Genetic diversity for agromorphological traits, phytochemical profile, and antioxidant activity in Moroccan sorghum ecotypes

Abstract

Sorghum, the fifth most important cereal crop, is a well-adapted cereal to arid/semi-arid regions. Sorghum is known for multiple end-uses as food, feed, fuel, forage, and as source of bioactive compounds that could be used for medical applications. Although the great improvement in the process of sorghum breeding, the average yield of this crop is still very low. Therefore, exploring the genetic diversity in sorghum accessions is a critical step for improving this crop. The main objective of the current work was to study the genetic variation existing in a Moroccan sorghum collection. Indeed, 10 sorghum ecotypes were characterized based on agromorphological descriptors. Both quantitative (25) and qualitative (7) traits revealed variability (p < 0.05) among the studied ecotypes. At the seedling stage, most of the ecotypes showed good to high vigor (70%). However, as the sorghum plants grow, the difference between genotypes become more apparent, especially at the generative phase. For instance, three different panicle shapes have been observed, erect (50%), semi-bent (30%), and bent (20%) with different degree of compactness (20% for loose, semi-compact, and compact panicles, and 30% for semi-loose panicles). In another part of this study, the phytochemical composition and antioxidant activities of the sorghum ecotypes have been determined. The results showed variable total phenolic contents, and total flavonoid contents ranging from 125.86 ± 1.36 to 314.91 ± 3.60 mg GAE/g dw and 114.0 ± 13.2 to 138.5 ± 10.8 (mg catechin equivalent/100 g, dw) respectively, with a differential antioxidant activities as well. These results indicate that for any crop breeding program, it is preferable to take into consideration both morphological and biochemical traits for a better selection of high yielding varieties with high added value compounds. Therefore, the implication of these results in the context of sorghum breeding activities could be a resourceful option for farmers.

Genetic diversity, morphological traits, quality traits and antioxidants potentiality of Coccinia grandis germplasm under rainfed semi-arid region

“…In line with our findings, the phenotypic correlation studies in cucumber showed that fruit yield plant −1 exhibited a positive and significant correlation with fruits plant −1 , fruit length, fruit weight, fruit width, branches plant −1 and plant height 10 . Many researchers reported in earlier findings that leaves are important trait for plants photosynthetic performance, architecture and yield potential, thus, a good trait to be targeted for breeding programme for development and selection of targeted trait variety 12 . The characters like showed high positive correlation both in phenotypic as well as genotypic level, which indicating that there was simultaneous selection for these characters might bring an improvement in fruit yield of plant.…”

“…Variability for morphological and qualitative traits including antioxidants among C. grandis germplasm are frequently used in breeding programs for developing cultivars with consumer liking is a prerequisite to efficiently manage and utilize germplasm. The PCA and clustering analysis of morphological characterization are relatively inexpensive and easy to carry out for conservation of genetic resources, identification of characters amenable to genetic improvement and selection of high yielding genotypes 12 . The success of good breeding and selection of promising germplasm depends on the genetic variability present in the germplasm population and the variation in the population helps to identify suitable germplasm for vital traits and conserve and classify genetic variation in the plant germplasm.…”

Glucosinolates: Structure, classification, biosynthesis and functions in higher plants

“…To produce crops with a greater amount of desirable compounds, several strategies can be followed. The first is to select species, genotypes, or cultivars that contain a genetically determined higher level of phytochemicals (Bouargalne et al, 2022;Zhan et al, 2022). The second is to manipulate the growth factors and environmental conditions for plant cultivation (Trejo-Téllez et al, 2019;Šamec et al, 2021).…”

Ecological, morpho-agronomical, and bromatological assessment of sorghum ecotypes in Northern Morocco

“…Due to climate change with more prolonged drought periods, the decrease in water supply, and the increasing world population, this drought-resistant crop, like other available local feed alternatives 10 , could quickly become crucial and see its global use increase. Previous studies emphasized the agro-morphological and genetical diversity of some Moroccan ecotypes 7 , 11 , 12 . However, no studies assessed the nutritive value as feed on these ecotypes.…”