A genome-wide analysis of sorghum revealed that stems possess relatively few organ-specific genes due to their meristematic origins, with two KNOX-like transcription factors, SbTALE03 and SbTALE04, emerging as key stem-preferred regulators and promising tools for targeted engineering supported by regulatory and network evidence.
Drought tolerance in sorghum arises from coordinated molecular, biochemical, and physiological mechanisms, including elevated osmoprotectant levels, enhanced antioxidant defenses, and activation of ABA-dependent bZIP transcription factors that collectively maintain cellular stability and promote resilience under water stress.
Salt-tolerant phosphorus-solubilizing fungi enhance plant nutrition and stress resilience in saline soils through organic acid–mediated P mobilization, antifungal metabolite production, and adaptive physiological mechanisms, highlighting their potential as biofertilizers pending field validation.
A genome-wide association study in sorghum identified 189 QTNs underlying root system architecture, highlighting a complex polygenic basis with candidate genes linked to hormone signaling, flavonoid biosynthesis, and stress adaptation.
Liu et al. found that though alkali stress disrupts growth, osmotic balance, and cellular stability in sorghum, the tolerant genotype Z14 counters these effects through stronger antioxidant defenses, enhanced osmotic regulation and rapid activation of stress-responsive genes and signaling pathways.
Linalool enhances sorghum resistance to Colletotrichum sublineola-induced anthracnose by activating salicylic acid–mediated defense signaling and directly inhibiting fungal growth through membrane disruption and oxidative stress.
Multi-locus GWAS of Ethiopian sorghum landraces revealed extensive genetic variation and key candidate genes underlying root architectural traits, providing valuable targets for breeding drought-resilient, water-efficient sorghum cultivars.
Mutations in the sorghum Waxy (GBSS) gene reduce amylose content and create value-added grain traits, and new genomic resources now enable more efficient breeding of waxy sorghum for food, feed, and biofuel applications.
