Research Highlights

Recent studies into the function of trehalose 6-phosphate (Tre6P) in C4 plants warrant further research into the molecular mechanisms involved in Tre6P regulation of carbon partitioning and metabolism in these crops for increased grain yield and food production.

Increasing Rieske FeS protein abundance in sorghum can lead to greater biomass and grain production, making it a good target for improving productivity in warm climates.

Study sheds light on the role of epicuticular wax in regulating disease response.

A study of seven traits in 320 Ethiopian landraces and four improved varieties suggests chlorophyll content is an ideal trait to select for in a breeding program. Several landraces outperformed the improved varieties.

A sorghum MYB transcription factor was studied under salt stress conditions. Overexpression reduces biomass accumulation and salinity tolerance, while loss of function leads to longer roots and increased salt tolerance.

Sorghum mutant, sbpho2, exhibits leaf necrosis and short roots, and is likely involved in phosphate accumulation and root architecture alteration.

Kang et. al., study the relationship between fine structure and the physicochemical properties of starch in sweet and waxy inbreds and hybrid sorghum

Using genetic mapping and sequence comparisons, Mewa et al. identified a single ANTHRACNOSE RESISTANCE GENE 2 (ARG2) in SC328C, which encodes a nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) protein that produces resistance to certain Cs strains.

The Ethopian sorghum crop is extremely genetically diverse and exhibits a large phenotypic variation. The fact that the germplasm is also widely adapted to both biotic and abiotic stresses makes it a valuable resource for enhancing desirable traits.

Nakasagga et al. developed a colorimetric assay that is fast and inexpensive and can both measure the HCN-P and allow comparison with existing visual assays.