Digitaria exilis

Last updated

Digitaria exilis
SEN Village Chief Theodore.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Subfamily: Panicoideae
Genus: Digitaria
Species:
D. exilis
Binomial name
Digitaria exilis
(Kippist) Stapf
Synonyms [1]
  • Panicum exile(Kippist) A.Chev. nom. illeg.
  • Paspalum exileKippist
  • Syntherisma exile(Kippist) Newbold

Digitaria exilis, referred to as findi or fundi [2] in areas of Africa, such as The Gambia, [a] [4] with English common names white fonio , fonio millet, and hungry rice or acha rice, [5] is a grass species. It is the most important of a diverse group of wild and domesticated Digitaria species known as fonio that are harvested in the savannas of West Africa. The grains are very small. It has potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, [6] foster rural development and support sustainable use of the land. Despite its valuable characteristics and widespread cultivation, fonio has generally received limited research and development attention, which is also why the species is sometimes referred to as an underutilized crop. [7]

Contents

The name (borrowed by English from French) is from Wolof foño. [8]

Fonio has continued to be important locally because it is both nutritious and one of the world's fastest growing cereals, reaching maturity in as little as six to eight weeks. It is a crop that can be relied on in semi-arid areas with poor soils, where rains are brief and unreliable. The grains are used in porridge and couscous, for bread, and for beer.

The small grains make it difficult and time-consuming to remove the husk. Traditional methods include pounding it in a mortar with sand (then separating the grains and sand) or "popping" it over a flame and then pounding it (which yields a toasted color grain; this technique is used among the Akposso). The invention of a simple fonio husking machine offers an easier mechanical way to dehusk.

The genetic diversity of Digitaria exilis varies from region to region in Africa. For example, not much genetic diversity was detected among the domesticated Digitaria exilis landraces from Mali. [9] In contrast, large levels of genetic diversity were detected among the domesticated Digitaria exilis landraces of the Upper Niger River Basin of West Africa. [10] The many different landraces of Digitaria exilis are affected differently by the various processing methods. [11]

The European Commission with the EU Regulation L 323/1 of December 19, 2018 approved the commercialization in Europe of Fonio as Novel Food, upon the scientific dossier managed and submitted by “the applicant” Italian company Obà Food. [12] [13]

Description

The fonio is an annual, erect herbaceous plant which reaches stature heights from 30 to 80 centimeters. The ears consist of two to five narrow part ears, which are up to 15 centimeters long. The spikelets comprise a sterile flower and a fertile flower, the latter of which gives rise to the fonio grain. The grain is a caryopsis, which remains surrounded by glumes and husks. Its size is very small, only 1.5 mm (around 2000 seeds to 1 gram). The colour ranges from white, yellow and purple.

Fonio matures faster than all other cereals. Some varieties can already be harvested 42–56 days after sowing. Others ripen more slowly, usually in 165–180 days. [14]

Varieties

Identified varieties of Digitaria exilis are: [15]

Origin and regions of cultivation

Fonio is one of the ancient African crops, possibly the oldest West African crop as its cultivation seems to have started about 7,000 years ago. [16] The first references to Fonio as food are reported from the mid-14th century. [14] D. exilis was originally derived from the wild species D. longiflora . [2]

Significant cultivation is in West Africa from Chad to Cape Verde, south Mali, in western Burkina Faso, eastern Senegal, northern Guinea, north Benin, parts of north central Nigeria such as northern Plateau State, Southern Kaduna, parts of Niger State, Abuja (FCT), Zuru area of Kebbi State, some parts of Nasarawa State and Kogi State, as well as parts of Bauchi State. It is also found in south Niger, where the plant supplies the staple food for several million people. In some regions of Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea and Nigeria, fonio is the most important or one of the main cereals. White fonio has its main growing region in the highland plateaus of Nigeria, where it is popularly called acha. The second fonio species, iburu or black fonio, is limited to the Jos-Bauchi Plateau in Nigeria and the northern regions of Togo and Benin. [14]

Fonio is grown in parts of the Dominican Republic, where it has already brought in 1500 from West Africa,[ clarification needed ] first only grown as a weed, but it is now cultivated again. [17]

Production and cultivation area (2013)
CountryProduction (tons)Area (hectares)
Guinea 429 000300 000
Nigeria 90 000165 000
Mali 22 00034 000
Burkina Faso 20 00025 000
Ivory Coast 17 00015 000
Niger 6 00011 000
Benin 1 3001 900
Senegal 1 0001 500
Guinea Bissau 700600
Total587 000554 000

Source: [18]

Yield

More than 550 000 ha of fonio are grown each year in West Africa and the production runs at 587 000 tons. Yields are relatively stable, the yield average is currently 1 ton per hectare (ha). In the peripheral regions the yields are less than 500 kilograms and drop when in very poor soils down to 150 to 200 kilograms. [14]

Climate and soil requirements

Fonio is cultivated in West Africa under tropical climate, with a pronounced dry season, temperatures between 25-30 °C and annual rainfalls of 600 to 1200 mm. Nevertheless, Fonio is also grown in higher altitude: over 1000 m, with higher annual rainfalls (1200 to 1500 mm) and colder temperatures (15-25°). Fonio has a well developed root system, which can reach more than one meter depth in the soil. This root system explains the good performance of the plant during the dry season and its adaptation to poor and low fertility soils. Fonio is mainly grown on sandy soils, but can also grow on rocky soils. It also thrives on acidic clay soils with a high aluminium content. On heavy soils, most varieties thrive badly. This crop is low demanding and can cope with unfavourable climate and soil conditions. [14]

Field management

Throughout Africa, most of the work is done by hand. [14]

Before sowing

The main tasks to do before sowing are the cleaning of the field and ploughing. Sometimes animals are used for ploughing or a daba is utilized to do a superficial scratching. [14]

Sowing and upkeep

The sowing time starts with the first rainfalls. This can vary depending on the variety and the geographical area of cultivation. The grains used for sowing are the best grains kept from the precedent harvest and are sown by hand (broadcast seeding). Sometimes the seeds are mixed with sand to have a more homogenous repartition on the soil. The seeds remain on the surface, so successive harrowing by hand or with the daba is needed to bury them slightly in the soil. Normally 30–40 kg/ha of seeds are used, but sometimes more than 70 kg/ha are sown, in order to control weeds at time of emergence. For germination and emergence a temperature of 30 °C is optimal. The germination and growth is rapid, and for the upkeep of the crop only weeding is needed. [14]

Pests

Insect pests include: [19]

Harvest and post-harvest processing

Most of the harvesting is still done by hand. As soon as the grains reach maturity, usually in July or August, men cut the fonio with sickles while women and children gather it into sheaves. A motor-driven mower may be used to assist in this. The sheaves must be stored in a dry and well ventilated area to prevent mould formation. During the dry season, sheaves are piled to large stacks in the sun to completely dry them. Threshing is done manually as well. Tractor-driven threshers are rarely used due to higher costs and a higher loss of the small grains. Grains are stored loosely. Hulls must be removed before consumption as they are not digestible. This process is traditionally carried out by women using mortars. After the fifth hulling, the fonio is called "whitened". Adhering grit and sand is washed away with the help of gourds. This process requires a highly skilled woman and up to 10 liters of clean water per one kilogram of fonio. [14]

Industrial machinery has been developed to replace the traditional, labour-intensive process described above. It is possible to adapt rice threshing machines for use on fonio. Winnowing machines or rotational sieves may then be used to clean threshed seeds. CIRAD developed the GMBF hulling machine specifically for use on fonio. However, due to the high cost and performance of such machines, multiple villages must operate the machines together for the investment to be economically viable. [14] [20]

Digitaria exilis is a crop that has not been pursued for domestication worldwide, but has many qualities that make it a good crop candidate. Digitaria exilis is an annual [21] plant with a C4 metabolism and medium height. [22] It can be planted on its own or in the marginal land, among other crops. Farmers value how quickly Digitaria exilis matures. The crop reaches maturity in as little as six to eight weeks. [23]

Digitaria exilis is an important part of cooking in West Africa, traditionally used for porridges and steamed cooked foods. The species is known to have high levels of carbohydrate and protein. [24] These protein levels are seen with Digitaria exilis being rich in essential amino acids such as methionine compared to other cereals such as wheat, rice and maize. [25] These qualities show that Digitaria exilis could be a good food source, and that if the right characters are chosen, it could turn into a useful crop.

Digitaria exilis also has good sustainability qualities and can survive in difficult environments. After being exposed to washing and scarifying treatments, the crop maintained germination rates. Digitaria exilis has also germinated well in various soil types, such as sand and loam. [26] The crop requires little input and can survive on rain. It is adapted to marginal land: it does well in poor soil and is drought resistant. [27] All these characteristics make Digitaria exilis a potential good crop candidate.

Digitaria exilis can be harvested in a number of ways. Some farmers uproot them to get the seeds, but other methods may be more effective. Sickles are used to cut the part of the plant containing the seeds rather than destroying the whole plant. Threshing varies from region to region. Methods include beating the straw to extract the grain, or trampling the straw to extract the seeds. Afterwards the grains have to be dried, usually over the period of a few days. The crop has very small seeds surrounded by hard kernels, so its grains are ground into a fine powder before being used in cooking. [28]

On the other hand, Digitaria exilis has some implications for its ability to be a crop candidate. One thing the crop struggles with is in competing with weeds. Farmers are therefore required to remove weeds after sowing. Another issue is that after planting Digitaria exilis, the fields require time to recover soil nutrients. Usually the field has to left fallow for 1–2 years after harvest. [28] These are some of the qualities that need improvement and whose improvement can be achieved through artificial selection.

Digitaria exilis is the oldest native cereal crop in West Africa, first harvested around 5 millennia BC. Digitaria exilis is vital for food security in the region. [27] Farmers emphasize the crop's culinary value, its short growth cycle, high productivity and medium size. [29] However, due to a lack of harvesting and processing technology, it is difficult to maintain the crop's genetic diversity or establish large-scale production. [28] With that in mind, it is important to maintain and develop fonio for both producers and consumers. Digitaria exilis has many potential future uses in cooking or as technological feedstock so it is necessary to select for good kernel properties to develop it into a new crop for the world. [24]

Nutritional value of Digitaria exilis

Digitaria exilis holds high nutritional value to humans. [10] The nutritional value of hulled fonio is about 1470 kJ and for whitened fonio 1430 kJ per 100 gram. [14]

It contains methionine and cysteine, two amino acids that are important to human survival. [10] These two amino acids, however, are lacking in wheat, rice, maize, and other cereal crops. [10] Moving from the amino acid level to the macromolecule level, D. exilis, compared to other cereal crops, has greater protein, carbohydrate, and fiber content. [30] Digitaria exilis has more protein and fiber content than rice. [30] Additionally, D. exilis has more carbohydrate content than millet, sorghum, and maize. [30] Therefore, the nutritional benefit from D. exilis outweighs the nutritional benefits from other similar cereal crops.

Content of Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins and Minerals of Digitaria exilis compared to other cereals (% dry weight)

Nutritional value of D. exilis compared with other cereals
CarbohydratesLipidsProteinsMinerals
Hulled Fonio84-863.3- 3.89- 111- 1.1
Whitened Fonio89- 910.8- 1.07- 90.3- 0.6
Rice862.5101.4
Whitened Rice900.980.5

Source: [14]

Mineral content

D. exilis shows generally mineral contents that are in the range of other cereals (Table 1). However, it contains much more sulphur than other cereals. Furthermore, the sulphur concentrates primarily in the grain rather than the husk as with other cereals. [14] This leads to D. exilis containing twice as much methionine—a sulphur compound—as corn or millet, and three times as much as rice does. [14] Some of the minerals are concentrated in the husk, which is lost during the hulling process. [14] The remaining fatty acids in the hulled grain are mainly unsaturated fats like linoleic and oleic acid. [14] The most present saturated fat is palmitic acid. [14] It has been reported that Digitaria exilis is an optimal food for people having diabetic problems. . [31]

Mineral content of Digitaria exilis, hulled and whitened

Macro and Microelements of D. exilis
Hulled FonioWhitened Fonio
Macroelements

(In % dry weight)

Calcium (Ca)0.0220.01
Magnesium (Mg)0.130.01
Phosphorus (P)0.250.06
Potassium (K)0.170.02
Sulphur (S)0.160.16
Microelements

(ppm)

Copper (Cu)6.83.0
Iron (Fe)38.827.3
Manganese (Mn)21.64.9
Sodium (Na)72.358.5
Zinc (Zn)33.421.8

Source: [14]

Effect of processing on nutritional values of Digitaria exilis

There are several factors that can alter this pre-existing high nutritional content. One method that distorts the nutritional composition of D. exilis is the extensive processing required to bring it to an edible state. [9] During milling, the outer layers of its grains are removed, and these layers are where the nutrients are primarily located. [9] Therefore, with the loss of the outer layers of the grains, there is a loss in the nutrient content. [9] As a result, the iron, zinc, and phytate concentrations present in the edible form of D. exilis are reduced in abundance relative to their respective concentrations before processing. [9]

Digitaria exilis and gluten

Coeliac disease is an intolerance to wheat gluten, a prolamine, which can cause chronic small intestinal problems.[ citation needed ] Fonio is closer to sorghum and rice than to wheat, and therefore it does not contain the sequence of amino acids that cause this intolerance. [14]

Effect of agricultural practice on nutritional values of Digitaria exilis

Additionally, the nutrient content and yield of D. exilis can be affected by the soil nutrition present in the varying climatic conditions of West Africa, which is where D. exilis primarily grows. [32] Through experimentation, it was seen that the nitrogen concentration in the soil has the greatest effect on the nutrition and productivity of D. exilis. [32] When nitrogen was added to the soil in limited quantities with an excess of potassium and phosphorus, productivity of D. exilis increased by 22%. [32] Such significant results were not observed, however, when either potassium or phosphorus was added to the soil with excess nitrogen and phosphorus, or with excess nitrogen and potassium, respectively. [32] On the contrary, when nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium were added to the soil in equal and moderate quantities, the greatest amount of yield and nutrition was seen. [32] This overall trend is seen as a result of the low rainfall and poor soil conditions that D. exilis naturally grows in. [32]

Additionally, farmers evaluated D. exilis landraces on key agricultural characteristics. [33] These included ease of processing, productivity, grain size, and facility of harvesting among many others. [33] Based on the evaluations given by these farmers, it can be seen that the agronomic traits (traits that allow for a greater ease of growing to farmers) of D. exilis would be having a big and long stem, having a long panicle with many grains, and having a large grain size. [33] These traits allow for easier growing and harvesting by farmers.

From an evolutionary biology standpoint, information about the nutritional content of D. exilis, factors that modify its nutritional content, and its agronomically important traits can be of importance under artificial selection of D. exilis. The Digitaria exilis landraces that exhibit the greatest amount of nutrition and display the agriculturally important qualities can be further cultivated under improvement. [33] As a result, Digitaria exilis can serve as a perennial crop to provide the human species with food security in the future.

WWF and Knorr in a joint study, dated February 2019, name Digitaria exilis as one of the “50 future foods for healthier people and a healthier planet". [34] WWF and the multinational Unilever (Knorr) teamed up to launch a campaign to raise awareness of the 50 Future Foods which people should eat more of in order to help reduce the environmental impact of food productions and to improve human health – Digitaria exilis has been identified as one of those ingredients. [35]

Volatile compounds

One of the things that makes Digitaria exilis such a sought after grain is its chemical composition. Digitaria exilis is an important source of nutrition because it is rich in methionine, which is an amino acid that is vital to human health. Since Digitaria exilis was such an important part of people's nutrition, researchers wanted to find out what made it taste so good. Volatile compounds were used to determine what contributed to the flavor of Digitaria exilis. It was found that Digitaria exilis contains several amino acids that readily react with monosaccharides to form alkylpyrazines. There were three types of volatiles: those formed from starch degradation, those formed from reactions between starch and proteins, and those formed through lipid oxidation. [36]

Physicochemical properties

One of the things that makes Digitaria exilis unique is its physicochemical properties. The physicochemical properties of Digitaria exilis can differ depending on if its starch is natural or succinylated. The pH of succinylated Digitaria exilis is lower than that of natural Digitaria exilis. This could be because some of the molecules introduced by succinylation resembled those of acetylation. While succinylation does decrease the pH of starch, it can increase some of its properties such as bulk density and water absorption capacity. The difference in bulk density is caused by the particle size decreasing as the bulk density increases. Succinylation increases the water absorption capacity of the starch which indicates that it could be helpful in some food products such as dough. [37]

Chemical composition

Compared to starches like D. iburua and Eleusine coracana, Digitaria exilis has more branched molecules. This was an important finding because although it has more branched molecules, it has fewer chains than the other starches which is unusual chemically. Aside from these differences, most other chemical characteristics were very similar to rice which was not surprising because Digitaria exilis and rice are both starches of the A. crystalline type. [38] Additionally, the microstructure of Digitaria exilis was studied, and it was discovered that it is very similar to the grain millets. Researchers found that Digitaria exilis is most abundant in protein bodies and that most of the protein is located towards the center of the cell. The specific structure of Digitaria exilis was analyzed and it was found that it is surrounded by thin bracts and two glumes. The caryopsis, a type of fruit that contains a pericarp that is fused with a thin seed coat, of the Digitaria exilis contains several layers that serve the purpose of protecting the endosperm and embryonic tissues. [39]

The composition of fonio can differ depending on what part of the world you are in. The main differences are in the protein and fiber content. This information could be useful in giving people dietary advice if their diet is lacking a certain protein or fiber. [40]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ "also known at Findi, Fonio, Hungry rice, Fonio blanc and Petit mil is the dry seed of Digitaria exilis, a grass indigenous to West Africa" [3]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cereal</span> Grass that has edible grain

A cereal is a grass cultivated for its edible grain. Cereals are the world's largest crops, and are therefore staple foods. They include rice, wheat, rye, oats, barley, millet, and maize. Edible grains from other plant families, such as buckwheat and quinoa, are pseudocereals. Most cereals are annuals, producing one crop from each planting, though rice is sometimes grown as a perennial. Winter varieties are hardy enough to be planted in the autumn, becoming dormant in the winter, and harvested in spring or early summer; spring varieties are planted in spring and harvested in late summer. The term cereal is derived from the name of the Roman goddess of grain crops and fertility, Ceres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Millet</span> Group of grasses (food grain)

Millets are a highly varied group of small-seeded grasses, widely grown around the world as cereal crops or grains for fodder and human food. Most millets belong to the tribe Paniceae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Proso millet</span> Species of grass

Panicum miliaceum is a grain crop with many common names, including proso millet, broomcorn millet, common millet, hog millet, Kashfi millet, red millet, and white millet. Archaeobotanical evidence suggests millet was first domesticated about 10,000 BP in Northern China. Major cultivated areas include Northern China, Himachal Pradesh of India, Nepal, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, the Middle East, Turkey, Romania, and the Great Plains states of the United States. About 500,000 acres are grown each year. The crop is notable both for its extremely short lifecycle, with some varieties producing grain only 60 days after planting, and its low water requirements, producing grain more efficiently per unit of moisture than any other grain species tested. The name "proso millet" comes from the pan-Slavic general and generic name for millet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Finger millet</span> Species of grass

Finger millet is an annual herbaceous plant widely grown as a cereal crop in the arid and semiarid areas in Africa and Asia. It is a tetraploid and self-pollinating species probably evolved from its wild relative Eleusine africana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teff</span> Edible annual grass native to the Horn of Africa

Teff, also known as Eragrostis tef, Williams lovegrass, or annual bunch grass, is an annual grass, a species of lovegrass native to the Horn of Africa, notably to both Eritrea and Ethiopia. It is cultivated for its edible seeds, also known as teff. Teff was one of the earliest plants domesticated. It is one of the most important staple crops in Ethiopia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fonio</span> Species of cultivated grass

Fonio, also sometimes called findi or acha, is the term for two cultivated grasses in the genus Digitaria that are important crops in parts of West Africa. The nutritious food with a favorable taste is a vital food source in many rural areas, especially in the mountains of Fouta Djalon, Guinea, but it is also cultivated in Mali, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Senegal. The global fonio market was estimated at 721,400 tonnes in 2020. Guinea annually produces the most fonio in the world, accounting for over 75% of the world's production in 2019. The name fonio is from Wolof foño. In West Africa, the species black fonio (Digitaria iburua) and white fonio (Digitaria exilis) are cultivated; the latter is the economically more important crop.

<i>Vigna subterranea</i> Species of plant

Vigna subterranea is a member of the family Fabaceae. Its name is derived from the Bambara ethnic group. The plant originated in West Africa. As a food and source of income, the Bambara groundnut is considered to be the third most important leguminous crop in those African countries where it is grown, after peanut and cowpea. The crop is mainly cultivated, sold and processed by women, and is, thus, particularly valuable for female subsistence farmers.

<i>Macrotyloma uniflorum</i> Species of legume

Macrotyloma uniflorum is a legume native to tropical southern Asia, known for its distinct taste and texture, widely used legume in many cuisines. It is also known for human consumption for its rich nutrients and reputed medicinal properties. It is commonly grown for horse feed, hence the name “horse gram”. Horse gram grown in parts of India, as well as Nepal, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and is introduced to the West Indies. It is consumed whole, sprouted, or ground. It is consumed in many parts of India and is also known as a superfood. Horse gram is also allowed to be eaten on some Hindu fasting days. Medical uses of these legumes have been discussed and is described in the Ayurveda.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phytic acid</span> Chemical compound

Phytic acid is a six-fold dihydrogenphosphate ester of inositol, also called inositol hexaphosphate, inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6) or inositol polyphosphate. At physiological pH, the phosphates are partially ionized, resulting in the phytate anion.

<i>Chenopodium pallidicaule</i> Species of plant

Chenopodium pallidicaule, known as cañihua, canihua or cañahua and also kañiwa or kaniwa, is a species of goosefoot, similar in character and uses to the closely related quinoa.

<i>Guizotia abyssinica</i> Species of flowering plant

Guizotia abyssinica is an erect, stout, branched annual herb, grown for its edible oil and seed. Its cultivation originated in the Eritrean and Ethiopian highlands, and has spread to other parts of Ethiopia. Common names include noog/nug ; ramtil or ramtilla; niger or nyger seed ; inga seed; and blackseed. Noug has been described as semi-domesticated, self-incompatible crop with yellow flowering heads and seeds. Recent studies have revealed the regional genetic diversity of some noug populations grown in Ethiopia based on RAPD and AFLP markers.

The Collaborative Crop Research Program (CCRP) funds participatory, collaborative research on agroecological intensification (AEI). Funded projects typically link international, national, and local organizations with communities of smallholder farmers, researchers, development professionals, and other parties. Projects work together as part of a Community of Practice to generate technical and social innovations to improve nutrition, livelihoods, and productivity for farming communities in Africa and South America. Large-scale impact is realized when new ideas, technologies, or processes are adapted, when insights from research catalyze change in policy and practice, and when innovation inspires further success. The program is under the direction of Rebecca J. Nelson of Cornell University and Jane Maland Cady of the McKnight Foundation.

<i>Digitaria sanguinalis</i> Species of grass sometimes used as a crop

Digitaria sanguinalis is a species of grass known by several common names, including hairy crabgrass, hairy finger-grass, large crabgrass, crab finger grass, purple crabgrass. It is one of the better-known species of the genus Digitaria, and one that is known nearly worldwide as a common weed. It is used as animal fodder, and the seeds are edible and have been used as a grain in Germany and especially Poland, where it is sometimes cultivated. This has earned it the name Polish millet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grain</span> Edible dry seed

A grain is a small, hard, dry fruit (caryopsis) – with or without an attached hull layer – harvested for human or animal consumption. A grain crop is a grain-producing plant. The two main types of commercial grain crops are cereals and legumes.

<i>Digitaria compacta</i> Species of grass also known as raishan

Digitaria compacta is a grass species native to India and Indochina. It is cultivated in the Khasi Hills of northeast India, used as a glutinous flour for making bread or porridge, and known as raishan.

<i>Digitaria iburua</i> Species of grass

Digitaria iburua, commonly known as iburu, is a grass species native to west and west-central tropical Africa, which is cultivated as a grain crop known as black fonio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Staple food</span> Food that is eaten routinely and considered a dominant portion of a standard diet

A staple food, food staple, or simply staple, is a food that is eaten often and in such quantities that it constitutes a dominant portion of a standard diet for an individual or a population group, supplying a large fraction of energy needs and generally forming a significant proportion of the intake of other nutrients as well. For humans, a staple food of a specific society may be eaten as often as every day or every meal, and most people live on a diet based on just a small variety of food staples. Specific staples vary from place to place, but typically are inexpensive or readily available foods that supply one or more of the macronutrients and micronutrients needed for survival and health: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals, and vitamins. Typical examples include grains, seeds, nuts and root vegetables. Among them, cereals, legumes and tubers account for about 90% of the world's food calorie intake.

Sorghum is an important staple crop for more than 500 million people in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, including many people in Nepal. In statistics collected from 1992 to 1994 about general millet, Nepal had an area of 0.21 million ha, with a yield rate of 1.14 (t/ha), and produced around 0.24 million tons of sorghum. The entirety of the crop is highly valued, with both the grain and the stem being utilized. The Terai region of Nepal tends to be more tropical which is ideal for the growth of sorghum. It tolerates hot climates better than maize or soybeans. For subsistence farmers, like those in Nepal, fertilizers are not necessary and the crop is frequently harvested by hand.

The Future 50 Foods report, subtitled "50 foods for healthier people and a healthier planet", was published in February 2019 by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Knorr. It identifies 50 plant-based foods that can increase dietary nutritional value and reduce environmental impacts of the food supply, promoting sustainable global food systems.

Urochloa deflexa, commonly known as Guinea millet, is an annual millet grass belonging to the grass family (Poaceae). It is native to many regions such as Africa, India, and Pakistan in both tropical and subtropical regions. It has been used as a supplemental food source among other cereal crops.

References

  1. ↑ "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species" . Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  2. 1 2 Blench, Roger (2006). Archaeology, language, and the African past. Altamira Press. ISBN   9780759104655.
  3. ↑ "Agriculture International". Volumes 42-43. Agraria Press. 1990. p. 132. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  4. ↑ Saine, A. (2012). Culture and Customs of Gambia. Culture and customs of Africa. Greenwood. p. 95. ISBN   978-0-313-35910-1.
  5. ↑ "Digitaria exilis". Germplasm Resources Information Network . Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture . Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  6. ↑ "'Fonio just grows naturally': Could ancient indigenous crops ensure food security for Africa?". TheGuardian.com . 7 July 2022.
  7. ↑ Rose, V. (2017). "Fonio: Tasty early-maturing cereal for" (PDF). Bioversity international & EIR Mali. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-01-25. Retrieved 2018-01-24.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  8. ↑ Christian Seignobos and Henry Tourneux, Le Nord-Cameroun à travers ses mots: Dictionnaire de termes anciens et modernes: Province de l'extrême-nord (KARTHALA Editions, 2002; ISBN   2845862458), p. 107.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 Koreissi-Dembélé, Y., Fanou-Fogny, N., Hulshof, P., & Brouwer, I. (2013). Fonio (Digitaria exilis) landraces in Mali: Nutrient and phytate content, genetic diversity and effect of processing. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 29(2), 134-143.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Adoukonou-Sagbadja, H., Wagner, C., Dansi, A., Ahlemeyer, J., Daïnou, O., Akpagana, K., & Friedt, W. (2007). Genetic diversity and population differentiation of traditional fonio millet (Digitaria spp.) landraces from different agro-ecological zones of West Africa. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 115(7), 917-931.
  11. ↑ Ballogou, V., Sagbo, F., Soumanou, M., Manful, J., Toukourou, F., & Hounhouigan, J. (2015). Effect of processing method on physics-chemical and functional properties of two fonio (Digitaria exilis) landraces. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 52(3), 1560-1577.
  12. ↑ "Fonio: EU Novel Food Approval". Official Journal of the European Union.
  13. ↑ "Italian firm Obà brings Fonio to Europe". Food Navigator.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Cruz, J.-F.; Béavogui, F.; Dramé, D. (2011). Le Fonio, une céréale africaine. Agricultures tropicales en poche. Versailles: Quae.
  15. ↑ Blench, Roger. 2012. Vernacular names for African millets and other minor cereals and their significance for agricultural history. Archaeological and Anthropological sciences. doi : 10.1007/s12520-012-0104-5
  16. ↑ Gari, J.A (2002). "Review of the African millet diversity". FAO - Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations. Rome. Italy. pdf
  17. ↑ Morales-Payán, J.P., J.R. Ortiz, J. Cicero, and F. Taveras. 2003. "Digitaria exilis as a crop in the Dominican Republic." p. S1–S3. In: J. Janick and A. Whipkey (eds.), Trends in new crops and new uses. ASHS Press, Alexandria, VA.
  18. ↑ fonio.cirad.fr http://fonio.cirad.fr/en/the_plant/production . Retrieved 21 November 2015.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)[ title missing ]
  19. ↑ Kalaisekar, A (2017). Insect pests of millets: systematics, bionomics, and management. London: Elsevier. ISBN   978-0-12-804243-4. OCLC   967265246.
  20. ↑ Marouzé C., Thaunay P., Drame D., Loua F., Son G., Diop A..(2005) Décortiqueur à fonio GMBF. Dossier de fabrication. Modèle GMBF 03. Plans du décortiqueur à moteur thermique (d) et du décortiqueur à moteur électrique (e) : projet Fonio CFC/ICG - (FIGG/02) amélioration des technologies post-récolte du fonio, CIRAD-IER-IRAG-IRSAT
  21. ↑ "Fonio". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2016-01-14.
  22. ↑ Haq, N (1995). Fonio (Digitaria exilis and Digitaria iburua). London: Chapman & Hall. pp. 2–6.
  23. ↑ Arueya, G., & Oyewale, T. (2015). Effect of varying degrees of succinylation on the functional and morphological properties of starch from acha (Digitaria exilis Kippis Stapf).Food Chemistry 177, 258-266.
  24. 1 2 Jideani IA (2000) Traditional and possible technological uses of Digitaria exilis (acha) and Digitaria iburua (iburu). Plant Foods for Human Nutrition 54: 363-374.
  25. ↑ Jideani IA (1990) Acha-Digitaria exilis–the neglected cereal. Agric Int 42:132–143
  26. ↑ Elberse W and Breman H (1989) Germination and establishment of Sahelian rangeland species. Oecologia 8: 477-484.
  27. 1 2 Adoukonou-Sagbadja H, Wagner C, Dansi A, Ahlemeyer J, Daienou O, Akpagana K, Ordon F, Friedt W (2007) Genetic diversity and population differentiation of traditional fonio millet (Digitaria spp.) landraces from different agro-ecological zones of West Africa. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 115(7): 917-931.
  28. 1 2 3 Adoukonou-Sagbadja H, Dansi A, Vodouhè R, Akpagana K (2006) Indigenous knowledge and traditional conservation of fonio millet (Digitaria exilis, Digitaria iburua) in Togo. Biodiversity and Conservation 15: 2379-2395
  29. ↑ Dansi A, Adoukonou-Sagbadja H, Vodouhè R (2010) Diversity, conservation and related wild species of Fonio millet (Digitaria spp.) in the northwest of Benin. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution 57: 827-839.
  30. 1 2 3 Barikmo I., Quattara F., & Oshaug A. (2004). Protein, carbohydrate and fibre in cereals from Mali - how to fit the results in a food composition table and database. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 17 (3-4), 291-300.
  31. ↑ Jideani, I.A. (2012). "Digitaria exilis (acha/fonio), Digitaria iburua (iburu/fonio) and Eluesine coracana (tamba/finger millet) – Non-conventional cereal grains with potentials". Scientific Research and Essays. 7 (45): 3834–3843.
  32. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Gigou, J., Stilmant D., Diallo T., Cisse N., Sanogo M., Vaksmann M., & Dupuis B. (2009). Fonio millet (Digitaria exilis) response to N, P and K fertilizers under varying climatic conditions in West Africa. Experimental Agriculture, 45 (4), 401-415.
  33. 1 2 3 4 Dansi, A., Adoukonou-Sagbadja, H., & Vodouhè, R. (2010). Diversity, conservation and related wild species of Fonio millet (Digitaria spp.) in the northwest of Benin. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, 57(6), 827-839.
  34. ↑ "WWF & Knorr Report: "50 foods for healthier people and a healthier planet"" (PDF). 20 February 2019.
  35. ↑ "WWF: Fonio food of the future". www.obafoodgroup.com. 26 March 2019.
  36. ↑ Lasekan, OO, Teixeira, JPF,Salva, TJG (2001). Volatile flavor compounds of cooked acha (Digitaria exilis stapf). Food Chemistry 75: 333-337.
  37. ↑ Arueya, GL, Oyewaye, TM (2015). Effect of varying degrees of succinylation on the functional and morphological properties of starch from acha (Digitaria exilis kippis stapf). Food Chemistry 177: 258-266.
  38. ↑ Jideani, IA, Takeda, Y, Hizukuri, S (1996). Structures and physicochemical properties of starches from acha (Digitaria exilis), ibunra (D-ibunra), and tamba (Eleusine coracana). Cereal Chemistry 73: 677-685.
  39. ↑ Irving, DW, Jideani, IA (1997). Microstructure and composition of Digitaria exilis stapf (acha): a potential crop. Cereal Chemistry 74: 224-228.
  40. ↑ Barikmo, I, Outtara, F, Oshaug, A (2004). Protein, carbohydrate and fibre in cereals from Mali-how to fit the results in a food composition table and database. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis 17: 291-300.

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.