Characterisation of grain quality in diverse sorghum germplasm using a Rapid Visco-Analyzer and near infrared reflectance spectroscopy.

Background: Twenty-two diverse sorghum landraces, classified as normal and opaque types obtained from Ethiopia, were characterised for grain quality parameters using near infra-red spectroscopy (NIRS), chemical and Rapid Visco-Analyzer (RVA) characteristics.

Results: Protein content ranged from 77 to 182 g kg(-1), and starch content from 514 to 745 g kg(-1). The NIRS analysis indicated the pig faecal digestible energy range from 14.

Ethnobotany, diverse food uses, claimed health benefits and implications on conservation of barley landraces in North Eastern Ethiopia highlands.

Background: Barley is the number one food crop in the highland parts of North Eastern Ethiopia produced by subsistence farmers grown as landraces. Information on the ethnobotany, food utilization and maintenance of barley landraces is valuable to design and plan germplasm conservation strategies as well as to improve food utilization of barley.

Methods: A study, involving field visits and household interviews, was conducted in three administrative zones.