Recent genomic studies highlight the higher diversity and specialized regulatory adaptations of photosynthetic genes in C4 plants like sorghum and foxtail millet, compared to CAM plants, providing insights for improving crop resilience and productivity.
Researchers demonstrated how coupling EMS mutagenesis with sequencing accelerates gene identification and validation in sorghum, revealing a conserved bHLH transcription factor essential for male fertility and highlighting broader applications for crop improvement and functional genomics.
Developing carotenoid-rich sorghum varieties using grain color as a proxy for carotenoid levels, combined with marker-assisted selection, offers a promising strategy to combat vitamin A deficiency in vulnerable populations.
Scientists researched how phenotypic plasticity in sorghum’s flowering time and plant height, driven by genetic loci and environmental factors like temperature, can be leveraged for predicting crop performance and improving adaptation to diverse and changing environments.
A study conducted by researchers from the University of the Basque Country and AN S. Coop. found that integrating the Vilomene sorghum cultivar with urease inhibitors improves nitrogen retention, reduces environmental impact, and enhances wheat yield and quality in crop rotations.
Domestication of Sorghum bicolor has led to drought-resistant traits, where a shorter stature and specific physiological mechanisms help conserve water and maintain grain yield under stress.
