Phenolics in finger millet (FM) grain, including tannins, may impact significantly on its antimicrobial properties, functionality and health-promoting potential. Unfortunately, the location of tannins in the grain is unknown and there is limited information on the influence of variety on grain phenolic composition and antioxidant activity (AA). The effect of phenolics in FM grain on its malt fungal load and on the functional quality of its food products, including baked goods, is barely known. Twenty two FM grain types of varied visual kernel colour were analysed to determine the influence of grain type on phenolic composition, AA, and tannin localisation in the grain. Condensed tannins, anthocyanins and flavan-4-ols were detected. Light coloured grain types had no tannins and had much lower total phenolics (TP) relative to the pigmented types, and types that stained black with the Bleach test had much higher tannin content and much higher AA. The grains that stained black with the Bleach test and had high tannin content (0.60 to 2.08 mg catechin eqivalents/100 mg, db) had a dark coloured testa layer, indicating that the tannins were located in that layer. The results indicate that occurrence of tannins in FM is a varietal property and the tannins are predominantly responsible for the AA of the grain. Germinative energy (GE), enzymic activity, and total fungal count [TFC], and infection levels of 12 FM grain types of varied phenolic content were measured to determine the impact of phenolics in FM grain on its malt quality. The malt quality of high-phenol FM types was much higher than that of the low-phenol types, with respect to enzymic activity. TFC was negatively correlated with grain total phenolics (TP) and amount of phenolic type (APT) and there were some negative correlations between fungal species infection levels and TP and APT (p<0.05). GE and enzymic activity were positively correlated with TP and APT (p<0.05) and negatively correlated with TFC (p<0.01). The data indicate that phenolics in FM grain impact positively on its malt quality by contributing to its antifungal activity. Cookies in which wheat cake flour was substituted with 15, 35 and 55% (w/w) of either a non-tannin or a high-tannin FM flour were analysed to assess the impact of FM phenolics on cookie quality and AA (health-promoting potential). FM-substituted cookies, particularly those with high levels of the high-tannin FM, were inferior to cake flour cookies (control), with respect to spread, texture and integrity and their dark colour decreased their acceptance by a consumer panel. However, the acceptability of cookies containing up to 35% of either FM type was similar to that of control cookies. Cookies containing the high-tannin FM had antioxidant activities that were similar to or higher than the antioxidant activities of several plant products on the market. Thus, potentially health-promoting cookies can be made by substituting up to approximately 35% wheat with a high-tannin FM. The study indicates that high-phenol FM grain types have good malt quality, which is partly due to the antifungal activity of their phenolics. Although FM phenolics, particularly tannins, seem to affect cookie quality negatively, they contribute significantly to their health-promoting potential. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Food Science / unrestricted

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・論文博士 / 博士(農学) / 乙第13360号 / 論農博第2891号 / 新制||農||1080(附属図書館) / 学位論文||R2||N5299(農学部図書室) / (主査)教授 中﨑 鉄也, 教授 白岩 立彦, 教授 土井 元章 / 学位規則第4条第2項該当 / Doctor of Agricultural Science / Kyoto University / DGAM

Pearl millet is a staple food source for millions of African families living in semi-arid regions of the continent. Yet, despite its importance and ability to provide consistent yields, very little research and resources have been directed towards understanding mechanisms governing this crop’s resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses. The research outlined in this thesis therefore aimed to elucidate defence response mechanisms in pearl millet, a non-model cereal crop. This was accomplished through the construction and characterisation of a pearl millet defence response cDNA library, which was subsequently utilised in large scale gene expression studies to profile pearl millet’s response to the defence signalling compounds nitric oxide (NO), methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and salicylic acid (SA), and to the biotrophic rust fungus Puccinia substriata var. indica. A pearl millet cDNA library was constructed by treating pearl millet plants with the defence elicitors chitin and flagellin, and by wounding the plants. Suppression subtractive hybridisation (SSH) was employed to enrich the library for defence response transcripts. In order to characterise the cDNA libraries, a quantitative cDNA microarray-based screening method was developed that enabled identification of false positive transcripts, as well as clones that represented rare or abundant transcripts. Based on this screening method, a number of clones were selected for sequence analysis, and their identity ascertained through homology searches with previously sequenced genes. This revealed a number of genes known to play important roles during pathogen attack. The pearl millet SSH defence response library, consisting of 1920 cDNAs either up- or down regulated in defence response, was spotted onto a glass slide microarray and used in transcript profiling studies to examine pearl millet’s response to the defence signalling molecules NO, MeJA and SA. Whilst only 45 cDNAs responded significantly to NO treatment, 279 and 224 cDNAs responded to MeJA and SA sprays, respectively. Closer examination of MeJA and SA responsive genes revealed that many of the induced transcripts were common to both signalling pathways, demonstrating that a substantial network of regulatory interactions exists between the salicylate and jasmonate pathways, which were previously believed to act in an antagonistic manner. Pathology studies indicated that pretreatment of pearl millet with SA conferred resistance to a virulent isolate of P. substriata var. indica, whereas MeJA application did not significantly reduce subsequent infection levels. Transcript profiling of a susceptible pearl millet line in response to virulent rust infection revealed that genes common to both the jasmonate and salicylate pathways were induced, suggesting that the plant adopts elements from a number of defence signalling pathways in an attempt to ward off infection by the virulent rust fungus. However, in view of results obtained from pearl millet defence signalling molecule pretreatments, it is probably genes that are significantly induced in response to SA, but to a lesser extent by MeJA that actually confer resistance to an avirulent rust isolate. Treatment of pearl millet plants with an avirulent P. substriata strain and subsequent microarray analysis would answer this hypothesis by revealing whether an incompatible reaction elicits more elements of the salicylate defence response pathway. / Thesis (PhD (Botany))--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Plant Science / unrestricted

Agricultural production is the main source of income and major employer in many countries in Africa, including Senegal. Commercial sweet corn (Zea mays L. ssp. saccharata) production in Senegal is increasing in response to global marketing opportunities and offers producers the ability to increase income and diversify the cropping base. Production of optimum sweet corn yield and quality depends on adequate nutrient supply, particularly, nitrogen (N). Current N recommendations are based on recommendations specific to corn for grain. This study aimed to identify tools to estimate sweet corn N status and determine the most appropriate fertilizer dosage for sweet corn. Non-destructive remote sensing tools and ion exchange resin membranes (IEMs) were used to evaluate the effect of fertilizer dose. No differences in ear yield or yield components, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) values, biomass, N uptake or leaf N concentration due to fertilizer dose were detected at Ndiol. However, significant relationships existed between NDVI values and yield, biomass, and N uptake at the V9 growth stage. Only yield was affected by fertilizer dose at Sangalkam, and no consistent relationships were found between chlorophyll meter readings and others measured parameters. Treatment differences due to fertilizer dose for available NH4+ at V9 (Ndiol), and NO3- at V5 (Sangalkam) were found, however further research is needed to fully evaluate the usefulness of IEMs to measure available soil N. Based on these studies, sweet corn fertilizer rates should likely be based on 75% of the dose applied to field corn, however more work is needed to confirm this finding. Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L) R. Br.) is the most widely grown staple crop in Senegal. Introduction of drought tolerant millet genotypes has helped mitigate the effect of increased water shortage in the region, but little is known about the nutritional composition of these genotypes. Our objective was to compare millet grain nutritional composition among and between putative drought tolerant and drought sensitive pearl millet lines under drought stress and well-watered conditions. One field experiment was conducted in 2014 at the National Center for Agronomic Research (CNRA) of Bambey, Senegal (16°30' and 16° 28' N; 15o44' and 15o42' W). The experiment utilized a split-plot design with four replications. Water regime was the main plot experimental factor while genotype, a total of 20 was the sub-plot. Pearl millet genotypes were divided into three contrasting groups based on drought tolerance for comparisons. Water stress did not affect 100-grain weight, test weight, protein, soluble protein, starch, sugars, amino acids or vitamin B2 content of grains among VPD-groups. Accumulation of these constituents of pearl millet grain appear to be genetically controlled and are probably not affected by late drought stress. However, differences were noted among genotypes as the sensitive VPD-group accumulated greater soluble protein, starch and soluble sugars (except sucrose) than the tolerant and medium VPD-groups. The tolerant VPD-group, however, accumulated greater protein and vitamin B2 content. Arginine, proline and serine content was greater in the sensitive VPD-group, while lysine, aspartic acid, and glutamic acid were greater in the tolerant VPD-group. Glycine, histidine, threonine, alanine, tyrosine, valine, methionine, leucine, isoleucine, and phenylalanine were relatively equal in tolerant and sensitive VPD-groups. Calcium and Na levels were affected by water stress in the sensitive VPD-group, but differently. Calcium content was greatest for the sensitive group under drought stress, while sodium was the lowest. Iron accumulation in sensitive VPD-group increased under water stress. Potassium decreased for all VPD-groups under stress, while across water regime, K levels in the drought-sensitive group were lower. Selection for drought appears to effect many of the nutritional constituents of pearl millet grain, however many of these differences appear to be directly related to parameters known to effect plant water relations. / Master of Science

Situated on the western edge of Africa's harsh Sahel region, Senegal faces a number of agricultural production constraints. Limited rainfall, poor soil fertility, and insufficient agronomic inputs all contribute to low yielding millet production systems. This study was initiated to assess the potential for intercropping either cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) or mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) into traditional pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) cropping systems. During the 2013 and 2014 growing seasons two varieties of cowpea (upright and viney), and one variety of mungbean (upright) were grown in monoculture and subsequently intercropped with millet to evaluate the potential for increasing millet and overall yields. Millet was also planted with a mulch (2 t/ha of neem leaves) to test the effectiveness of increased ground cover on millet yields. In addition to yield data, soil moisture and plant NDVI data were also collected. Millet grain yields increased when intercropped with either cowpea or mungbean compared to millet that was grown alone, with grain yield increases of up to 55%. Additionally, the combined grain yields (millet + bean) were up to 67% higher than the traditional monoculture millet. The addition of mulch was the most effective treatment and increased millet grain yields up to 70%. Soil moisture increased up to 14% in mulched treatments over millet monoculture treatments. All yield increases were achieved without the addition of fertilizers or nutrient amendments. In an attempt to mimic local practices our experiment was rainfed and no soil amendments were introduced. / Master of Science

The primary soil limitations to crop yield in the Senegalese "Peanut Basin" include salinity, acidity, and fertility. Crop yield may be increased by use of soil amendments and salt-tolerant cultivars. Objectives of this research were to evaluate salt tolerance of various millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.) cultivars and compare effects of soil amendments on millet growth and yield in greenhouse and field studies. The research included two greenhouse experiments (i) comparing the salt tolerance of seven pearl millet cultivars (IBMV 8402, SOSAT C88, ICMV-IS 88102, IKMP1, IKMP2, IKMV 8201 and GAWANE) using five levels of electrical conductivity (0.3. 2.1, 4.2, 5.2 and 6.3 dS m-1) and (ii) assessing SOSAT C88 responses to various organic (compost and peanut shells) and inorganic (phosphogypsum; PG) amendments in manufactured saline soils (4.2 dSm-1); and (iii) a two-year (2014-2015) field experiment in Senegal evaluating the effects of local organic amendments (peanut shells and compost) on the responses of three millet cultivars (SOSAT C88, GAWANE and IBMV 8402) under low and high soil salinity. Cultivars SOSAT C88 and IBMV 8402 performed best in saline greenhouse media. The soil amendments that elicited the best millet plant responses in the greenhouse experiment were yard waste compost and peanut shells. Phosphogypsum exacerbated salinity effects by increasing electrical conductivity. In the field study, there were no differences among treatments. Cultivars IBMV 8402 and SOSAT C88 could be cultivated in saline soils amended with peanut shells. / Master of Science

Starting from the overall Revitalizing Small Millets in South Asia (RESMISA) project objective and question, how to increase millet production and consumption, I will use the same to enter Chintaguda and understand how that can be accomplished in the village. As millets do not occupy a significant aspect of the lives of people in Chintaguda, I essentially sought to understand the general decision-making logics that operate therein. This objective will help me understand which factors and their interactions influence activities around socio-ecological engagements. I aim to devise a framework to comprehend these logics and the complexities found in Chintaguda by using social theories. These will help me stitch together a narrative for Chintaguda that will contextualize the people’s relationship to millets. This study will show the various ways people can and do relate to millets. / February 2016

Ces travaux d'archéométrie concernent l’étude moléculaire par GC-MS de marqueurs lipidiques (biomarqueurs) préservés au sein de sols archéologiques et de substances végétales impliquées en tant qu'ingrédients dans la confection d’artefacts. Des analyses complémentaires en isotopie du carbone de composés individuels et des mesures de datation au 14C (AMS MICADAS) de la matière organique totale des sols, d'extraits lipidiques et d'un composé individuel (miliacine) ont également été effectuées. Cette approche a permis:- de montrer l’existence de la culture de millet dès l’âge du Bronze en Alsace, les sols associés à cette culture et leur contenu organique ayant été piégés et préservés dans des silos à grains enterrés datés de l’âge du Fer.- d'identifier la nature de structures archéologiques comme étant d'anciennes latrines et une aire de stabulation de bétail via l'identification de stéroïdes fécaux.- d'établir des critères chimiotaxonomiques fiables basés sur l'analyse des lipides pour l’authentification de résines de styrax et de liquidambars.- d'identifier la nature d'une résine issue de Styrax officinalis ayant été incorporée dans l’enduit organique ornant un crâne décoré (IXème millénaire av. J.-C., site de Nahal Hemar, Israël).- de mettre en évidence l’emploi de brai de bouleau comme agent collant lors de la confection d’un bijou daté du Premier âge du Fer. / In this archaeometric study, lipid biomarkers from archaeological soils and organic substances originating from plants found on artefacts were investigated by GC-MS. In addition, the stable carbon isotopic composition of individual lipids and the 14C age (AMS MICADAS) of soil organic matter, lipid extracts and one isolated compound (miliacin) were determined. Such an archaeometric approach allowed:- the existence of a millet cultivation during the Bronze Age in Alsace to be unveiled for the first time based on preserved molecular remains of this cereal in agricultural soils trapped within grain silos dated from the Iron Age.- the function of uncharacterized archaeological structures to be identified as ancient latrines and a stall area based on the identification of faecal steroidal markers.- reliable chemotaxonomic criteria for the authentication of styrax resins and liquidambar gums to be established using specific organic markers (triterpenoids, notably).- the vegetal component of an organic coating decorating a skull from the 9th millennium BC (Nahal Hemar site, Israel) to be identified as a resin from Styrax officinalis.- the use of birch bark tar as adhesive for the making of a jewellery dated from the Iron Age to be discovered.

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1985 G677 / Master of Science

4 pp. / Summer cover crops can add nitrogen to the soil, build up and maintain soil organic matter, suppress pest populations, mitigate soil erosion, and reduce nutrient leaching when they are used in Arizona vegetable systems. However, careful management is required since cover crops can modify the availability of soil nitrogen and other critical nutrients. The ratio between carbon to nitrogen (C:N) in decomposing cover crop biomass is a critical indicator of the overall process of breakdown and eventual release of nutrients. This article introduces five cover crops that could improve vegetable systems in Arizona. The mixtures of a legume and a non-legume cover crop species can also be planted to obtain desired C:N ratios to optimize the benefits of cover crops.