news & research-highlights

CSI Seminar Vincent Vadez, Nov 11 at 9 AM CT

The Center for Sorghum Improvement (CSI) will host a virtual seminar by Dr. Vincent Vadez, Crop Physiologist and Agronomist for the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), on Tuesday, November 11 at 9:00 AM CT. His talk is titled, “Transpiration efficiency and response to high sowing density: Two connected opportunities for yield improvement in sorghum.”

Sequential SNP Prioritization Algorithm (SSPA): A Correlation-Based Post-GWAS Framework for Trait-Associated SNP Discovery in Sorghum

The Sequential SNP Prioritization Algorithm (SSPA) refines GWAS results by leveraging correlation-based feature engineering to prioritize SNPs associated with complex traits in sorghum, providing valuable insights for functional genomics research and enabling downstream machine learning applications.

Genetic Engineering of Sorghum for Reduced Lignin Content and Enhanced Biofuel Efficiency

Transgenic sorghum with reduced lignin content, engineered via RNAi-mediated 4CL gene silencing, improves carbohydrate accessibility and biomass yield for enhanced biofuel production.

Developmental Dynamics of Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Capacity in Sorghum Grain Across Genotypes and Seasons

Researchers analyzed sorghum grain development across genotypes and growing seasons, highlighting differences in grain filling, phenolic compound synthesis, and antioxidant capacity, with phenolic accumulation shifting from early-stage phenolic acids to flavonoid dominance in mature grains.

Optimizing Sorghum for Dual-Purpose Use: Balancing Stover Yield and Feed Quality in Ethiopia

High stover yield sorghum varieties may be lacking in nutritional quality, so dual-purpose variety selection is required to optimize both fodder quantity and feed value for sustainable livestock production.

Save the Date! Global Sorghum Conference in Lubbock, Texas, Sept 14-18. 2026

The Global Sorghum Conference will take place at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, September 14–18, 2026. This international event will highlight sorghum’s unique role as The Resource Conserving Crop™ through technical presentations, networking opportunities, and field tours.

Conserved Non-Coding Sequences in Maize: Regulatory Roles and Potential for Crop Improvement

Conserved non-coding sequences (CNS) play a crucial role in maize gene regulation by interacting with chromatin accessibility and epigenetic modifications, offering potential targets for crop improvement through molecular breeding.

Webinar: Profit-Focused Feeding — Sorghum’s Value in Dairy Nutrition

United Sorghum Checkoff, in partnership with Feed Strategy and Feed & Grain, is sponsoring a live webinar, “Profit-Focused Feeding: Sorghum’s Value in Dairy Nutrition,” on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, from 10:00–11:00 AM ET.

Genetic Insights into Sorghum Root System Architecture for Drought Resilience and Crop Improvement

This study identifies novel and known genetic loci associated with sorghum root system architecture traits, highlighting their role in drought tolerance and demonstrating the potential of genomic selection for sorghum improvement.