A predictive model was developed to classify drought responsive genes in sorghum across development, genotype and stress severity. This sorghum trained model was applied to maize that detected a core set of drought-responsive genes across diverse sorghum and maize genotypes which are conserved and associated with abiotic stress response pathways.
Review of the Current Research and Future Avenues for Discovery into C4 Plants
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.
Overexpressing Rieske FeS in Transgenic Sorghum Crops Results in Greater Biomass and Grain 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.
Epicuticular Wax and Anthracnose Resistance in Sorghum
Study sheds light on the role of epicuticular wax in regulating disease response.
Ethiopian Sorghum Landraces Provide Novel Genetic Sources for Drought Tolerance
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.
Growth and Salt Tolerance Negatively correlated with Expression of Transcription factor SbMYBHv33
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.
SbPho2, Phosphorus Starvation Signaling Gene, Identified in Sorghum and Shown to be Involved in Regulating the Uptake of Multiple Nutrients
Sorghum mutant, sbpho2, exhibits leaf necrosis and short roots, and is likely involved in phosphate accumulation and root architecture alteration.
Composition of Starch Polymers in Waxy, Sweet, and Hybrid Sorghum
Kang et. al., study the relationship between fine structure and the physicochemical properties of starch in sweet and waxy inbreds and hybrid sorghum
ANTHRACNOSE RESISTANCE GENE 2 Imparts Fungal Resistance Without Negatively Affecting Plant Growth
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.
Major traits in Sorghum Bicolor Linked to SNP Markers showing Potential for Future Use in Genomically Selective Breeding
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.