title: Effect of nitrogen fertilization and cover cropping systems on sorghum grain characteristics.
abstract: Cover crop treatments and nitrogen (N) fertilization rates were investigated for their impact on sorghum grain quality attributes. Sorghum was planted in field plots treated with differing cover cropping systems and fertilization rates. The size (weight and diameter) and hardness of the kernels were influenced by both the cover crop and N rates. The protein content increased as the N rate increased and also with the addition of cover crops to the system. The protein digestibility values and starch granule size distributions were not affected by N rate or the cover cropping treatments. Soil properties were tested to determine relationships with grain quality attributes. The utilization of cover crops appears to increase the protein content without causing a deleterious effect on protein digestibility. The end-product quality is not hampered by the use of beneficial cropping systems necessary for sustainable agriculture.
authors.affiliation: USDA-ARS Center for Grain and Animal Health Research , 1515 College Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502-2736, United States.
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Kaufman
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Bean
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Presley
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Blanco-Canqui
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mikha
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture / Q000379:methods*; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D004063:Digestion; D005308:Fertilizers; D063427:Food Quality; D007615:Kansas; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D017672:Nitrogen Compounds / Q000378:metabolism*; D055314:Seed Storage Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry; D045868:Sorghum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D013213:Starch / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004044:Dietary Proteins; D005308:Fertilizers; D017672:Nitrogen Compounds; D055314:Seed Storage Proteins; D012987:Soil; D013213:Starch