Abstract. Sorghum is an important cereal crop and it is native in African tropical areas. It is a globally cultivated crop and the fifth most important cereal after maize, rice, wheat and barley. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of endosperm type, seed moisture content and threshing methods on percentage threshability and mechanical damage of sorghum seeds. Two varieties of sorghum (Kari-mtama 1 and Seredo) were grown in two diverse locations, Kiboko and Katumani. Variety Kari-mtama1 has hard (vitreous) endosperm while the other variety Seredo has soft (non-vitreous) endosperm. After harvesting, sorghum panicles were dried in the sun and oven. The panicles were threshed separately for each drying method at two moisture levels, namely 18-20% and 13-14%. The three threshing methods used included beating with wooden stick in tied sack, using wooden mortar and pestle as well as using threshing machine. The results showed that the vitreous endosperm variety had significantly high percentage threshability and significantly low mechanical damage than non-vitreous endosperm variety under both drying methods. There was a significant (p≤0.05) increase in threshability and decrease in mechanical damage when the seeds were threshed at 13-14% moisture content compared to 18-20%. For better seed quality, threshing machine is the best method to be used to avoid mechanical damage and seed quality deterioration. Drying methods used to dry seed panicles before threshing had no effects on threshability and mechanical damage. This implies that sorghum panicles can be dried either in the sun or oven without affecting threshability and mechanical damage at the two moisture levels and by using the three threshing methods.

Grain sorghum is a drought-resistant and heat-resistant crop with stable grain yields; its introduction allows expanding the range of functional raw materials for bakery products in the arid regions of the Russian Federation. To assess the suitability of grain sorghum for use in the food industry, to determine the quality of protein and starch, which can form associated complexes during processing, is important. The purpose of the research is to determine the falling number in sorghum varieties as a potential raw material for the grain industry and to estimate the significance of differences between the samples or groups of samples. The objects of research were 34 varieties of grain sorghum from the breeding nursery. During the research, it was found that the falling number of whole-ground sorghum grain varied widely. Statistical processing of the obtained data showed the significance of differences in the set of varieties of grain sorghum in terms of the falling number varying from 306.5 to 556.5, the variation coefficient was 13.6; F-criterion– 6.9; the least essential difference was 21.4. To exclude the influence of quantitative data on the biochemical composition, a correlation analysis of the falling number with the content of basic nutrients was performed. Calculations have shown that there is no significant correlation between the falling number and the content of sorghum protein and starch in the grain, as well as their total value. The reliability of differences between varieties of grain sorghum by the falling number makes it possible to select raw materials with the necessary properties during processing, as well as to conduct selection on this trait. | Зерновое сорго - засухоустойчивая и жаростойкая культура со стабильной урожайностью. Ее внедрение позволяет расширить ассортимент функционального сырья для получения хлебобулочных изделий в засушливых регионах РФ. Для оценки пригодности зернового сорго к использованию в пищевой промышленности, важно определить качество белка и крахмала, которые при переработке могут составлять ассоциированные комплексы. Цель исследований - определение числа падения у сортообразцов сорго зернового как потенциального сырья для хлебной промышленности и оценка значимости различий между образцами или группами образцов. Объектами исследований послужили 34 сортообразца зернового сорго из селекционного питомника. В ходе исследований установлено, что число падения цельносмолотого зерна сорго изменялось в широких пределах. Статистическая обработка полученных данных показала значимость различий в наборе сортообразцов сорго зернового по величине числа падения, которая варьировала от 306,5 до 556,5. коэффициент вариации составил 13,6; F-критерий – 60,9; наименьшая существенная разница – 21,4. Для исключения влияния количественных данных биохимического состава был проведен корреляционный анализ числа падения с содержанием основных питательных веществ. Расчеты показали отсутствие значимой сопряжённости между числом падения и содержанием в зерне сорго белка и крахмала, а также их суммарным значением. Достоверность различий между сортообразцами зернового сорго по числу падения оставляет возможность для отбора сырья с нужными свойствами при переработке, а также для ведения селекционного отбора по этому признаку.

Taking the importance of agricultural production sustainability with limited resources to use efficiency in an arid area, afield experiment was designed to investigate the effect of three, Acacia trees (Acacia nilotica, A. seyal, and A. tortilis) planting combination on soil fertility and Sorghum bicolor L. growth and physiological performance. The sorghum planted in 7 strips between 14 rows of Acacia trees planting combinations and one treeless strip as control. Acacia species plantations significantly increase soil fertility in terms of available nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and organic carbon (OC) contents as compared to control, highest level of N and P content (59.01 ± 1.45 and 58.77 ± 1.10 mg/kg) was reported in strip between rows of A. tortilis. Although the highest net photosynthesis rate (Pn) and stomatal conductance (gs) recorded in plants grown between rows of pure A. torilis, and rows of A. torilis-A. seyal, but different Acacia significantly enhanced sorghum growth and physiology with reference to net photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance and chlorophyll fluorescence (chlF). The results stated linear relation between soil nutrients (N, P, K), Pn, and chlF increasing soil fertility improve physiological performance of sorghum. In conclusion, the three Acacia improve soil fertility and sorghum growth. Generally, this plantation trial can be environment-friendly alternative agricultural practices in Saudi Arabia or any area with a similar ecological condition to amend the soil and improve crop performance.

Studied was the impact of the primary tillage methods of dark chestnut soil on the bulk density, water permeability, moisture meter layer and chickpea yield. Studies were carried out on dark chestnut soil in 2016–2019 (Saratov region). The soil density was determined according to GOST 12536-79, soil moisture – according to GOST 28268-89. The trial establishment and the mathematical processing of digital material were carried out in accordance with "Field Experience Methodology" (B. A. Dospekhov, 1985). Four-year observations of hydrophysical properties showed that before chickpea sowing, the maximum value of the arable layer density (0–0.3 m) was recorded in the variants with minimal tillage with a disc harrow (1.26 g per cm3). The lowest values of soil density were noted in variants with combined and moldboard tillage (1.09–1.10 g per cm3, which is 14–15% less than the minimum tillage). Water permeability of dark chestnut medium loamy soil increased from minimal tillage (71.1 mm per h) to subsurface (107.2 mm per h), combined (126.4 mm per h) and moldboard one (126.5 mm per h). Before chickpea sowing, the highest soil moisture in the meter-long layer was observed during non-mold and combined cultivations (17.5% of the mass of absolutely dry soil, which exceeded the control by 0.4% and the minimum by 1.0%). The least soil moisture was formed in the variant with disking (15.9%) with the onset of the phenological branching phase in chickpeas. The use of subsurface cultivation increased soil moisture by 0.9%. Combined tillage with a PBS-8M plow to a depth of 23–25 cm contributed to the formation of maximum chickpea yield in 4 years (1.04 t per ha, which is only 4% more than the control). Minimization of the primary tillage to 10–12 cm reduced yield by 18%, subsurface deep loosening (30–32 cm) by 9% compared with the moldboard cultivation to a depth of 23–25 cm./Изучали влияние способов основной обработки темно-каштановой почвы на плотность сложения, водопроницаемость, влажность метрового слоя и урожайность зерна нута. Исследования проводили на темно-каштановой почве в 2016–2019 гг. (Саратовская область). Плотность сложения почвы определялась по ГОСТ 12536-79, влажность почвы – по ГОСТ 28268-89. Закладку опытов и математическую обработку цифрового материала осуществляли в соответствии с "Методикой полевого опыта" (Б. А. Доспехов, 1985). Результаты: четырехлетние наблюдения за водно-физическими свойствами показали, что перед посевом нута максимальная величина плотности сложения пахотного слоя (0–0,3 м) фиксировалась в варианте с минимальной обработкой дискатором (1,26 г/см3). Наименьшие значения плотности почвы отмечались в вариантах с комбинированной и отвальной обработками (1,09–1,10 г/см3, что меньше минимальной обработки на 14–15%). Водопроницаемость темно-каштановой среднесуглинистой почвы возрастала от минимальной обработки (71,1 мм/ч) к безотвальной (107,2 мм/ч), комбинированной (126,4 мм/ч) и отвальной (126,5 мм/ч). Перед посевом нута наибольшая влажность почвы метрового слоя отмечалась при безотвальной и комбинированной обработках (17,5% от массы абсолютно сухой почвы, что превышало контроль на 0,4%, а минимальную на 1,0%). С наступлением фенологической фазы ветвления у нута наименьшая влажность почвы формировалась в варианте с дискованием (15,9%). Применение безотвальной обработки увеличивало влажность почвы на 0,9%. Выводы: комбинированная обработка плугом ПБС-8М на глубину 23–25 см способствовала формированию максимальной за 4 года урожайности нута (1,04 т/га, что больше контроля всего на 4%). Минимизация основной обработки почвы до 10–12 см уменьшала урожайность на 18%, безотвальное глубокое рыхление (30–32 см) на 9% по сравнению с отвальной обработкой на глубину 23–25 см.

The allelopathic activity of soil from rhizosphere zone of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) grown under cover of Sorghum bicolor L. Sorghum sudanense Piper Staf. and Sorghum vulgare var. technicum Korn. on the initial development of Lactuca sativa L. was assessed. The experiment was performed under laboratory conditions at the Institute of Forage Crops - Pleven, Bulgaria (2018-19). The highest inhibition effect showed the soil from the rhizosphere zone of Sorghum vulgare var. technicum (17.44) pure grown; alfalfa, grown under cover of Sorghum vulgare var. technicum (14.56) and alfalfa, grown under cover of Sorghum bicolor + Sorghum vulgare var. technicum (16.94). The lowest inhibition effect showed the soil from the alfalfa (6.32), Sorghum sudanense (7.62) both pure grown and alfalfa grown under cover of Sorghum bicolor (7.96). The results obtained indicate that depending on the allelopathic soil activity of Sorghum bicolor, Sorghum sudanense and Sorghum vulgare var. technicum, they can be used for the growing of alfalfa under the cover as a measure for weed control in the year of establishment of the crop and for the increasing the productivity also. The equivalence between the allelopathic soil activity in pure grown crops, assessed by the degree of inhibition in the germination and initial development of Lactuca sativa L. as well as their use as cover crops for alfalfa were found.

The allelopathic activity of soil from rhizosphere zone of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) grown under cover of Sorghum bicolor L. Sorghum sudanense Piper Staf. and Sorghum vulgare var. technicum Korn. on the initial development of Lactuca sativa L. was assessed. The experiment was performed under laboratory conditions at the Institute of Forage Crops - Pleven, Bulgaria (2018-19). The highest inhibition effect showed the soil from the rhizosphere zone of Sorghum vulgare var. technicum (17.44) pure grown; alfalfa, grown under cover of Sorghum vulgare var. technicum (14.56) and alfalfa, grown under cover of Sorghum bicolor + Sorghum vulgare var. technicum (16.94). The lowest inhibition effect showed the soil from the alfalfa (6.32), Sorghum sudanense (7.62) both pure grown and alfalfa grown under cover of Sorghum bicolor (7.96). The results obtained indicate that depending on the allelopathic soil activity of Sorghum bicolor, Sorghum sudanense and Sorghum vulgare var. technicum, they can be used for the growing of alfalfa under the cover as a measure for weed control in the year of establishment of the crop and for the increasing the productivity also. The equivalence between the allelopathic soil activity in pure grown crops, assessed by the degree of inhibition in the germination and initial development of Lactuca sativa L. as well as their use as cover crops for alfalfa were found.

Sorghum wax can be extracted from the surface of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) kernels. It is composed mostly of a mixture of unsaturated C₂₈ and C₃₀ alkanes, fatty acids, fatty alcohols, and fatty aldehydes. Like carnauba wax, sorghum wax is a hard wax with a high melting point and it has potential edible and industrial applications. The yield of sorghum wax from the surface of sorghum kernels is 0.2–0.5 g of wax per 100 g of kernels. Sorghum wax can also be recovered from the “distillers oil” which is obtained after fermentation of sorghum (milo) or sorghum/corn blends in dry grind fuel ethanol plants. This distillers sorghum wax can potentially be obtained in yields of up to 10% by chilling the distillers oil to precipitate the wax and then recovering it via centrifugation or filtration. Like sorghum kernel wax, distillers sorghum wax is mainly composed of C₂₈ and C₃₀ alkanes, alcohols, and aldehydes in the molecular weight (MW) range of 350–450. However, we found that 7–49% w/w of distillers sorghum wax is composed of larger wax components with MW of 799–912. Analysis via high‐resolution atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (APCI) and gas chromatography with electron ionization mass spectrometry (GC/MS‐EI) resulted in exact mass data and fragmentation patterns that suggested that these high MW compounds are monounsaturated fatty aldehyde dimers, likely formed by aldol condensation. Further confirmation supporting the GC/MS data for the aldol reaction was obtained by comparison with similar aldol products.

Weeds reduce the yield of maize (Zea mays L.) by utilizing the available resources such as water, nutrient and space. The phenomenon of allelopathy offers pragmatic option to suppress weeds in cereals including maize. This study was conducted to evaluate the weed suppression potential of sorghum in maize sown on beds or flat fields in post-sorghum and fallow plots. Sorghum-based weed management treatments included: i) control, ii) sorghum mulch (SM) at 8 t ha⁻¹, iii) sorghum water extract (SWE) at 18 L ha⁻¹, and iv) SM + SWE. The post-sorghum planted maize had significantly lower density (23.1%) and biomass (23.6%) of weeds than post-fallow planted maize. Weed density and dry biomass was 17.2% and 18.1% less in bed-sown maize than the flat-sown maize, respectively. Application of sorghum based treatments significantly reduced weed infestation in both maize cropping systems, however, combined application of SM and SWE in post sorghum bed-sown maize was the most effective treatment. Bed-sown maize planted in post-sorghum plots produced higher grain yield than post-fallow bed-sown maize or post-sorghum/post-fallow flat-sown maize. The treatment SM + SWE produced the taller plants and had more number of grains per cob, higher seed weight, grain and biological yields, and harvest index in post sorghum bed-sown wheat than other sorghum based treatments. In conclusion, the combined application of SM + SWE in bed-sown maize in post-sorghum fields provided fair control of weeds and increased maize grain yield.

Context Sorghum is an important feed grain for chicken-meat production in Australia. However, it is usually considered inferior to wheat – the foremost feed grain. Kafirin, the dominant protein fraction in sorghum, may be a major contributor to this inferiority due to its negative influence on starch digestion and energy utilisation. Aims The objective of this study was to determine kafirin concentrations in sorghum relative to crude protein and amino acid profiles of both kafirin and total sorghum protein. Methods Concentrations of amino acids and kafirin in 19 Premium Grains for Livestock Program sorghum varieties were quantified. These data were combined with that of up to 14 Poultry Research Foundation sorghum varieties to generate the most exhaustive documentation of its kind. The methodology developed to quantify kafirin concentrations in sorghum is thoroughly described. In addition, essential amino acid profiles in 25 grain sorghums from Australian surveys completed in 1998, 2009 and 2016 were compared statistically. Also, consideration was given to relevant near-infrared spectroscopy predicted data from 992 sorghum varieties from 2014 to 2019. Key results The average kafirin concentration of 48.2 g/kg represented 51.9% of the 92.9 g/kg crude protein (N × 5.81) content in 33 varieties grain sorghum. Kafirin holds a substantial 62.7% share of leucine as the concentration was 8.53 g/kg in kafirin as opposed 13.73 g/kg in total sorghum protein. The proposal was advanced that kafirin contents of local sorghum crops have increased during the past two decades from the 1998, 2009 and 2016 surveys of amino acid profiles in grain sorghum. Conclusions Kafirin concentrations in Australian sorghum crops may have increased over the past two decades, which may be having a negative impact on the performance of broiler chickens offered sorghum-based diets. Implications Breeding programs should be directed towards sorghums with lesser kafirin proportions of sorghum protein and/or modified kafirin protein bodies to enhance the nutritive value of sorghum as a feed grain for chicken-meat production.