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Summary: Gryllus bimaculatus (field cricket) powder is a prospect in enriching gluten‐free food products' protein and mineral contents. However, the technological impacts of replacing common gluten‐free cereal flours with G. bimaculatus powder are still incipient. This study aimed to characterise nutritional composition, particle morphology, and particle size distribution of G. bimaculatus powder and the gluten‐free flours (maize, rice, finger millet and proso millet). Additionally, it investigated the effects of substituting these gluten‐free flours with 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% G. bimaculatus powder on proximate composition, hydration and colour properties. G. bimaculatus powder showed significantly (P ≤ 0.05) high protein (44.8 g/100 g) content and essential minerals such as zinc (208.5 mg/kg) and iron (132.2 mg/kg). Micrographs of G. bimaculatus powder revealed compact and heterogenous particles while the flours' particles varied in sizes, and the starch granules had different shapes, sizes and arrangements. Flour particles exhibited bi‐and trimodal size distributions ranging from 1.5 μm to 1100 μm with minor peaks preceding major peaks. Finger millet flour had a greater span of 4.12, while proso millet flour had a lower span of 1.97. Particle size correlated negatively with water absorption capacity (WAC) (r = −0.938) and oil absorption capacity (OAC) (r = −0.955), respectively. G. bimaculatus powder addition significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05) fat, protein and fibre contents, decreased (P ≤ 0.05) nitrogen‐free extracts, but had no effect on ash content. Hydration properties differed significantly (P ≤ 0.05) except for WAC in proso millet blends. Samples exhibited significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) WAC than OAC in exception of G. bimaculatus powder and showed no emulsifying activities. Addition of G. bimaculatus powder significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased colour differences, reduced redness (a*), yellowness (b*) and lightness. The use of G. bimaculatus powder demonstrates the potential to enhance the nutritional properties and modify the colour and hydration of gluten‐free flours in the development of novel gluten‐free foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The application of biochar amendments or organic manure substitutions can alleviate the harmful environmental effects of inorganic fertilizers on agroecosystems, whereas they can also affect soil microenvironments which have not been fully explored on the Loess Plateau. Methods: Our field experiments consisted of no fertilizer (N0), N application (150 kg N hm−2, N150), 30% organic manure replacing N fertilizer (NO30), no fertilizer plus 10 t hm−2 biochar (N0 + C), N application plus 10 t hm−2 biochar (N150 + C), and 30% organic manure replacing N fertilizer plus 10 t hm−2 biochar (NO30 + C). The nutrient levels, bacterial community structure, ecological network, assembly process of bulk soil and rhizosphere at jointing and flowering stages, and crop yield in broomcorn millet field were investigated. Results: Fertilizer regimes and biochar amendments increased the bulk soil and rhizosphere nutrient contents than no fertilizer and no biochar. NO30 significantly improved the rhizosphere observed OTUs at jointing and flowering stages. Biochar amendments increased the observed OTUs of bulk soil and rhizosphere than no biochar. N150 and NO30 had a lower network complexity than N0 treatment, whereas N150 + C had the most complex network. Biochar amendments had more deterministic process than fertilization regimes. Meanwhile NH4+-N content was the major factor shaping the bacterial diversity, structure, and assembly process. NO30 + C has the highest yield of broomcorn millet. Conclusions: Compared with fertilizer regimes, biochar amendment had higher nutrient contents and observed OTUs of bulk soil and rhizosphere, and it also had a more substantial influence on the bacterial community structure and network stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyzed the biochemical compounds by GCMS and did bioassay of leaf extracts of five tree species viz., Aegle marmellos (L.) Correa, Annona squamosa L., Mangifera indica L., Morinda tinctoria Roxb and Moringa oleifera Lam. on germination and associated characteristics of kodomillet (Paspalum scrobiculatum L) and prosomillet (Panicum miliaceum L.). Response Index was used for comparison, and by GCMS, the compounds found in the leaves were determined and studied their effects on germination and seedling growth. The 5 % Moringa oleifera leaf extract, followed by extracts from A. squamosa and Mangifera indica, improved millets' seed germination. Perhaps because the extracts contained the dominant compounds 2- Piperidinone and 2-Pyrrolidinone. Tree leaf extracts from the above-donor species had a synergistic effects in prosomillet, stimulating germination by 14-18 %, than kodomillet. However, Morinda tinctoria and Aegle marmellos leaf extracts inhibited the germination of both millets than control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The simulated digestion and fermentation characteristics in vitro of exopolysaccharide (EPS) of Levilactobacillus brevis M‐10 were studied to evaluate its postbiotic properties. The simulated digestion results showed that EPS could not be degraded in saliva but could be very slightly degraded in gastric juice and could be degraded in intestinal juice. The results of simulated fermentation demonstrated that EPS could lower the intestine pH and be utilized by gut microbes to produce short‐chain fatty acids such as propionic acid and butyric acid. Meanwhile, EPS significantly raised the diversity of human gut microbiota, and the relative abundances of Phascolarctobacterium were significantly increased, whereas Fusobacterium and Morganella significantly decreased. In conclusion, EPS from L. brevis M‐10 was a good postbiotic as inulin. This was the first report about EPS as the postbiotic of L. brevis M‐10 screened from broomcorn millet sour porridge in northwestern Shanxi Province, China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploring crop yield stability and the relationship between the water–fertilizer effect and annual precipitation type in a broomcorn millet–potato–spring corn rotation system under long-term fertilization on chestnut cinnamon soil in loess tableland can provide a scientific basis for rational fertilization in the northwest Shanxi region in years with different precipitation. This study was based on a 33-year long-term fertilizer experiment, using four fertilizer treatments: no fertilizer as control (CT), single fertilizer nitrogen (N), single organic fertilizer (M), and nitrogen fertilizer with organic fertilizer (NM). The results showed that broomcorn millet and maize had the highest yield in wet years, while potatoes had the highest yield in normal years and the yield under NM treatment was the highest. The sustainable yield index (SYI) values for potato and maize were higher than the SYI for the broomcorn millet during years with different precipitation and the SYI for the NM treatment was the highest. The water use efficiency of NM treatment was the highest. The yield of broomcorn millet and maize was affected by nitrogen fertilizer, organic fertilizer, and precipitation during the growth period, while the potato yield was mainly affected by nitrogen fertilizer and organic fertilizer. Therefore, the rotation of potato–maize and the rational allocation of organic and inorganic fertilizer (NM) is the best planting system in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the aerial parts of Salvia carranzae Zamudio and Bedolla, three new icetexane-type diterpenoids were isolated. Their structures were established through spectroscopic methods and named the following: salvicarranzanolide (1), 19-deoxo-salvicarranzanolide (2) and 19-deoxo-20-deoxy-salvicarranzanolide (3). In addition, the known icetexane-type diterpenoids, 6,7,11,14-tetrahydro-7-oxo-icetexone (4), iso-icetexone (5), 19-deoxo-iso-icetexone (6), icetexone (7), 19-deoxo-icetexone (8) and 7α-acetoxy-6,7-dihydroicetexone (9), were also isolated, along with the abietanes sessein (10) and ferruginol (11). α-Tocopherol was also identified. Compounds 5, 6 and 8 were tested for their antiproliferative activity using the sulforhodamine B assay on six cancer and one normal human cell lines. Diterpenoids 5 and 6 showed noteworthy antiproliferative activity, exhibiting an IC50 (μM) = 0.43 ± 0.01 and 1.34 ± 0.04, respectively, for U251 (glioblastoma), an IC50 (μM) = 0.45 ± 0.01 and 1.29 ± 0.06 for K5621 (myelogenous leukemia), 0.84 ± 0.07 and 1.03 ± 0.10 for HCT-15 (colon cancer), and 0.73 ± 0.06 and 0.95 ± 0.09 for SKLU-1 (lung adenocarcinoma) cell lines. On the other hand, the phytotoxicity of compounds 5–7 and 9–10 was evaluated on seed germination and root growth in some weeds such as Medicago sativa, Panicum miliaceum, Amaranthus hypochondriacus and Trifolium pratense as models. While compounds 5 and 10 exhibited a moderate inhibitory effect on the root growth of A. hypochondriacus and T. pratense at 100 ppm, the diterpenoids 6, 7 and 9 were ineffective in all the plant models. Taxonomic positions based on the chemical profiles found are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parboiling of little millet (Panicum sumatrense) and proso millet (Panicum miliaceum) was carried out by soaking at different soaking temperatures (30°C, 40°C, 50°C, 60°C and 70°C) and durations of steaming (10min, 15 min, 20 min, 25 min and 30 min). The parboiled millet grains were shade dried and pearled in a laboratory scale pearler cum polisher. Parboiling of these millets was assessed for the cooking qualities, in terms of cooking time, water uptake, swelling index and elongation ratio. Parboiled little millet took 9min-14 min for cooking with water uptake ratio of 3.1- 4.7 and showed swelling index and elongation ratio ranging from 1.73-2.78 and 1.53-2.61, respectively. For proso millet cooking time and water uptake were recorded as 11 min -13 min and 2-4.2, with swelling index and elongation ratio of 0.7-1.72 and 1.42-4.26, respectively. Soaking at 50°C and 60°C and steaming for 25 min and 10 min, respectively, for little millet and proso millet yielded higher cooking qualities, viz., water uptake, swelling index and elongation ratio, and with less cooking time, which are considered as optimum conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Panicum miliaceum involved in the repair of femur bone fracture in rats. Materials and Methods: In this study, 40 Wistar rats in five groups were studied as healthy, rats with lesion induced by surgery in femur (FX), FX rats treated with P. miliaceum extract (FX +100 and 200 P. miliaceum) and FX rats treated with Osteocare syrup (FX + OC). After 40 days, the serum levels of blood calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) along with activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) enzymes, and nitric oxide (NO) level were measured. The serum level of cytokines (IL-6, C-reactive protein [CRP], IL-10, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α]) was also measured by ELISA. The expression of OPG, RANK, RANKL, and BMP-2 genes and proteins were evaluated by real-time PCR and Western blotting techniques, respectively. Results: The results showed that P. miliaceum was able to decrease the activity of ALP enzyme in addition to increasing serum Ca and P levels and GPx, SOD, and CAT activity. P. miliaceum reduces serum IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α, and NO levels. Also, the extract of this plant could increase the expression of OPG/RANK/BMP-2 pathway genes and proteins. Conclusion: P. miliaceum can be used as a prodrug in traditional medicine to repair bone fractures and osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the crop management practices of millet agriculture is pivotal for comprehending the development of Chinese civilization. Recent studies have indicated that organic manuring plays a crucial role in ensuring sustainable millet cultivation on the Loess Plateau. However, uncertainties still exist regarding how manuring practices impact the δ15N values of C4 millets compared to C3 cereals. Furthermore, inadequate information on crop δ15N at archaeological sites has led to controversial interpretations of animal and human diets. In this study, we present new findings from an experimental archaeological research conducted in actual loess farmland in China to explore the potential range of variability in grain δ15N values of millets. Our results demonstrate that animal manure significantly increases Setaria and Panicum grain δ15N values, ranging from 2.7 to 9.3‰. Considering trophic enrichment effects on nitrogen isotopes, humans consuming manured millets may yield values ranging from 5.7 to 12.3‰, suggesting alternative explanations for high δ15N values other than animal protein consumption. Opposite to the general hypothesis, the grain δ15N values are systematically lower than those of leaves. The difference between the values of Setaria and Panicum and the process of manure influencing the grain δ15N values are also discussed. Our study provides novel insights into the nitrogen stable isotopic indicator of millet manuring and will serve to set reconstructions of past manuring and diet practices in northern China on a firmer foundation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Dzungar Basin of northern Xinjiang has previously been considered a marginal environment with little evidence for the development of prehistoric agriculture. Recent archaeobotanical studies have indicated the region as being a route for the transmission of domesticated plants, technologies and ideas between East and West Eurasia during prehistory, as early as 5000 BP. These interactions are still poorly understood and most evidence for early plant food production and consumption in the region comes from limited mortuary contexts. In this study we present plant macrofossil analysis from the settlement site of Luanzagangzi on the southern side of the Dzungar Basin. From ca. 3130 BP an agricultural package of east and west Asian cereals and chaff is present, comprising wheat, barley, foxtail millet, broomcorn millet, and significantly a single grain of japonica type rice. AMS dating indicates this is the oldest directly dated rice in Xinjiang and the broader region, ranging 3069–2881 cal. BP. Cereal morphometrics and material culture from the site further indicate a connection with the Gansu region to the east. The spread of agriculture into the site environment may be linked to the onset of wetter conditions relating to strengthened westerly systems across arid Central Asia in the Late-Holocene. A declining abundance of West Asian cultivars over the period of the site's occupation possibly reflect a shift away from intensive agriculture to low-level management of millets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) was considered a self-pollinated annual crop that belongs to the family Poaceae. It was well adapted to many soil and climatic conditions. The productivity was low due to the use of poor quality seed, little or no use of fertilizers, traditional methods of cultivation, delay in nursery sowing and late transplanting. The Integrated Nutrient Supply System (INSS) approach involves the combined use of chemical fertilizers, organic manures and micronutrient fertilizers, which ensures higher crop productions and also helps to restore and sustain soil fertility. Therefore, the study was focused to manage the timely transplanting together with the suitable nutrient combination. Methods: A field experiment was conducted to study the "Effect of seedlings age and different nutrient combinations on growth and yield of Proso Millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) in lateritic soils of Western Ghats" during Kharif, 2016. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with four main plots and five subplot treatments. The main plot treatments composed of four ages of seedlings viz. 20, 30, 40 and 50 days and five subplot treatments of nutrient combinations viz., 100% RDF, 75% RDF + 25% N through FYM, 50% RDF + 50% N through FYM, 25% RDF + 75% N through FYM and 100% N through FYM. Thus, there were twenty treatment combinations, replicated thrice. Result: Results revealed that the proso millet crop transplanted with 30 days old seedlings recorded significantly higher grain yield and straw yield over all other treatments. In nutrient combinations treatments, 100% RDF through chemical fertilizer recorded significantly higher mean plant height hill-1, number of functional leaves hill-1, number of functional tillers hill-1 and plant dry matter accumulation hill-1 than the other treatments and also produced significantly highest yields and yield attributing characters compared to the rest of the nutrient combinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil salinization affects the sustainable development of agriculture and causes ecological imbalance. Cultivation of salt-tolerant plants is an important step to maximize economic benefits and optimize soil improvement. In order to provide identification index for breeding for new varieties of salt-tolerant broomcorn millet, and provide materials for the cultivation of broomcorn varieties in aline-alkali soil, in this study, five bred varieties of broomcorn millet were used as the test material, based on different concentrations of neutral salt mixture(NaCl and Na2SO4), using the dish germination method, eight agronomic traits including bud fresh weight(SFW), bud length(BL), germination index(GI), germination potential(GP), root fresh weight(RFW), germination rate(GR), root length(RL), and activity index(VI) were used to evaluate the salt tolerance of the materials. By analyzing the difference in germination potential and germination rate of the 5 broomcorn millet varieties under different salt concentrations, the results showed that 160 mmol/L was the optimal concentration for salt treatment. At this concentration, the variation of the eight indexes of the five materials was abundant, and the coefficient of variation was 168.41%, 48.12%, 23.13%, 15.11%, 32.94%, 18.90%, 64.37%, and 123.53%, respectively. Correlation analysis, principal component analysis, and comprehensive evaluation of D value of the eight indexes found that 5 indexes including SFW, BL, GI, GP, and RFW could be taken as the reference indexes of salt tolerance evaluation. The salt tolerance of the five materials from strong to weak was: Jinshu 7, Longshu 19, Ningmi 13, Qishu 1, and Longshu 9. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to better manage broomcorn millet resources, distinguish their identities and trace their sources, it is necessary to create an efficient and feasible germplasm resource identification system. In this study, 77 broomcorn millet resources in Shanxi Province were used as the materials. PCR and capillary electrophoresis were carried out on 77 broomcorn millet resources with FAM(blue) fluorescent group labeling at the upstream 5' end synthesized by Shanghai Sangon Biological Co., Ltd. It was found that only five marker combinations(RYW3, RYW6, RYW20, RYW37, and RYW40) could distinguish all materials. Among them, the combination of RYW6+RYW37 could distinguish 60 materials, the combination of RYW6+ RYW20+RYW37 could distinguish 69 materials, the combination of RYW6+RYW20+RYW37+RYW40 could distinguish 73 materials, and the combination of RYW3+RYW6+RYW20+RYW37+RYW40 could distinguish all 77 materials. A total of 79 alleles were detected in 77 materials at 8 loci, with an average of 9.875 detected at each locus. The effective allele variation (Ne) detected was 2.675 9, Shannon diversity index(I) was 0.991 6, Nei's gene diversity index(Nei) was 0.426 0, and polymorphism information content(PIC) was 0.553 3. On this basis, the ID analysis 4.0 online barcode generator was used to generate a scannable barcode DNA molecular identity cards. Using two-dimensional code online technology, the basic information of the materials was transformed into scannable two-dimensional code DNA molecular identity cards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The flowering stage is a critical period for water sensitivity and quality formation of broomcorn millets. However, the effects and mechanisms of drought stress on the quality formation of broomcorn millets are not clear. We used the drought-resistant variety Hequ red millet (H) and the drought-sensitive variety Yanshu No. 10 (Y) were used as materials for drought stress treatment during the flowering stage, metabolomics and physiological methods were used to study the differences in protein, starch, amino acids, medium and medium-long chain fatty acids, and their response characteristics to drought in broomcorn millet. The results showed that different genotypes of broomcorn millets exhibited different response mechanisms in the face of drought stress. In Hequ red millet, drought stress significantly increased the contents of amylopectin (2.57%), pyridoxine (31.89%), and anthocyanin, and significantly decreased the contents of water-soluble protein (5.82%), glutelin (10.07%), thiamine (14.95%) and nicotinamide (23.01%). In Yanshu No. 10, drought significantly decreased amylose by 6.05%, and significantly increased riboflavin and nicotinamide contents by 21.11% and 32.59%. Correlation analysis showed that total starch and amylose were highly significantly positively correlated with methyl palmitate; negatively correlated with amylopectin, vitamins, proteins, free amino acids, and medium-long chain fatty acids; and amylopectin was significantly positively correlated with water-soluble protein, riboflavin, and pyridoxine. Water-soluble protein and glutelin were significantly positively correlated with most free amino acids, medium-long chain fatty acids, and nicotinamide. Thiamine showed significant positive correlation with nicotinamide and significant negative correlation with pyridoxine. Riboflavin was significantly positively correlated with nicotinamide, pyridoxine, and water-soluble protein, and pyridoxine was significantly positively correlated with water-soluble protein. Hequ red millet transforms into amylopectin by consuming water-soluble protein and glutelin, and improves drought resistance by accumulating pyridoxine, and changes its physicochemical properties by decreasing the content of amylose and protein and elevating the content of amylopectin. Yanshu No. 10 resisted drought by catabolizing lipids to produce fatty acids and by consuming amylose for conversion into other metabolites. The present study helps to understand the response of the nutritional quality of millets to drought stress at the flowering stage and provides a theoretical basis for the selection and breeding of superior varieties of millets and drought resistance research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen has a critical influence on the yield and quality of proso millet. However, the exact impact of nitrogen on the cooking quality of proso millet is not clear. In this study, the cooking quality and starch properties of two proso millet varieties (waxy‐Shaanxi millet [wSM] variety and non‐waxy‐Shaanxi millet [nSM] variety) were compared and analyzed under nitrogen fertilizer treatment (N150, 150 kg/hm2) and a control group without nitrogen application (N0, 0 kg/hm2). Compared with the N0 group, the N150 treatment significantly increased protein content, amylose levels, and total yield. Employing rapid visco analyser and differential scanning calorimetry analyses, we observed that under the N150 treatment, the peak viscosity and breakdown viscosity of proso millet powder were diminished, while the setback viscosity and enthalpy values (ΔH) increased. In addition, nitrogen treatment increased the solids content in the obtained rice soup and significantly hardened the texture of the rice. At the same time, we noticed that the absorption capacity of starch in water and oil was enhanced. These results showed that nitrogen fertilizer had significant effects on the cooking quality and starch properties of proso millet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) is a highly adaptive, short-duration crop that is grown in Korea for food, feed, and fodder. ‘Yeonheechal’ is a variety of proso millet that was developed in 2013. This variety is a cross between Hwanggeumgijang (K263691) and IT297382. In terms of its phenotype, ‘Yeonheechal’ is erect and possesses drooping panicles. Regarding its growth-related outcomes, ‘Yeonheechal’ was found to have a growth period of 90 days. The culm and panicle lengths of this variety were 144 and 33.6 cm, respectively. These structures were both shorter than those of ‘Leebaekchal.’ Additionally, the weight of 1,000 seeds was 5.3 and 4.5 g in te rms of husked and dehusked grains, respectively. The husked and dehusked grains were white and yellow, respectively, consisting of a characteristically glutinous endosperm. The yield potential of ‘Yeonheechal’ was approximately 2.67-ton ha-1 in the regional yield trials conducted from 2017 to 2019. The hardness of this variety’s grain was 1,749 gf, making it softer than that of ‘Leebaekchal’ (i.e., 2,158 gf) (Registration number: 9104). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colchicine is a substance used to induce mutations in order to regulate important agronomic traits. The genotypes Pavlodarskoe 4, Quartet, and PI 289324, originating from Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation, and Hungary, respectively, were used as materials. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different colchicine concentrations (0.0, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, and 0.1%) and treatment times (6, 12, and 24 h) on the agronomic traits of proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) and to assess the genetic diversity of the M2 generation using inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. The experiment was conducted in 2021 for the M1 generation and in 2022 for the M2 generation, from May to September. The percentage of field germination decreased with increasing colchicine concentrations and exposure durations. The mean field germination percentages were 48.57% in Pavlodarskoe 4, 43.28% in Quartet, and 53.14% in PI 289324 under colchicine treatment. Chlorophyll-defective M1-M2 plants were obtained using various colchicine concentrations and exposure periods. The highest number of mutational modifications was attained with the 0.08–0.1% concentrations of colchicine. Based on the research results, a total of 248 plants with chlorophyll-defective mutations were selected from 2214 plants. The growing seasons of M1 and M2 plants were shortened by higher colchicine concentrations (0.08–0.1%) combined with soaking times of 12 and 24 h. Thus, the longest growing season (84 days) was observed with a 6 h treatment time for PI 289324, while the shortest (78 days) was recorded for 12 and 24 h treatments. The possibility of obtaining morphological mutations using colchicine has been confirmed. The ISSR primers amplified a total of 1333 fragments; 1281 bands were found to be polymorphic, and 52 bands were monomorphic. The percentage of polymorphism varied from 80 to 100%, with an average of 96.11%. Most of the different allelic bands were detected when applying the 0.08% colchicine concentration. These positive variations are a great opportunity to use colchicine as a tool for improving agronomic traits in plant breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought stress restricts plant growth and development. The flowering stage is a period of abundant microbial diversity in the rhizosphere of broomcorn millet. However, the diversity and community structure of rhizosphere fungi during the flowering stage of broomcorn millet and the response mechanism to drought stress are still unclear. In this study, two broomcorn millet varieties, 'Hequ red millet' (A1) and 'Yanshu No.10′ (A2), with different drought resistances, were used as experimental materials. Using the pot water control method, drought treatment at the flowering stage was carried out, and normal watering (A1CK, A2CK) was used as the control. High-throughput sequencing technology was used to study the diversity and structural changes in rhizosphere fungi in broomcorn millet. The results show that the number of fungi OTUs in the A1, A2, A1CK and A2CK samples were 445, 481, 467 and 434, respectively, of which 331 OTUs were shared by all groups. The fungal community in the rhizosphere of broomcorn millet was mainly composed of Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. Drought treatment significantly reduced the abundance of Mortierella and significantly increased the abundance of Phoma. The abundance of Nectriaceae in the rhizosphere soil of 'Hequ Red millet' was significantly increased. The abundance of Pseudocercospora in the rhizosphere soil of 'Yanshu No.10′ was higher, and the lower was Hypocreales and Nectriaceae. However, there was no significant difference in the alpha diversity of fungal communities in the four treatments, and the fungal community structure between A2 and A1CK was more similar, whereas the difference between A1 and A2CK was larger. Correlation analysis showed that drought stress had little effect on the interaction of rhizosphere fungi, and metabolic functions such as nucleotide metabolism and electron transport in rhizosphere fungi accounted for a relatively high proportion. The results show that the diversity and community structure of rhizosphere fungi were less affected by drought, which may have been due to the close interaction between species, which made the fungal community more stable under drought stress, and the difference in planting varieties may have affected the enriched rhizosphere fungal species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Minor millets are high-energy, nutrient-dense grains essential to a country's nutritional security. Storage pests cause the greatest qualitative and quantitative losses to the stored millets and millet products. Ozone technology was adopted for controlling Tribolium castaneum in the storage of different food grains. In the present study, proso millet was conditioned to different moisture levels of 8, 12, and 16%. It was exposed to ozone to different concentrations of 250, 500, and 750 ppmv with various stages of Tribolium castaneum. The lethal time (LT99) values were found at 268, 475, 160, and 679 mins for adult, pupa, larva, and egg stages of Tribolium castaneum at 750 ppmv and 8% moisture level, respectively. The susceptibility of Tribolium castaneum for ozone disinfestation was found as egg>pupa>adult>larvae. No significant changes were observed between the control and ozone-treated proso millet at 750 ppmv with 8% moisture content in terms of protein, fat, and ash content. FTIR results of ozone-treated proso millet showed that there were significant (p < 0.05) changes in functional compounds. Similarly, no significant changes in the starch granules and protein bodies in ozone-treated proso millet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Increased soil salinization caused by natural or human activities is the leading cause of soil degradation. Cultivating salt-tolerant crops is an effective way to cope with soil salinity. However, the key salinity-tolerance traits and regulation mechanisms in salt-tolerant crops and the relevant ecological functions of the microbiome in the rhizosphere remain largely unexplored. Methods: The phenotypic, physiological, morphological, and molecular responses of salt-sensitive (SS 212) and salt-tolerant (ST 47) broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) to salinity were dissected, and the composition and variation in the rhizospheric microorganisms under saline and non-saline conditions were established. Results: Salinity tolerance was achieved in ST 47 by maintaining Na+/K+ balance and intact cell surface and internal structures and regulating the expression of PmCNGC (Na+ uptake), PmNHX (Na+ sequestration), and PmSOS1 (Na+ extrusion). Moreover, the genotype mediated the differences in the rhizospheric microbial community. The ST 47 rhizosphere had a stronger and more stable fungal composition under saline conditions compared to SS 212. In addition, ST 47 reshaped the microorganisms in the rhizosphere by recruiting specific beneficial microbes, namely Haliangium, Marispirillum, RB41, and Saccharospirillum bacteria, which promote soil nutrient cycling, and Acremonium, Blastobotrys, Calostoma, Chaetomium, Chrysosporium, Fusarium, and Scytalidium fungi, which are involved in stress tolerance and resource uptake. Conclusion: The findings of this study provide an empirical basis for improving crop performance through utilizing a key salt-tolerance mechanism and soil microbial management practices for sustainable agriculture in salinized soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was to reveal the feeding production potential of broomcorn millet in Heilongjiang Province, improve the scientificness and effectiveness of feeding of glutinous millet straw, and provide high-quality germplasm resources for feeding breeding of broomcorn millet. The performance and feeding indexes of 14 broomcorn millet cultivars were analyzed and measured, and the membership functions were used to comprehensively evaluate the different varieties. The results showed that Longmi 9, Ji Shu 3, Jinshu 9 and Yu Mi 3 had high yields of fresh grass and hay, which could be used as high-yield variety resources. The feeding quality indexes of Longshu 23, Mucfeng 7, Ji Shu 3 and Jinshu 9 were good, which could be used as variety resources with high nutritional value. According to the fuzzy membership function analysis, the D value of Ji Shu 3, Longmi 9 and Longshu 23 were better, and the comprehensive evaluation were better, which could be widely promoted as excellent feeding broomcorn millet varieties in this area, so as to improve the level of straw utilization and increase agricultural additional output value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The majority of millet is grown in Nigeria, Mali, Faso, Burkina, Chad, China and India. There are many different types of millet found throughout the universe, but finger millet, small millet, foxtail millet, and proso millet are the most prevalent millets. Among the tiny millets, finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn) has the most area under cultivation in India. Finger millet is the only minor cereal with better nutritional value than barley, rye, and oats, and it has exceptional features as a livelihood food product. It is one of the most significant minor millets, with a high calcium content (344 mg/100g), dietary fibre (18%), phytates (0.48%), and phenolics (0.3–3%). Other than that, it contains significant amounts of iron (3.9 mg), riboflavin (0.19 mg), thiamine (0.42 mg), and amino acids including isoleucine, phenylalanine, leucine, and methionine. Due to its nutraceutical potential, these phytochemicals make finger millet a powerhouse of health-promoting nutrients. It has anti-diabetic, anti-microbial, anti-cancer, antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-bacterial, and hepatoprotective characteristics along with other health benefits. We are exploring the potential of Eleusine coracana through this review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) is a prehistorical cereal, today cultivated as a minor crop with low yields but with a renewed interest for its high water use efficiency and gluten-free grains. To reverse the downward trend in broomcorn millet cultivation, the crop needs genetic improvement and creation of novel genetic variation to increase productivity. In order to facilitate genomics-assisted breeding, we designed a reduced representation genome-sequencing assay that investigates 1.8% of the nuclear DNA in a targeted and reproducible way, with an intensity of genomic sampling that is a direct function of local recombination rate. We used this tool and set up bioinformatics analyses tailored to the polyploid genome of P. miliaceum for maternity and paternity testing, quantification and genomic distribution of homozygous regions and estimation of parental genome contribution for individual seedlings in advanced inbred lines from a breeding program and compared their genomic composition with registered varieties. We found several clues that suggest that the genetic purification process to ensure genetic uniformity is incomplete in varieties of this species. Residual heterozygosity was detected in the genome of three registered varieties ranging from 4.4 to 6.25% of their haploid genome length. Other registered varieties show genome-wide homozygosity. We found, however, evidence of intravarietal genetic variation in three cases that suggest that the breeder seed or commercial seed production had fixed by self-pollination multiple inbred lines with very similar, though not identical, genotypes within each variety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: In this study, the antioxidant activities, structure, physicochemical properties and digestibility of different foxtail and proso millets were investigated. Dark‐coloured millets had lower lightness (L*) and higher total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and antioxidant activities than light‐coloured millets. The polygonal and spherical starch granules of millet were wrapped and attached by proteins, lipids, etc. The X‐ray diffraction patterns of millet flours exhibited A‐type, with crystallinity of 34.64%–40.98% for foxtail millets and 31.72%–40.16% for proso millets. Compared with waxy millets, non‐waxy millets were more resistant to swelling, gelatinisation and digestion, but showed a higher rate of retrogradation. Millet varieties with higher amylose content or higher TPC and TFC showed lower digestibility. These results will help to reveal the differences among millets with different types, varieties, colours and amylose content and provide theoretical guidance for their development and application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Object of the research is 5 new lines of pearl millet. They were bred in the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution "North Caucasus FARC". The purpose of the research was to specify the presence of nutrients (protein, fat, fiber, NFE), the level of essential and other amino acids in these new lines. Their content in the feed determines its biological value. The highest content of crude protein (12.92%) in the dry matter, which was obtained during the studies in 2021-2022, was found in line No. 1. This parameter ranged from 10.51 to 11.52% in other varieties. As for the grain, lines No. 5 (16.47%), No. 3 (16.45%) and No. 1 (16.29%) had the highest content of crude protein. The standards of Siberian millet and proso millet had significantly lower content of protein. It was 13.45 and 11.32%, respectively. The grain of the new lines showed the highest levels of crude fat in lines No. 4 (7.34%) and No. 5 (7.09%). The amount of crude gluten in the grain and dry matter of pearl millet was relatively low. On average, the dry matter of pearl millet had lower levels of essential amino acids (0.36%) compared to non-essential ones (0.72%). The new lines No. 1 and No. 5 had the highest content of essential amino acids in the grain. The content of non-essential amino acids in the grain was significantly higher than in the dry matter, averaging 1.2% and 0.72% respectively. The new lines No. 4, No. 3, and No. 1 had the maximum content of these amino acids. In terms of amino acid content, pearl millet grain exceeded the standards of proso millet and Siberian millet grain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Broomcorn millet is a gramineous herb with drought resistance, saline-alkali tolerance, barren tolerance, and short growth period. In order to provide candidate genes for stress resistance molecular breeding for broomcorn millet, in this study, on the basis of the previous transcriptome sequencing annotation genes, the NAC protein domain annotated on the chromosome 16 of the broomcorn millet genome was aligned to obtain the gDNA sequence of the PmNAC1 gene. The nucleotide sequence of the broomcorn millet was obtained by PCR amplification and gene cloning. The online software ORF Finder Blast were used to conduct bioinformatics analysis of the physical and chemical properties and structure of the protein encoded by broomcorn millet NAC. The results showed that the full length of the PmNAC1 gene was 1 634 bp, encoding 423 amino acids, without signal peptide and transmembrane structure. The amino acids in the secondary structure were mainly composed of 8 α-helix chains and 14 β-sheet chains, which were hydrophilic proteins. The conserved sites were 73-211 amino acids, and there were 59 phosphorylation sites. The glycosylation site exceeded the horizontal line of 0.5. The phylogenetic tree of NAC amino acid sequence of broomcorn millet transcription factor was constructed. The genetic relationship between PmNAC1 protein and switchgrass CUC2 was the closest, and the genetic variation coefficient of the two was 0.06. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using microsatellite markers to analyze the genetic diversity of broomcorn millet resources and determine its genetic background is conducive to rational and efficient utilization of resources. In this study, eighty core germplasm of Shanxi broomcorn millet were used as materials, and 44 SSR markers were used as detection tools. PowerMarker 3.25 and PopGen 1.32 were used to calculate the genetic diversity measurement parameters, MEGA 11.0.10 was used to draw the cluster diagram, NTSYSpc2.11a was used for principal component Analysis, and ID Analysis 4.0 was applied to construct DNA molecular identity cards of the materials. The results showed that a total of 130 allelic variants were detected at 44 loci of 80 materials, with an average of 3 allelic variants detected at each locus. Based on UPGMA cluster analysis, 80 materials were classified into 4 groups(Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ), mainly from Jinzhong city, Xinzhou city, Shuozhou city, and Xinzhou city. By principal component analysis, the materials were classified into 10 categories(G1-G10), with G1 from Datong city, G2 from Shuozhou city, G3 from Xinzhou city, G4 from Taiyuan city, G5-G10 from Yangquan city, Jinzhong city, Lüliang city, Changzhi city, Linfen city, and Yuncheng city, respectively. Combining PIC and I values, there were 21 pairs of SSR primers higher than average(RYW3, RYW7, RYW11, RYW14, RYW18, RYW26, RYW28, RYW29, RYW30, RYW31, RYW37, RYW40, RYW49, RYW54, RYW56, RYW61, RYW62, RYW65, RYW67, and RYW82). Using ID Analysis 4.0 software analysis, 16 primer combinations (RYW62, RYW67, RYW56, RYW65, RYW61, RYW40, RYW37, RYW31, RYW82, RYW29, RYW28, RYW49, RYW39, RYW54, RYW18, and RYW30) were found to distinguish all materials. Through the online twodimensional code generator, the basic information and string information of the test materials were processed, and the twodimensional code DNA molecular identity card could be obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proso millet is an important allotetraploid cereal crop; however, it is the least studied species of the Poaceae family, as it is an under-utilized crop. Genomic resources for proso millet are very limited compared to major crops. An understanding of the genetic relationships among germplasm resources is important for future breeding endeavors. In the present study, simplesequence repeat (SSR) markers were employed to assess the polymorphism and genetic diversity of 100 millet accessions from different countries, which were tested in the dry steppe zone conditions of the Akmola region from 2020 to 2022. The use of 20 SSR markers detected a total of 47 alleles, with an average allele number of 2.35 per locus among these proso accessions. Nine of them were polymorphic among the genotypes, which suggests that these SSR markers can be used for genetic studies. The results showed a moderate level of polymorphism information content (PIC) that averaged at 0.424, ranging from 0.125 to 0.795. The markers SSR-67, SSR-82, SSR-85 and SSR-109 showed high PIC values of 0.536, 0.756, 0.795 and 0.758, respectively. Markers SSR 85 and SSR 86 significantly correlated to agronomic traits, such as productive tillering (PT) and grain yield (GY). The genetic structure, UPGMA cluster and PCoA assay indicated that the accessions that originated from Central Asia had higher genetic diversity. Based on structure (K = 3), all the accessions were divided into three groups, where the gene pool that originated from Central Asia wasdetected in all three clusters. Based on a principal component analysis (PCA), the accessions of Central Asian origin were genetically closer to the North Asian group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the potential risks posed to the environment and human health, analyzing pesticide residues in proso millet is important. This paper aimed to develop a modified QuEChERS method with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) for the analysis of 54 pesticide residues in proso millet. Parameters including the mobile phase of the instrument, the acidity of the extraction solvent, and the type of absorbents were optimized to provide satisfactory performance. The method was validated concerning linearity, limit of quantification (LOQ), matrix effect, accuracy, and precision. In detail, the linearity of the matrix-matched calibration curve was acceptable with correlation coefficients (R2) higher than 0.99. The mean recovery was in the range of 86% to 114% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) ≤ 20% (n = 5). The LOQ was determined to be 0.25–10 μg/kg. The developed method was feasible for the determination of multiple pesticide residues in proso millet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proso millet has been proposed as an effective anti-diabetic food thanks to the combined action of polyphenols and starch. This study aimed to characterize the chemical composition of twenty-five accessions, in order to enhance this cereal as an alternative to available starch for food applications or to propose new food ingredients with health benefits. Proso millet contained a high percentage of starch, reaching values of 58.51%. The amylose content showed high variability, with values ranging from 1.36 to 42.70%, and significantly higher values were recorded for the white accessions than for the colored ones. High-resistant starch content (13.41–26.07%) was also found. The HPLC-MS analysis showed the same phenolic pattern in all the samples. Cinnamic acids are the most abundant compounds and significant differences in their total content were found (0.69 to 1.35 mg/g DW), while flavonoids were only detected in trace amounts. Statistical results showed significantly higher antiradical activity in the colored accessions than in the white ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proso millet, being the climate-resilient crop among cereals can be grown for food and fodder purposes. The current study was carried out to assess the variability, association, and divergence for 15 biometrical traits among 72 Proso millet accessions. The traits viz., number of basal tillers, flag leaf blade width, peduncle length, number of grains per panicle, dry fodder yield and single plant yield contributed maximum for the variability among the genotypes. High heritability with high genetic advance were recorded for the traits namely plant height, number of basal tillers, flag leaf blade length, flag leaf blade width, peduncle length, panicle length, number of grains per panicle, number of primary inflorescence branches, crude protein, dry fodder yield and single plant yield. Therefore selection based on these traits will be rewarding in future proso millet breeding programs. The traits such as plant height, number of basal tillers, flag leaf blade width, peduncle length, number of grains per panicle, and number of primary inflorescence branches were positively and significantly correlated with single plant yield, indicating the importance of these traits while improving the yield. High positive direct effect in path coefficient analysis for the traits plant height, flag leaf sheath length, panicle length, peduncle length, and thousand-grain weight indicated that yield improvement can be accomplished by direct selection based on these characters. Divergence by using Mehalanobis D2 analysis resulted in ten clusters. High inter cluster distance was observed between the clusters VII and X, VI and X, VI and X, and XII and I. Therefore, hybridization between the genotypes among the respective pair of clusters would be desirable to have high heterotic crosses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Phospho enol pyruvate (PEP) carboxylase (PEPC) catalyses the irreversible carboxylation of PEP with bicarbonate to produce oxaloacetate. This reaction powers the carbon-concentrating mechanism (CCM) in plants that perform C4 photosynthesis. This CCM is generally driven by a single PEPC gene product that is highly expressed in the cytosol of mesophyll cells. We found two C4 grasses, Panicum miliaceum and Echinochloa colona , that each have two highly expressed PEPC genes. We characterized the kinetic properties of the two most abundant PEPCs in E. colona and P. miliaceum to better understand how the enzyme's amino acid structure influences its function. Methods Coding sequences of the two most abundant PEPC proteins in E. colona and P. miliaceum were synthesized by GenScript and were inserted into bacteria expression plasmids. Point mutations resulting in substitutions at conserved amino acid residues (e.g. N-terminal serine and residue 890) were created via site-directed PCR mutagenesis. The kinetic properties of semi-purified plant PEPCs from Escherichia coli were analysed using membrane-inlet mass spectrometry and a spectrophotometric enzyme-coupled reaction. Key Results The two most abundant P. miliaceum PEPCs (Pm PPC1 and Pm PPC2) have similar sequence identities (>95 %), and as a result had similar kinetic properties. The two most abundant E. colona PEPCs (Ec PPC1 and Ec PPC2) had identities of ~78 % and had significantly different kinetic properties. The Pm PPCs and Ec PPCs had different responses to allosteric inhibitors and activators, and substitutions at the conserved N-terminal serine and residue 890 resulted in significantly altered responses to allosteric regulators. Conclusions The two, significantly expressed C 4 Ppc genes in P. miliaceum were probably the result of genomes combining from two closely related C4 Panicum species. We found natural variation in PEPC's sensitivity to allosteric inhibition that seems to bypass the conserved 890 residue, suggesting alternative evolutionary pathways for increased malate tolerance and other kinetic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The current study was undertaken to develop novel gluten‐free functional snacks using proso millet flour with the addition of nano‐encapsulated crocin in sorghum (SPCS), pearl millet (PPCS) and foxtail millet (FPCS) protein nanoparticles. The crocin content was well retained (58.08%–77.67%) in the developed snacks. Characteristic properties like nutraceutical potential, rheological, sensory and physical attributes were evaluated. The extruded snacks showed good antioxidant (DNA damage inhibition assay), anti‐diabetic (alpha amylase inhibition assay) and anti‐hypertensive (angiotensin converting enzyme assay) properties. The developed snacks (P > 0.05) showed higher elastic behaviour (G′) compared to viscous behaviour (G″). Hardness value for functional snacks were found to be in the range of 407–115 N. The control snacks showed significantly higher expansion ratio (348.76%) compared to functional snacks. The developed novel functional snacks appeared darker than control snacks as evaluated by colorimetric assay. The overall acceptability of the snacks was found to be equal on a 9‐point hedonic scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The eastern Baltic region represents the world's most northerly limit of successful broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum) (hereafter, millet) cultivation in the past, yet this crop has been almost forgotten today. The earliest millet in the eastern Baltic region has been identified from macrobotanical remains which were directly dated to ca 1000 BCE. Between 800 and 500 BCE, millet was one of the major staple foods in the territory of modern-day Lithuania. Millet continued to play an important role in past agriculture up until the 15th century, with its use significantly declining during the following centuries. This paper analyses both the archaeobotanical records and written sources on broomcorn millet cultivation in Lithuania from its first arrival all the way through to the 19th century. The manuscript reviews the evidence of millet cultivation in the past as documented by archaeobotanical remains and historical accounts. In light of fluctuating records of millet cultivation through time, we present the hypothetical reasons for the decline in millet use as human food. The paper hypothesizes that the significant decrease in broomcorn millet cultivation in Lithuania from the 15th century onwards was likely influenced by several factors, which include climate change (the Little Ice Age) and the agricultural reforms of the 16th century. However, more detailed research is required to link past fluctuations in millet cultivation with climatic and historical sources, thus better understanding the roots of collapsing crop biodiversity in the past. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytoliths are silica bodies formed in living plant tissues, and they can be reliable indicators of their parent plants when they demonstrate characteristic phytolith morphology. As shown by the growing case studies around the globe, phytolith morphology is of significant value for identifying and even quantifying domesticated plants. However, researchers also alert that phytoliths morphology can change, for example, in alkaline solutions or heat, causing the loss of characteristic phytoliths and eventually leading to the over- or under-identification of certain phytoliths. Focusing on the degree to which heat can cause changes to the phytolith morphology of millet, the present study carried out a series of controlled heating experiments on six varieties of modern common millet (Panicum miliaceum) growing in different regions of Northern China. Husked grains were heated following the dry ashing method. Specimens prepared from the dry ashing method were examined under an optical microscope to quantify articulated husk phytoliths, which are characteristic millet phytoliths, and to estimate the surface area of millet grains. We estimated that 30.8% to 59.5% of the common millet phytoliths underwent morphological damage in the heating experiments. Considering our previous heating experiments on foxtail millet, we conclude that compared to foxtail millet phytoliths, common millet phytoliths experience morphological damage more quickly when exposed to heat. This observation may explain (at least partially) the contradictory results between macro- and micro-botanical results. It reminds us that common millet can be underrepresented in the micro-botanical evidence (phytoliths). We conclude the paper by discussing the potential archaeological implications of our heating experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present study aimed to identify the effect of different concentrations of sodium azide (NaN3 ), depending on seed exposure time on various economically valuable traits of millet plants in M1 generation and establish the effectiveness of inducing beneficial mutations. From the experiments, it is concluded that the optimal concentration of sodium azide for millet mutagenesis in laboratory conditions is 1% at 4 hours of exposure, while the germination of seeds and the length of seedlings remain at the level of control. In the field in the nursery of the first generation (M1 ) mutants, sodium azide reduced the germination of seeds and plants survival, whereas an increase in the mutagen concentration increased the inhibitory effect on seeds and the development of plants. It was noted that the concentration of the mutagen does not significantly affect the period of vegetation, which in all variants was at the control level. Least conservancy of the indicator was observed, when treated with 0.5% concentration of the mutagen. A decrease in vegetation period by 3-6 days was recorded as the time of treatment with a mutagen increased with an exposure of 8 and 12 hours, compared to an exposure of 4 hours, the longer the time the seeds were exposed to the mutagen, the lower the indicator of the vegetation durability. A higher frequency and a wide range of changed forms were registered at 0.1% concentration of mutagen at 12 hours of exposure and varied from 3.2% to 6.3%. The identified promising mutant forms of millet with a complex of economically useful traits are of practical value and can be used in further breeding process of this crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From 2017 to 2019, the Institute of Archaeology at the Nanjing Museum, in collaboration with the Yangzhou Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology and the Yizheng Museum, conducted archaeological exploration and excavation of family cemeteries in Lianying site. A total of 121 tombs and 19 sacrificial pits of the Han dynasty were been excavated, and over2,300 cultural relics such as pottery, bronze, jade, and lacquer ware were unearthed. It has been preliminarily determined that this area was the family cemeteries of the Western Han Dynasty with the planned burial area, and continued from the early Western Han Dynasty to the late Western Han Dynasty. The plant materials analyzed were from M77 during the excavation process, dating back to the early and middle Western Han Dynasty, with an absolute time of around 130 BC. After sampling, extraction and identification, it is found that the major plant remains are rice, millet, broomcorn millet, hemp, legumes, etc., and most of the plant remains are still bright, which indicates that the burial crops in the tombs of the Han Dynasty met the highest standards of burial rites at that time. At the same time, eight different crops were used, namely broomcorn millet, millet, wheat, sorghum, rice, hemp, soybeans and adzuki beans, which provides valuable physical information for studying the types and methods of grain buried in Han tombs of Lianying site and understanding the concepts of funeral and social life in the Han Dynasty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, there was a change in the subsistence pattern in the upper reaches of Jinghe River. From the pre-Zhou period to the late Western Zhou period, the planting industry mainly relied on millet and broomcorn millet, but the wheat became the main crop with broomcorn millet as the supplement after the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. The family breeding industry, once mainly focusing on dogs, sheep, goats, horses, pigs, and yellow cattle, shifted to raise livestock such as sheep, pigs, and chickens. The reasons for the changes may be related to weather, climate, use of ironware, and government supervision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the feed, nutrient, and energy intake of three different small/medium psittacine species fed four different feeds based on three different types of seeds (canary seeds - Phalaris canariensis, millet seeds - Panicum miliaceum, and sunflower seeds - Helianthus annuus) and extruded feed. For this study, 21 individuals of each species (21 rose-ringed parakeets - Psitaculla krameri; 21 lovebirds - Agapornis spp.; 21 cockatiels - Nymphicus hollandicus) were individually housed in cages for the evaluation of voluntary feed, nutrient, and energy intake. Rose-ringed parakeets preferentially (P < 0.001) consumed sunflower seeds, while lovebirds, selected millet seeds over extruded feed without sunflower seeds (P < 0.013). When sunflower seed was not provided, all bird species selected millet seeds over extruded feed (rose-ringed P = 0.003; cockatiels P = 0.004; lovebirds P = 0.013). Selective feeding on sunflower seeds resulted in a higher intake of fat, protein, and gross energy. Low calcium intake (lower than 0.3%) and an imbalanced calcium-to-phosphorus ratio were observed in diets where extruded feed was not consistently consumed. The energy intake for the rose-ringed birds was 28.8 kcal/day, and 17,4 kcal/day for cockatiels, and lovebirds. These values exceeded the recommended maintenance energy requirement when experimental diets containing sunflower seeds and exclusively extruded feed were offered. Psittacine feed intake varies according to the type of feed and among species, and this selective feeding behavior can result in nutritional imbalances, causing chronic disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xinjiang, in Northwestern China, was a key point in the prehistoric trans-Eurasian network of exchange and played an important role in facilitating the dispersal of crops across Eurasia. Millet crops were first cultivated and used ca. 10,000 years ago in Northern China, from where they spread via different routes, leaving intriguing traces in various sites across Xinjiang. This paper presents the latest data on millet in Xinjiang. By employing a multidisciplinary approach, including radiocarbon dating, archaeobotanical evidence, and carbon isotope datasets, this study explores potential routes by which millet entered Xinjiang and traces its expansion from the third millennium BC to the 10th century AD. The research highlights the significant role of millet in shaping the ancient economies and cultures of Xinjiang and Central Asia, while also underscoring the importance of further investigation to uncover the complex pathways of its dispersal across Eurasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Inner Asian Mountain Corridor (IAMC) has been identified as a major pathway for the westward dispersal of millet from Northern China, where it was initially cultivated. Cross-disciplinary investigations are necessary to distinguish cultivated millet taxa from their wild relatives and to clarify the social context underlying millet adoption in novel environments. Despite the ambiguity in distinguishing Setaria italica from Panicum miliaceum or other Setaria species using conventional analysis of charred macro remains, recent attention has focused on the time gap between the introduction of S. italica to IAMC following P. miliaceum. Here, we employed a pottery impression casting method on materials from four Bronze Age sites in eastern/southeastern Kazakhstan to investigate the surface textures of grain impressions on the surface of pottery containers. We successfully identified both millets (Setaeria and Panicum) from three of the sites, Begash, Tasbas, and Dali in the IAMC. Based on our findings, two species of millet were introduced to the region within a much shorter range of time than previously estimated. In addition, the current evidence supports the premise that these cereals were likely utilized for human consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) is an early domesticated C4 cereal crop with high water utilization ability, nutrient content, favored agronomic traits, and tolerance to a broad spectrum of abiotic stresses. Hyperosmotic stress is an inevitable consequence of strong drought on plant, which causes severe dehydration and adversely affects the growth and yield of plants. In this study, we used PEG-6000 to simulate drought conditions and identified differentially expressed gene in broomcorn millet root and shoot under different PEG-6000 concentrations. A total of 11,452 and 14,952 significantly different expression genes (DEGs) were detected separately in root and shoot under at least one PEG treatment. Of these, 2991 and 2051 DEGs were commonly detected at all different PEG levels in root and shoot, respectively, and 535 DEGs were shared in both root and shoot at all different PEG levels, including six genes differently regulated in root and shoot. Enrichment analysis categorized these DEGs into 85 and 56 GO terms, or 17 and 6 significant KEGG pathways in root and shoot, respectively. And 39 hub genes especially longmi029229 associated with hyperosmotic stress were detected by weighted gene co-expression network analysis. In addition, 29 TCP transcription factors were identified and characterized in broomcorn millet, which were divided into three clades. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the TCPs of monocot broomcorn millet and rice were closer than the TCPs of monocot broomcorn millet and dicot Arabidopsis. Analysis of the expression pattern of PmTCPs to drought stress indicated that 11 and 20 TCP genes showed significant change under PEG-6000 treatment in root and shoot separately. These DEGs and PmTCP genes with differential expression patterns in shoot and root deserve further study for uncovering the mechanism of drought resistance in broomcorn millet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The current study aimed at bioprocessing i.e. germination, fermentation and dual processing of different nutri‐cereals (red sorghum, white sorghum, foxtail millet, proso millet and barnyard millet) followed by their use in the development of fabricated grain in equal proportion with and without steaming. The fabricated grains were studied for cooking quality, bioactive composition and associated antioxidant activity, molecular interactions, structural characterisation and organoleptic evaluation. Bioprocessed fabricated grains had significantly lower cooking time, water absorption, and volume expansion but enhanced gruel solid loss while pre‐gelatinisation resulted in decreased losses. Bioprocessed fabricated grains had enhanced bioactive profiles when compared to pre‐gelatinised and control fabricated grains. Pre‐gelatinizaion modified the starch‐protein matrix preventing the leaching of compounds into the water. The results suggest that bioprocessed grains can be potential ingredients for the development of pre‐gelatinised fabricated grains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The southern spread of rice agriculture is of great academic interest. Although it already has a broad chronological framework, newly introduced rice use and its impact on local subsistence and ecological systems are still unclear. In this study, we explore these issues by analysing phytoliths recovered from continuous sediments of Cave No. 4 at the Nanshan site in Fujian Province, together with evidence from surrounding sites. The results show that rice was introduced into southeast China at 7,500 cal. yr BP, but the dominance of the hunting-gathering system was not challenged until later, between 5,000 and 3,500 cal. yr BP, when cultivation of rice, together with foxtail and broomcorn millets, was widely practiced in the region. This suggests that mixed farming in Southeast China, likely originating around the middle Yangtze River, became widespread and gradually systematic during the previous two-millennium adoption. This rice-millet mixed agricultural system changed the former hunting-gathering subsistence system, promoting the agriculturalization process, cultural prosperity and population growth, thus providing a solid basis for rice expansion and cultural migration to Southeast Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to meet the precision seeding of small seeds including millet and broomcorn millet in hilly and mountainous areas, a single-row small grain precision seeder was developed. Static seeding test and seeding test were carried out on the seeder. In this paper, the key parts such as socket wheel-ring groove seed metering device, transmission system and tensioning wheel are designed. The working parts such as arrow shovel furrow opener, plastic seed tube and hollow cast iron press wheel were selected to achieve seed metering. The seed metering wheel has double-row of holes. The results of static seeding test showed that rotational speed had a significant effect on the sowing quantity of millet and broomcorn millet (P < 0.001). The higher the rotational speed, the greater the sowing quantity. With the increase of rotational speed of seed metering wheel, the damage rate of millet and broomcorn millet increased. At the same rotational speed, the breakage rate of broomcorn millet is smaller than that of millet. The field sowing test showed that when the seeder is at a marching speed of about 0.5 m/s, the qualified rate of the hole spacing of millet and broomcorn millet is greater than or equal to 90%, and the qualified rate of the number of grains per hole is greater than or equal to 82%. All indicators meet the requirements of the technical conditions of single-grain (precision) seeder. The design can provide reference for the design and optimization of small grain precision seeder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Northern Shaanxi is important in understanding the ancient use and northward spread of foxtail millet (Setaria italica) and broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum). Nonetheless, due to the lack of millet remains, AMS radiocarbon data, and environmental background, the emergence, crop structure, and environmental factors of millet use in northern Shaanxi remain ambiguous. To address this knowledge gap, a systematic survey was conducted along the Beiluo River. Forty-two relic units at 19 Neolithic sites were selected for analysis through phytolith, AMS radiocarbon dating, and spatio-temporal approaches. Phytolith and AMS radiocarbon dating analyses traced the utilization of millets in the Beiluo River to 6280 cal. BP. In addition, broomcorn millet was more prevalent than foxtail millet during the Neolithic period, although the prevalence of the latter increased during the late Longshan period. Spatio-temporal analysis demonstrated that millets initially appeared in the Beiluo River during the Yangshao period, gradually moving away during the Longshan period, which was probably first related to the nearest rivers and then the spread of cattle and sheep. However, the millet cultivation altitude remained at 1400 m throughout the Yangshao and Longshan periods. Collectively, these findings provide evidence for the use and northward spread of millets in northwest China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, land alkalinization affecting agricultural development. Considering the increasingly serious effects of alkaline stress on agriculture and environment, phytoremediation may be an efficient way to addressed land alkalinization. Broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) is a saline‐alkaline‐tolerant crop and bioenergy crop. However, the molecular mechanism of alkaline response on broomcorn millet remains large gap. To explore the alkaline stress on broomcorn millet and the mitigation of 24‐epicastasterone (BR), the effects of CK (nutrient solution only), CB (nutrient solution + 0.5 mg L−1 BR), AS (alkaline stress), and AB (alkaline stress + 0.5 mg L−1 BR) on TA289 (alkaline‐tolerant) and SA223 (alkaline‐sensitive) were investigated. Alkaline stress enhanced reactive oxygen species and membrane lipid peroxidation. BR boosted antioxidant enzyme activities to reduce oxidative stress. Simultaneously, BR attenuated Na+ toxicity and maintained ion homeostasis. Additionally, BR significantly maintained the physiological structure and photosynthetic properties. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses were applied to further evaluate the effect of BR on photosynthetic and antioxidant defense. The results showed that BR significantly reduced the transcriptional responses of photosynthesis and antioxidant defense and promoted the accumulation of effective metabolites such as biliverdin, l‐glutamate, and phosphoric acid. Taken together, BR application can significantly alleviate the damage of alkaline stress to broomcorn millet by altering transcriptional expression and metabolite accumulation and is a simple and effective strategy to alleviate alkaline stress. This study reveals the molecular mechanism of BR to enhance photosynthetic capacity and antioxidant defense of broomcorn millet under alkaline stress, which provides theoretical support for the cultivation of bioenergy crops on alkaline lands and the breeding of alkaline‐tolerant bioenergy varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current agricultural production depends on very limited species grown as monocultures that are highly vulnerable to climate change, presenting a threat to the sustainability of agri-food systems. However, many hundreds of neglected crop species have the potential to cater to the challenges of climate change by means of resilience to adverse climate conditions. Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.), one of the underutilised minor millets grown as a rainfed subsistence crop, was selected in this study as an exemplary climate-resilient crop. Using a previously calibrated version of the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM), the sensitivity of the crop to changes in temperature and precipitation was studied using the protocol of the Coordinated Climate Crop Modelling Project (C3MP). The future (2040–2069) production was simulated using bias-corrected climate data from 20 general circulation models of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) under RCP4.5 and 8.5 scenarios. According to the C3MP analysis, we found a 1°C increment of temperature decreased the yield by 5–10% at zero rainfall change. However, Proso millet yields increased by 5% within a restricted climate change space of up to 2°C of warming with increased rainfall. Simulated future climate yields were lower than the simulated yields under the baseline climate of the 1980–2009 period (mean 1707 kg ha–1) under both RCP4.5 (–7.3%) and RCP8.5 (–16.6%) though these changes were not significantly (p > 0.05) different from the baseline yields. Proso millet is currently cultivated in limited areas of Sri Lanka, but our yield mapping shows the potential for expansion of the crop to new areas under both current and future climates. The results of the study, indicating minor impacts from projected climate change, reveal that Proso millet is an excellent candidate for low-input farming systems under changing climate. More generally, through this study, a framework that can be used to assess the climate sensitivity of underutilized crops was also developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanisms of the origin and dispersal of millet agriculture in northern China are poorly understood. We used plant macroremains, stable isotope compositions of human bone collagen, and pollen records from the Sitai site to reconstruct changes in subsistence strategies and their relationship with the ecological environment from the early to middle Holocene on the Inner Mongolian Plateau in northern China. Charred weed-like seeds, the bones of small mammals, eggshell fragments, together with microliths, indicate the practice of hunter-gatherer subsistence strategies during 10,500–10,200 cal yr BP. Deciduous broadleaved forest-steppe vegetation was present around the Sitai site during the early middle Holocene (8000–7000 cal yr BP). Additionally, isotopic compositions of human bones and plant remains reveal that millet agriculture and hunting-gathering appeared in the early middle Holocene. The spread of millet agriculture on the Inner Mongolian Plateau was likely favored by an increase in precipitation between 8000 and 7000 cal yr BP. The development of millet agriculture on the Inner Mongolia Plateau and the Loess Plateau was the prelude to its subsequent spread to the Tibet Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) is one of the earliest domesticated crops, and is a valuable resource to secure food diversity and combat drought stresses under the global warming scenario. However, due to the absence of extant diploid progenitors, the polyploidy genome of broomcorn millet remains poorly understood. Here, we report the chromosome‐scale genome assembly of broomcorn millet. We divided the broomcorn millet genome into two subgenomes using the genome sequence of Panicum hallii, a diploid relative of broomcorn millet. Our analyses revealed that the two subgenomes diverged at ~4.8 million years ago (Mya), while the allotetraploidization of broomcorn millet may have occurred about ~0.48 Mya, suggesting that broomcorn millet is a relatively recent allotetraploid. Comparative analyses showed that subgenome B was larger than subgenome A in size, which was caused by the biased accumulation of long terminal repeat retrotransposons in the progenitor of subgenome B before polyploidization. Notably, the accumulation of biased mutations in the transposable element‐rich subgenome B led to more gene losses. Although no significant dominance of either subgenome was observed in the expression profiles of broomcorn millet, we found the minimally expressed genes in P. hallii tended to be lost during diploidization of broomcorn millet. These results suggest that broomcorn millet is at the early stage of diploidization and that mutations likely occurred more on genes that were marked with lower expression levels. Significance Statement: We assembled the chromosome‐scale genome assembly of broomcorn millet and divided the allotetraploid genome into two subgenomes. The biased TE activity in the two subgenomes may have led to the expanded genome size in subgenome B before polyploidization and elevated levels of gene losses during diploidization. The present study suggests that broomcorn millet is at the early stage of diploidization and that mutations likely occurred more on genes that were marked with lower expression levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]