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ARS Home » Plains Area » Manhattan, Kansas » Center for Grain and Animal Health Research » Grain Quality and Structure Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #336140
Research Project: Impact of the Environment on Sorghum Grain Composition and Quality Traits

Location: Grain Quality and Structure Research

Title: Structure and chemistry of the sorghum grain

Author
item Bean, Scott
item Ioerger, Brian
item Wilson, Jeff
item Tilley, Michael - Mike
item Rhodes, Davina
item Herald, Thomas

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/3/2017
Publication Date: 4/16/2018
Citation: Bean, S.R., Ioerger, B.P., Wilson, J.D., Tilley, M., Rhodes, D.H., Herald, T.J. 2018. Structure and chemistry of the sorghum grain. Book Chapter. p. 1-260.

Interpretive Summary: Sorghum is grown around the world and often under harsh and variable environmental conditions. Combined with the high degree of genetic diversity present in sorghum, this can result in substantial variability in grain composition and grain quality. While similar to other cereal grains such as maize and the millets in some aspects, sorghum has many unique compositional traits which impact grain quality and utilization. This chapter reviews the physical structure of the sorghum grain as well as the composition of starch, proteins, lipids, phenolic compounds, vitamins and minerals. Ultimately grain composition is the result of complex interactions between plant genetics, the environment and crop management practices. Thus this chapter also includes a summary of research showing how various factors can impact sorghum grain composition.

Technical Abstract: Sorghum is grown around the world and often under harsh and variable environmental conditions. Combined with the high degree of genetic diversity present in sorghum, this can result in substantial variability in grain composition and grain quality. While similar to other cereal grains such as maize and the millets in some aspects, sorghum has many unique compositional traits which impact grain quality and utilization. This chapter reviews the physical structure of the sorghum grain as well as the composition of starch, proteins, lipids, phenolic compounds, vitamins and minerals. Ultimately grain composition is the result of complex interactions between plant genetics, the environment and crop management practices. Thus this chapter also includes a summary of research showing how various factors can impact sorghum grain composition.