The Center for Sorghum Improvement (CSI) will host a virtual seminar by Dr. Daran Rudnick, Professor and Director of Sustainable Irrigation in the Carl and Melinda Helwig Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at Kansas State University Research and Extension, on Tuesday, December 8 at 11:00 AM CT. His talk is titled, “Connecting Sorghum Production to Groundwater Outcomes: Perspectives from TAPS.”
Unlocking Plant Secrets One Cell at a Time: Reflections from GRC 2025
This August, I had the honor of representing the AgBioData Single-Cell Biocuration Working Group at the Gordon Research Conference on “Single-Cell Approaches in Plant Biology” in Portland, Maine. Thanks to the AgBioData Ambassador Award, I joined an incredible community of researchers from August 10-15 to explore how we are revolutionizing plant science by zooming in to the cellular level. Single-cell technologies let us see what individual cells are doing, and the insights are transforming everything from basic biology to crop development.
Linalool-Mediated Defense Mechanisms Underpin Sorghum Resistance to Anthracnose
Linalool enhances sorghum resistance to Colletotrichum sublineola-induced anthracnose by activating salicylic acid–mediated defense signaling and directly inhibiting fungal growth through membrane disruption and oxidative stress.
Differential Genetic Responses to Drought Stress in C3 and C4 Plants: Insights for Enhancing Crop Resilience
Research reveals that drought stress disrupts photosynthesis by down-regulating key genes in C3 (wheat) and C4 (sorghum) plants, with wheat exhibiting greater susceptibility, highlighting potential genetic targets for improving drought tolerance in crops.
Genetic Regulation of the Multiple-Grain Spikelet Trait in Sorghum: Insights into MGS1 and Its Role in Enhancing Grain Yield
The MGS1 gene in sorghum, encoding a MIKC-type MADS-box transcription factor, regulates the multiple-grain spikelet (MGS) trait, with natural mutations like mgs19E and mgs1BA45 significantly increasing grain yield by producing adjacent double-pistil primordia.
Genotypic Variation in ABC Transporters Influences Cadmium Phytoremediation Potential of Sorghum
Sorghum, a high-biomass crop, shows promise for phytoremediation of cadmium (Cd)-contaminated soils, with Cd uptake and translocation largely influenced by genotype-specific expression of ABC transporter proteins, particularly SbABCB11.
Dissecting the Genetic Basis of Root Traits in Sorghum Using Genome-Wide Association Studies
A genome-wide association study in sorghum identified 189 QTNs underlying root system architecture, highlighting a complex polygenic basis with candidate genes linked to hormone signaling, flavonoid biosynthesis, and stress adaptation.
Subfunctionalization of MBW Complex Components in Sorghum Reveals Loss of Pleiotropy in Tannin1
Tannin1 in sorghum does not act as a pleiotropic master regulator of leaf pigmentation or chilling tolerance, supporting a model of subfunctionalization of MBW components in panicoid grasses.
SbWRKY51 Positively Regulates Sorghum Salt Tolerance Through Coordinated Control of ROS Homeostasis and Lignin Biosynthesis
SbWRKY51, a group II WRKY transcription factor in sorghum, enhances salt tolerance by maintaining ion and ROS homeostasis and promoting lignin biosynthesis to strengthen cell wall integrity under salt stress.
Optimizing Sorghum–AMF Symbiosis: The Role of Sorgoleone in Enhancing Phosphorus Uptake and Plant Growth
Sorgoleone enhances arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonization in sorghum, optimizing phosphorus uptake and plant growth, with 20 µM identified as the optimal concentration for symbiotic efficiency.