Research Highlights

Researchers used single-cell ATAC-seq data to investigate the evolution of cis-regulatory elements (CREs) associated with C4 photosynthesis, revealing a mix of conserved and novel chromatin accessibility regions that drive cell-type-specific expression of C4 enzymes.

The development of pollen exine is highly conserved across Poaceae, though surface ornamentation varies among species, with the gene EPAD1 playing a key role in exine patterning in some clades but not others.

Scientists from Northwest A&F University in China studied how different concentrations of PEG affect sweet sorghum’s growth and stress response, revealing that the upregulation of genes involved in osmolyte biosynthesis, including sugars and amino acids, enhances the plant’s tolerance to water scarcity.

The review discusses the significant progress in understanding the genetic basis of sorghum’s agronomic traits, its tolerance to various stresses, and its potential for addressing food and feed security.

Recent advancements in genomics have led to the complete telomere-to-telomere (T2T) assemblies of two sorghum genomes. These comprehensive assemblies provide valuable insights into the genetic landscape of sorghum, enhancing our understanding and enabling significant agricultural and biological discoveries. The recent studies are below : Wei et al (April-2024) – 10.1002/imt2.193 & Deng, Y et al (May-2024) – 10.1016/j.xplc.2024.100977.

Insect feeding on plants triggers complex physiological and metabolic changes, including alterations in lignin biosynthesis and auxin signaling, which enhance plant defense mechanisms against phloem-feeding insects, such asaphids.

Pearl millet, a resilient C4 crop crucial for food security in arid regions, faces challenges in yield and shelf life due to environmental stresses and rapid flour rancidity, which can potentially be mitigated through genetic engineering targeting phospholipase genes.

Sorghum seed development involves complex molecular processes, including tissue-specific gene expression and metabolite accumulation, which are critical for improving grain quality, yield, and climate resilience.

Researchers from Shijiazhuang, China identified and characterized seven PRE genes in sorghum, highlighting SbPRE4’s role in enhancing aphid resistance through jasmonic acid signaling.

LncRNAs play a crucial role in regulating gene expression and enhancing drought tolerance in sorghum by modulating stress-related biochemical and physiological processes.