake both for human health and nutrition. Sorghum, among the cereals, is a major crop being used for food, feed and industrial purposes worldwide. The objective of this study was to determine the mineral contents in grains of seven white food-grade sorghum hybrids, bred and adapted for growth in the central USA and grown in a Mediterranean area of Southern Italy. The seven hybrids were analyzed for grain ash and for minerals contents. Nutritionally, essential macro-, micro- and trace elements content were investigated. The analysis of essential elements was performed by mass spectrometry using a mix solution of internal isotopes standard. The results demonstrated that food-grade sorghum was characterized by high Mg, Fe and Zn content, high K:Na ratio and low Ca:P ratio, compared to other crops, due to the fact that the grain mineral contents of crop species are influenced by the effects of genotypes and environments. Significant variations in the essential elements content were found among the hybrids which allowed us to divide them into three distinct groups on the basis of their mineral profile by cluster analysis. These results are discussed with reference to the importance of minerals in human nutrition and suggest that, like wheat, it is possible to plan research programs for the improvement and selection of sorghum hybrids with high micronutrients content

Mineral contents in grains of seven food-grade sorghum hybrids grown in a Mediterranean environment

Mineral nutrients play a fundamental role in the biochemical and physiological functions of biological systems. Cereals may especially be an important source of essential minerals in view of their large daily intake both for human health and nutrition. Sorghum, among the cereals, is a major crop being used for food, feed and industrial purposes worldwide. The objective of this study was to determine the mineral contents in grains of seven white food-grade sorghum hybrids, bred and adapted for growth in the central USA and grown in a Mediterranean area of Southern Italy. The seven hybrids were analyzed for grain ash and for minerals contents. Nutritionally, essential macro-, micro- and trace elements content were investigated. The analysis of essential elements was performed by mass spectrometry using a mix solution of internal isotopes standard. The results demonstrated that food-grade sorghum was characterized by high Mg, Fe and Zn content, high K:Na ratio and low Ca:P ratio, compared to other crops, due to the fact that the grain mineral contents of crop species are influenced by the effects of genotypes and environments. Significant variations in the essential elements content were found among the hybrids which allowed us to divide them into three distinct groups on the basis of their mineral profile by cluster analysis. These results are discussed with reference to the importance of minerals in human nutrition and suggest that, like wheat, it is possible to plan research programs for the improvement and selection of sorghum hybrids with high micronutrients content

Genetic diversity assessment in sorghum accessions using qualitative morphological and amplified fragment length polymorphism markers

Qualitative morphological and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers were compared for assessment of genetic diversity. Nine qualitative morphological traits were recorded to compare genetic relationships among 17 sorghum accessions with information derived from six AFLP primer combinations analysis. The mean morphological genetic similarity was lower in comparison to similarity computed using AFLP markers. Genetic similarity measured by AFLP markers was similar within the Ethiopian and South African material, as well as between South African and Ethiopian material. Morphological similarity was much higher in the Ethiopian material than in the South African material, indicating that the genotypes were related. The two techniques described genetic variability in different ways. Dendrogram generated from the morphological data matrix separated accession 216737 as being genetically distinct from the rest of the accessions. Accessions M101 and 97MW6127 were the most dissimilar accessions based on AFLP data