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.
High Throughput, Low Cost Colorimetric Assay for Assessing Hydrogen Cyanide Potential in Sorghum
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.
Phenotypic and Genetic Diversity in Sweet Sorghum Presents Opportunities for Strengthening Valued Traits Through Cross-Breeding
Researchers investigated 75 lines of sweet sorghum for phenotypic and genetic variability and found significant differences, which present opportunities for heterotic cross-breeding.
Identification and Promoter Analysis of 18 Sorghum JAZ Genes with Critical Functions in the JA Signaling Pathway
Scientists identified 18 sorghum JAZ genes that have critical functions in the JA signaling pathway and analyzed their promoter regions to identify stress-related cis-acting regulatory elements and transcription factors.
Genetic Mapping Behind Low Hydrocyanic Acid in a Sorghum-Sudangrass Hybrid
Wu et al. investigated the underlying genetic mechanism behind low HCN content in sorghum and screened 11 simple sequence repeats (SSR) polymorphic primers and, using bulked segregant analysis (BSA), developed four SSR markers associated with low HCN content.