Sorghum could be a potential substitute to maize in Mediterranean buffaloes feed in order to improve sustainability of buffalo-based agriculture, due to its reduced water and nitrogen requirements compared with maize, which is currently fed primarily. The aim of this study is to obtain information on rumen degradability of fibre fraction of maize and sorghum silages and to investigate the relationship between degradability and rumen microbial populations. As such four cannulated buffalo milking cows were fed ad libitum two different iso-energetic and iso-proteic diets based on maize silage (MS) and sorghum silage (SS). Based on plate counts, values of cellulolytic bacteria showed to be higher within the rumen of SS fed buffaloes compared to MS fed buffaloes (4.4 × 109 vs 1.9 × 109 cfu/ml, P <0.05), on the contrary, those of xylanolytic bacteria (3.2 × 109 vs 1.3 × 109 cfu/ml, P < 0.01) were higher in MS possibly due to the different fibre degradability. Real-time PCR of total bacteria, Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus albus, and Ruminococcus flavefaciens revealed no statistical difference in their 16S rDNA concentrations between diets. MS and SS were subsequently utilized for a degradability experiment. For this trial three cannulated Mediterranean dry buffalo cows were used (body weight 580 ± 8.5 kg). The MS was found to have an effective degradability of acid detergent fibre, hemicelluloses, and cellulose which were always lower than SS. Maize neutral detergent fibre degradability and slowly degradable fraction were significantly (P < 0.01) higher, on the contrary the immediately degradable fraction was found to be significantly (P < 0.001) lower compared with sorghum. The better sorghum relative feed value (P < 0.001) was related to the major content of fibre fraction compared to maize. As recommended by the IPCC Guidelines (in IPCC 2006), Tier 2 was chosen to estimate the enteric CH4 emission factor. The estimate of methane production is significantly lower in animals eating sorghum rather than maize (63.48 and 103.00 kg CH4/head/year respectively, P < 0.001). In conclusion, as no difference was observed in animal weight gain and milk yield, rumen microbiota or degradability, it could be possible to substitute MS with SS in buffalo diet.

The possibility of sweet sorghum cultivation with different inter-row distances (20, 50, 75 cm) was verified in small scale plots with 3 cultivars (Bovital, Goliath, Sucrosorgho). The maize cv. Atletico (rows 75 cm) was used as a control. The influence of row width and cultivar on fresh and dry biomass, methane and biogas production per area was statistically significant. The methane and biogas production was evaluated in laboratory, via fermentation in Oxi Top Control Merck bottles. Generally, sorghum was more productive than maize. The highest biogas production per hectare was found in case of 25 cm row spacing. Goliath was the most yielding cultivar (in all parameters). The experiment proved possibility to produce biomass from sorghum in narrow rows for biogas stations in the Czech Republic.

Andrew Kiri Amegovu,1 Sophie Ochola,1 Patrick Ogwok,2 Peter Yiga,2 Juliet Musalima,2 Mandha Juliana2 1Department of Food, Nutrition and Dietetics, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya; 2Department of Food Technology, Kyambogo University, Kampala, Uganda Abstract: More than half of the world's deaths in children below 5 years of age are caused by under nutrition. Early management of moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) is necessary to avoid deterioration to severe acute malnutrition. Corn soy blend plus (CSB+) mixed with vegetable oil and sugar is the traditional treatment for MAM but is too expensive for poor countries. The effectiveness of affordable and available local food materials are currently being studied as alternative food supplements to treat malnutrition. In this trial, the efficacy of sorghum peanut blend (SPB) mixed with ghee and honey for the treatment of MAM was compared to that of CSB+ among children 6–59 months old in Karamoja, Uganda. This was a single-blind randomized parallel trial in which two health centers were assigned on a 1:1 ratio to the two study groups. The participants (mothers and their moderately malnourished children) were recruited at the health centers and assigned to the groups depending on the health facility attended. Each child received a daily ration of either CSB+ or SPB for a maximum period of 3 months. Anthropometric measurements of the children were taken on a bi-weekly basis. The primary outcomes were the recovery rate and duration on the program before recovery. Of the recruited 440 participants, 392 completed the study and were included in the analysis (SPB group 194; CSB+ group 198). Analysis was by intention to treat. The recovery rates were not significantly different for the SPB group and the CSB+ group (82.3% and 76.8%, respectively; chi-square test P=0.093). Duration of recovery was significantly shorter for the SPB+ group, with a median of 43 days compared to 57 days for the SPB group (Kaplan–Meier survival test). The recovery rate and the duration of stay in the program were all within the acceptable Sphere Standards (≥75% and ≤90 days, respectively). SPB has the potential to treat MAM. Keywords: rehabilitation, Uganda, randomized trial, corn soy blend plus (CSB+), acute malnutrition

D Kumara Charyulu, M C S Bantilan, A Rajalaxmi, 'Development and Diffusion of Sorghum Improved Cultivars inIndia: Impact on Growth and Variability in Yield', pp.1-26, 2014 | Sorghum is the third cereal crop after rice and wheat in India, mostly grownunder marginal and stress-prone areas of Semi-Arid Tropics (SAT). NARS,ICRISAT and private seed companies are the major stakeholders working forsorghum crop improvement in the last five decades (1960-2012). Altogethermore than 256 improved cultivars have been notified and made available tofarmers during the same time. The current knowledge about spread and impactof sorghum improved crop varieties in the country is incomplete. The presentstudy made an attempt to address these issues with help of primary as well assecondary sources of information. The analysis has concluded that nearly 80per cent of total sorghum area is under improved cultivars which helped toincrease the country productivity levels by 85 per cent during 1960 and 2010.This aptly proves that role of sorghum improved cultivars in sustaining thehigher yields

The degermination of corn grains by dry milling generates 5% of a fibrous residue. After segregation and micronization, corn bran becomes a potential source of dietary fiber consumption. However, its effect on iron bioavailability has not been reported in the literature. The objective of the present study was to determine the nutritional composition of corn bran and its effects on iron bioavailability using the hemoglobin depletion-repletion method in rats. The animals were divided into two groups: cellulose (control) and corn bran (experimental). The bran had high content of total dietary fiber, especially the insoluble fraction, and low phytate content. Hemoglobin uptake did not differ between groups at the end of repletion period, and the iron relative bioavailability value of the corn bran diet was 104% in comparison to that of the control group. The product evaluated proved to be a potential source of dietary fiber and it showed no negative effects on iron bioavailability.

When it comes to recommending sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) cultivars, it is essential to carry out a genetic evaluation of the agronomic traits of promising genotypes from several common environments where the crop is cultivated. This study consisted of a genetic evaluation of 52 experimental grain sorghum hybrids and eight commercial cultivars. Hybrids were evaluated in 19 experiments representing the most varied cultivation conditions in Brazil. Traits of agronomic interest such as grain yield, flowering and plant height were analysed. Genotypic evaluation was performed following the REML/BLUP (Restricted Maximum Likelihood/Best Linear Unbiased Predictor) procedure; the MHPRVG (Harmonic Mean of Relative Performance of Genotypic Values) method was also employed to study stability and adaptability. Hybrids which stood out in terms of highest grain yield based on genotypic values, stability and adaptability were 0306037, 1G150, DKB 599, 0306039, 1G282 and 0307671. Of these, only 1G282 showed restrictions as to plant height. For flowering, experimental hybrids showed shorter cycles than commercial cultivars, confirming the efficiency of genetic improvement for this trait. With the analysis of grain yield considering days to flowering and plant height as covariates, it was observed that most of the hybrids of greater performance, showed grain yield to be positively influenced by plant height and days to flowering.

Sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS; EC 2.4.1.14), sucrose synthase (SuSy; EC 2.4.1.13) and soluble acid invertase (SAI; EC 3.2.1.26) are key enzymes that regulate sucrose fluxes in sink tissues for sucrose accumulation in sugarcane and sorghum. In this study, the expression profiling of sucrose-related genes, i.e. SPS, SuSy and SAI in two sets of hybrids viz., one from a Sorghum × Saccharum cross and the other from a Saccharum × Sorghum cross, high- and low-sucrose varieties, sweet and grain sorghum lines was carried out using semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) at monthly intervals. The results indicated differential expression of the three genes in high- and low-sucrose forms. Expression of SPS and SuSy genes was high in high-sucrose varieties, Saccharum × Sorghum hybrids and sweet sorghum and lower in low-sucrose varieties, Sorghum × Saccharum hybrids and grain sorghum. SAI showed a lower expression in high-sucrose varieties, Saccharum × Sorghum hybrids and sweet sorghum and higher expression in low-sucrose varieties, Sorghum × Saccharum hybrids and the grain sorghum. This study describes the positive association of SPS and SuSy and negative association of SAI on sucrose accumulation. This is the first report of differential expression profiling of SPS, SuSy and SAI in intergeneric hybrids involving sugarcane and sorghum, which opens the possibility for production of novel hybrids with improved sucrose content and with early maturity.

A field experiment was conducted for three years during winter season (rabi) and summer season of 1995-96 to 1997-98 at Rahuri to study the productivity and profitability of rabi sorghum-summer vegetab les cropping sequences under irrigated conditions, The pooled results revealed that the sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]-okra [Hibiscus esculentus (L.) Moench] sequence gave the significantly highest sorghum grain equivalent yield (26.09 tonnes/ha) and net monetary returns (Rs 11 0678/ha) followed by sorghum-brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) (20.45 tonnes/ha and Rs 82045/ha). Next in order was sorghum-chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) and lowest in sorghum-cluserbean (Cymopsis tetragonoloba L.). The highest consumptive-use was recorded in sorghum-okra (125 cm) but maximum water-use efficiency of 174 kg/ha-cm was recorded in sorghum-brinjal. The per day productivity (Rs 440/day/ha) and returns per unit of water used (Rs 1 094/ha-cm) and benefit: cost ratio (5,17) was maximum in sorghum-okra sequence. Optimum level of irrigation (at 80 mm and 60 mm cumulative pan evaporation to sorghum and vegetables respectively) recorded higher sorghum grain equivalent yield  and net returns than suboptimum (at 125 mm and 90 mm cumulative pan evaporation to sorghum and vegetables respectively). The per day productivity was 32% higher in optimum irrigation than suboptimum irrigation(Rs 262/day/ha).

In drought-prone environments, sweet sorghum and sorghum-sudangrass hybrids are considered worthy alternatives to maize for biogas production. The biomass productivity of the three crops was compared by growing them side-by-side in a rain-out shelter under different levels of plant available soil water (PASW) during the growing periods of 2008 to 2010 at Braunschweig, Germany. All crops were established under high levels of soil water. Thereafter, the crops either remained at the wet level (60–80 % PASW) or were subjected to moderate (40–50 % PASW) and severe drought stress (15–25 % PASW). While the above-ground dry weight (ADW) of sweet sorghum and maize was insignificantly different under well-watered conditions, sweet sorghum under severe drought stress produced 27 % more ADW than maize. The ADW of sorghum-sudangrass hybrids significantly lagged behind sweet sorghum at all levels of water supply. The three crops differed markedly in their susceptibility to water shortage. Severe drought stress reduced the ADW of maize by 51 %, but only by 37 % for sweet sorghum and 35 % for sorghum-sudangrass hybrids. The post-harvest root dry weight (RDW) in the 0–100 cm soil layer for maize, sweet sorghum and sorghum-sudangrass hybrids averaged 4.4, 6.1 and 2.9 t ha−1 under wet and 1.9, 5.7 and 2.4 t ha−1 under severe drought stress. Under these most dry conditions, the sorghum crops had relatively higher RDW and root length density (RLD) in the deeper soil layers than maize. The subsoil RDW proportion (20–100 vs. 0–20 cm) for maize, sweet sorghum and sorghum-sudangrass hybrids amounted to 6 %, 10 % and 20 %. The higher ADM of sweet sorghum compared with maize under dry conditions is most likely attributable to the deep root penetration and high proportion of roots in the subsoil, which confers the sorghum crop a high water uptake capacity.

A field experiment to study the forage yield and quality of newly evolved Chinese sweet sorghum grown alone and in association with cowpea was conducted during the summer, 2013 at Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture Faisalabad. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Major crop Chinese sweet sorghum was grown alone and in alliance with cowpea in 30 cm apart rows as intercrop, mixed cropping, 2:1 lines of Chinese sweet sorghum and cowpea, 50:50 seed ratio and 75:25 seed ratio of Chinese sweet sorghum and cowpea respectively and by broadcast method, net plot size was 2.7 mx8.0 m. Maximum plant height of sorghum (201.13 cm) and cowpea (224.23 cm) was recorded in plots Chinese sweet sorghum + cowpea were planted in 2:1 row ratio. Maximum total leaf area (9648.8 cm2) was obtained where blended seeds of Chinese sweet sorghum and cowpeas were sown by broadcast method. Stem diameter of both crops was non-significant under different combinations and seed ratios. Maximum fresh weight (268.57 g per plant) of sorghum was obtained in Chinese sweet sorghum + cowpea planting in 50:50 seed ratio and maximum (144.47 g) fresh weight per plant of cowpea was obtained where blended seeds of Chinese sweet sorghum + cowpea were sown by broadcast method. Maximum total dry matter (27.28 %) was attained where Chinese sweet sorghum was sown in 30 cm apart rows and intercropped with cowpea. Highest total green forage yield (47.23 t per ha) was obtained where blended seeds of Chinese sweet sorghum + cowpea were sown in 30 cm apart rows, Maximum total dry matter production (6.40 t per ha) was also obtained for this treatment as against the minimum (4.24 t per ha) attained where blended seeds of Chinese sweet sorghum + cowpea were sown by broadcast method. Maximum total crude protein contents (27.08%) was recorded where sorghum and cowpea was sown in 2:1 row ratio as against the minimum (9.49%) total CP recorded where Chinese sweet sorghum was sown alone in 30 cm apart rows. Highest total fiber (57.65%) for mixture of both fodder was attained where Chinese sweet sorghum was planted in 30 cm apart rows and cowpeas was sown across the rows. Maximum total ash (28.003%) was recorded with sowing of Chinese sweet sorghum in 30cm apart rows and intercropped with cowpea was performed. Maximum net income Rs. 90715 per ha was achieved where blended seeds of' sorghum and cowpea were sown in 30 cm apart rows. Maximum benefit cost ratio (2.05) was observed where blended seeds of sorghum and cowpea were sown in 30cm apart rows.