Studies on Biochemical Properties of Potential Sorghum Lines in Rabi Season for Micronutrient Densification

Millets are the most important and nutrient rich food preferred by most of the people for their daily consumption. However, these millets if enriched with nutrients will eradicate the problem of hidden hunger i.e. malnutrition prevalent in the weaker sections of the society. Sorghum, the King of Millets which is rich in starch, protein, fibres, etc and have efficient amount of Zinc and Iron bioavailability. However, sorghum biofortification would provide a sustainable solution to iron and zinc densification in sorghum. The present study was undertaken to study the ten potential sorghum lines for their biochemical properties such as protein, carbohydrates and proline along with the micronutrients such as iron and zinc at Sorghum Research Station, Dr. PDKV, Akola during rabi season 2023-24. In the present investigation, it was observed that, highest and lowest protein content was recorded by the line CSV-29R (8.98%) and PKV Kranti (6.33%), respectively. The highest and lowest carbohydrate content was recorded in the line Parbhani Shakti (86.19 g/100g) and CSV-29R (49.23 g/100g), respectively. The highest and lowest proline content was recorded by the line CSV-22R (1 g/100g) and Parbhani Shakti (0.5 g/100g), respectively. From the correlation studies it was observed that, carbohydrates had significantly positive correlation with iron content (r=0.663*) whereas, had positive correlation with zinc content (r=0.286). On the other hand, negative correlation was observed between protein content and micronutrients.