In-vivo hyperglycemic,antioxidant, histopathological changes,and simultaneous measurement of kaempferol verified by high-performance thin layer chromatography of Setaria italica in streptozotocin -induced diabetic rats

BackgroundSetaria italica (common name- foxtail, kangni) is one of the major food crops which is prominently cultivated in southern regions of India and in certain regions of Uttar Pradesh. Besides the crop’s consumption as a general source of carbohydrate rich cereal, the seeds of the crop are comprised of more fiber. So, it is recommended to add in the dietary supplementation of the diabetic people across the country.ObjectiveIn this paper, it intends to investigate the antidiabetic activity and antioxidant activity of S. italica (foxtail millet) seeds in diabetic rats.MethodsThe six genotypes of foxtail millets (S. italica) namely Kangni-1, Kangni-4, Kangni-5, Kangni-6, Kangni-7 & Kangni-10 respectively were subjected to in vitro investigations via. comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) involving blood glucose study, Kidney & Liver function test, and antioxidant study (Catalase test; Glutathione S-transferase (GST); Superoxide Dismutase (SOD); glutathione (GSH); hiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) & Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and were performed in vivo animal investigations in Wistar rats. The STZ induced diabetic rats were fed with doses of different S. italica seed aqueous extract to evaluate its anti-hyperglycemic activity by oral administration of SISAE. Further, it was compared with Glibenclamide which acts as one of the standard oral hypoglycemic agents.ResultsFrom achieved outcomes, a significant fall of blood glucose level (70%) produced 300 mg SISAE/kg b.w. after 6 h of extract administration. However, no change could be produced by these doses of the SISAE in normal rats’ blood glucose levels. A significant fall in glucose level along with significant glycemic control by lower HbA1c levels was observed in diabetic treated rats after 3 weeks of treatment with 300 mg of SISAE/kg b.w./day when comparing to untreated diabetic rats. Among these five genotypes of S. italica, the differences in the glycemic index were found. a significant fall could be found in blood glucose levels of Wistar rats, when every experimental rat was incorporating with the extract of different genotypes of Setaria italica L. Beauv than the rats treated with Glibenclamide in every 7 days of interval. The level of catalase, SOD, GST, GPx, GSH and TBARS showed variation while the rats were fed with the extract of S. italica in the liver test of rats. In kidney function test, the result shows that there is significant relationship between foxtail extract and kidney function of STZ induced diabetes rats. They show the change in their serum creatinine level, serum urea and serum uric acid.ConclusionThe result obtained from the study shows that the extract of S. italica seeds is capable for the hypolipidemic and antihyperglycemic activities, thereby, they serve as one of the good sources for herbal medicinal items.     

Host plant resistance to grain mould in germplasm accessions of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum [L.] R. Br.)

Abstract

The paucity of information on the moulds in Indian pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) led to the studies that were conducted at ICRISAT, India to evaluate (a) 447 germplasm accessions of 32 countries for mould reaction in rainy season, (b) threshed grain mould rating (TGMS) and mycoflora on grains of each accession, and (c) mould scores in field and in vitro. Post physiological maturity evaluation showed that 16% of the accessions secured a mould rating of 2. In TGMS, 18% were mould free and 57% secured a rating of 2 on a 1 – 9 scale. Assessment of twenty representative accessions in vitro against individual and mixed conidial suspensions (1 × 10⁽⁶⁾ conidia ml^(?1)) of Fusarium moniliforme, F. pallidoroseum and Curvularia pennisetti indicated significant correlation (r = 0.97) between the overall field and in vitro scores of mixed spores inoculations. The mycoflora for TGMS in blotter test revealed that Fusarium moniliforme, F. pallidoroseum, Curvularia pennisetti, Helminthosporium spp., Alternaria spp. and Colletotrichum spp. to be the major fungi affecting pearl millet grain. It is advisable to harvest panicles at the physiological maturity stage to obtain better quality grains. A strong negative correlation between TGMS and % GS (r = 0.4601) and positive correlation between TGMS and % UGS (r = 0.4654) indicated that, the lesser the threshed grain mould rating higher the % seed germination.     

Simultaneous inclusion of sorghum and cottonseed meal or millet in broiler diets: effects on performance and nutrient digestibility

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the use of sorghum, cottonseed meal and millet in broiler diets and their interaction when they are used simultaneously. In Experiment 1, a corn-soybean meal control diet was compared with eight experimental treatments based on low tannin sorghum (S30, S45 and S60), cottonseed meal (CM15, CM40) or both ingredients included in the same diet (S30/CM40, S45/CM25 and S60CM15). Results showed that BW gain was not affected by the inclusion of sorghum or cottonseed meal. However, feed intake tended to be affected by the cereal type with the highest values with sorghum-based diets. Feed conversion ratio increased (P<0.001) with sorghum-based diets compared with the control diet, whereas a combination of cottonseed meal and sorghum in the same diet did not affect the feed conversion ratio. Significant differences (P<0.001) were observed in apparent ileal digestibility (%) of protein and energy with the cottonseed meal and sorghum/cottonseed meal-based diets having lower protein and energy digestibility compared with corn-based diets. In Experiment 2, a control diet was compared with six diets in which corn was substituted at 60%, 80% or 100% by either sorghum or millet and other three diets with simultaneous inclusion of these two ingredients (S30/M30, S40/M40, S50/M50). Single or combined inclusion of sorghum and millet resulted in similar feed intake and growth performance as the control diet. Apparent ileal digestibility of protein and energy was higher with millet-based diets (P<0.001). Total tract digestibility of protein in sorghum and millet-based diets tended to decrease linearly with the increasing level of substitution. Sorghum-based diets resulted in lower total tract digestibility of fat compared with millet and sorghum/millet-based diets (P<0.001). Higher total tract digestibility of starch were obtained with the control diet and millet-based diets compared with the sorghum-based treatments. Results of the two experiments suggest that broiler growth performance was not affected by the dietary level of sorghum, millet or cottonseed meal. Nutrient digestion can, however, be affected by these feed ingredients.     

Farmers’ Management of Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana L.) diversity in Tigray, Ethiopia and Implications for on-Farm Conservation

Tigray (region) is one of the major finger millet growing regions in Ethiopia and an important site from an archeobotanical point of view. Three zones of Tigray (east, central and west) were identified as representative sites in the region and a total of 14 districts/ ‘Woreda’ were surveyed. Thirty-seven landraces/farmers’ varieties of finger millet were identified/recorded. Farmers in Tigray undertake pre and post harvest selection in finger millet and sometimes they also select seeds from storage based on a number of attributes. Farmers maintain diversity as a way to ensure harvest security or stability of production, to promote diversity of diet and income sources, minimize crop failure risk, reduce insect and disease incidences and ensure efficient use of labour. The traditional management of finger millet in the entire study area is generally found to be demand driven, showing the existence of potential sites for on-farm conservation. The high morphological diversity (H =0.76 ± 0.09) found in the gene bank collections of Tigrayan origin also reveals the importance of linking ex situ with in situ conservation activities. Furthermore, the enhancement and conservation significance of the crop is discussed.     

水氮互作对拔节期黍稷根系生理特性的影响

盆栽试验条件下,以‘5283黄’和‘晋黍5号’为试验材料,采用3个水分水平×3个氮肥水平,研究水氮互作对拔节期黍稷根系生理特性的影响。结果显示:(1)水分条件相同时,施氮均使黍稷根重、总根长、总表面积增加,根冠比则下降;施肥量相同时,适量灌水也相应促进了黍稷根系以上各形态指标上升,根冠比则下降。(2)水分胁迫下适量增施氮肥均能够在一定程度上使黍稷根系中游离脯氨酸、可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白含量下降,黍稷根系SOD活性和POD活性均降低,降低了黍稷根系膜脂过氧化程度,减轻了水肥胁迫对黍稷根系的伤害,但各指标下降幅度因不同水分和肥力条件及品种不同而存在明显差异。(3)‘5283黄’在重度干旱胁迫及缺氮条件下根系的渗透调节能力和抗氧化酶活性均强于‘晋黍5号’。研究表明,合理的水肥互作处理可以有效诱导黍稷根系渗透调节能力和保护酶系统活性增强,减轻逆境胁迫的伤害,提高其抗旱和耐瘠薄能力。     

Plant extracts abated pathogenic Fusarium species of millet seedlings

Millet is an important crop threatened by soil-borne pathogenic fungi worldwide, but the position of these soil-borne fungi most especially Fusarium has not been evaluated in south-western Nigeria alongside their biocontrol using plant extracts. This study investigates the effects (in vitro and in vivo) of Moringa oleifera, Manihot esculenta (peels) and Senna alata at 5, 10 and 15% g/ml concentrations on Fusarium anthophilum, Fusarium verticillioides, Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium scirpi. The in vivo experimental layout was arranged in a completely randomised design and all obtained data, both in vitro and in vivo, were statistically analysed using Minitab version 15. The extract of Moringa oleifera, Manihot esculenta (peels) and S. alata at 5, 10 and 15% g/ml concentrations showed significant (p?<?0.05) antagonistic effect in vitro and in vivo on F. anthophilum, F. verticillioides and F. oxysporum. Moringa oleifera and S. alata at 5 and 10% g/ml significantly (p?<?0.05) reduced the disease incidence and disease severity of F. scirpi on millet seedlings. Thus, Moringa oleifera appears to be the most effective extract followed by Manihot esculenta, while S. alata was the least effective plant extract. Hence, the effectiveness of plant extracts on pathogenic Fusarium of millet justified their management strategy geared towards sustainable millet growth in Nigeria.     

Evaluation of plant growth-promoting Rhizobacteria for their efficiency to promote growth and induce systemic resistance in pearl millet against downy mildew disease

Six strains of Plant growth promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) were tested for their ability to promote growth and induce resistance in pearl millet against downy mildew disease. All the PGRP strains showed a significant (P < 0.01) increase in growth promotion in laboratory as well as greenhouse conditions. Only two strains of Pseudomonas spp., UOM ISR 17 and UOM ISR 23, were capable of protecting pearl millet against downy mildew significantly. Pseudomonas UOM ISR 17 and UOM ISR 23 were able to offer 56.3 and 47.5%, respectively against downy mildew disease. When tested for the time gap needed to offer maximum protection, it was found that both the strains needed four days to offer maximum protection of 73.3% and 59.7%, respectively. While both the Acetobacter strains UOM Ab9 and Ab11 and Azospirillum strain UOM Az3 were able to promote growth and offered disease protection of 39.2, 22.3 and 17.40% respectively, they were not as efficient as the two Pseudomonas strains in protecting pearl millet against downy mildew. Maximum growth promotion was recorded by Pseudomonas spp. UOM ISR 17 with 33.9 cm height which was 44, 45, 42 and 46.8% more in height, fresh weight, dry weight and leaf area over the control which recorded 27 cm height, 8.1 g fresh weight, 2.1 g dry weight and 29 cm² leaf area, respectively.     

Effect of fertilizer levels on grain yield,incidence and severity of downy mildew in pearl millet

The effect of various levels of nitrogen (0.0, 30.0, 60.0, 120.0) and phosphorus (0.0, 6.5, 13.0, 36.0) on the incidence and severity of downy mildew of pearl millet and yield of two pearl millet varieties (Zango and GB8375) were studied under field conditions in 2000 and 2001 respectively. Both nitrogen and phosphorus significantly increased incidence and severity of the disease in the two varieties. Grain yield and 1000 grain weight of the varieties also increased with nitrogen and phosphorus levels.     

Cost-effectiveness of seed dressing with a new formulation of metalaxyl (Apron Star 42 WS) for sustainable pearl millet production in Northern Nigeria

A new metalaxyl formulation (Apron Star 42 WS) was evaluated for seed dressing of pearl millet at two locations, namely, Gashua (Sahel) and Maiduguri (Sudan Savanna) in Nigeria, 1998–2000. Data were obtained on seedling establishment, incidence of downy mildew, grain yield, cost of production and selling price of grain at the farm gates (farm sites). Results showed that seed dressing with Apron Star 42 WS significantly enhanced seedling establishment by 29.3, 47.1 and 37.1% in 1998, 1999 and 2000 respectively at Gashua; 20.2, 40.6 and 48.8% for the same years in Maiduguri; reduced the incidence of downy mildew by 72.2, 94.2 and 67.9% in 1998, 1999 and 2000 respectively at Gashua; 81.3, 81.4 and 88.0% for the same years in Maiduguri; and increased grain yield significantly above check. Further, there was higher monetary benefit from grain yield even at the minimum-selling price of the commodity at the farm gates by dressing planting seed each year. The percentage profits above check were 64.5–865.7% (Gashua) and 43.8–2487.7% (Maiduguri). It is concluded that the use of Apron Star 42 WS for seed dressing is cost-effective and sustainable for millet production in the downy mildew endemic areas of northern Nigeria.     

Toxic and repellent properties of Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Richard on Tribolium castaneum Herbst infesting stored millets,Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.

The toxicity and repellency of Xylopia aethiopica seed extract was investigated in the laboratory against Tribolium castaneum Herbst. Concentration and days after treatment (DAT) caused a significant increase in T. castaneum adult mortality with an interaction effect of both on mortality when filter paper was impregnated with X. aethiopica extract. At 0.2 ml/60 cm² extract, significant mortality was observed at three–seven DAT when compared with one DAT. At 0.4 ml/60cm², 100% mortality was recorded at the lowest exposure period of one DAT. When 0.2 ml extract was applied to 5 g millet seeds, mortality at five–seven DAT was significantly higher than mortality observed in the control. Although repellency was dose-dependent, the percentage of T. castaneum that were repelled from treated filter paper was not significant. At 0.4 ml/60 cm², Class II repellency (26.7%) was observed. The results suggest that X. aethiopica can only effectively control T. castaneum populations that have infested millet but do not prevent cross-infestation via repellency.