Research Highlights

Zhang et al. investigated the molecular features of nine SbPht1 genes that are expressed in response to phosphorus deficiency in sorghum and found that some of these genes are specifically involved in phosphorus uptake and transport in response to low-phosphorus stress.

Kumar et al. performed an in-depth analysis of K+ transport genes in Sorghum bicolor demonstrating that K+ transport genes play an integral part in the growth and development of the plant.

Scientists have generated de novo genome assemblies for 10 parental genotypes of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), and identified more than 24,000 large structural variants and over 10.5 million SNPs.

Grzybowski et al. employed a global, genetically diverse sorghum association panel to explore the variability in metabolic, physiological, and morphological responses to nitrogen deficits and the effect on yield.

Researchers from Kansas State University and the USDA-ARS located seven protein, ten starch and ten amylose content in grain sorghum QTLs.

Brachytic1 (br1) alternatively spliced alleles confer semi-dwarfism in maize. Sorghum ortholog is a promising breeding target.

When comparing grain to sweet sorghum lines, Osman et al. identified differences in the lectin homologs in the presence/absence of certain other joint domains.They also identified significant overrepresentation of lectins in certain QTLs related to cold and drought tolerance.

Yang et al. evaluated 294 sorghum recombinant inbred lines for their interaction with the human gut microbiome in 12 healthy donors.

In a large breeding program (701 sorghum lines), leaf width was correlated with plant-level transpiration efficiency and associated with 19 QTL, suggesting it could be a surrogate for transpiration efficiency.

Borrell et al. conducted research to explore how genetically modifying PIN genes in sorghum can affect mechanisms underpinning the stay-green drought adaptation phenotype.