 |
|
Cornell researchers clone aluminum-tolerance gene in sorghum, promising boost to crop yields in developing world
August 28, 2007When soils are too acidic, aluminum that is locked up in clay minerals dissolves into the soil as toxic, electrically charged particles called ions, making it hard for most plants to grow. In fact, aluminum toxicity in acidic soils limits crop production in as much as half the world's arable land, mostly in developing countries in Africa, Asia and South America.
Now, Cornell researchers have cloned a novel aluminum-tolerant gene in sorghum and expect to have new genetically-engineered aluminum-tolerant sorghum lines by next year.
The research, to be published in the September issue of Nature Genetics, provides insights into how specialized proteins in the root tips of some cultivars of sorghum and such related species as wheat and maize can boost aluminum tolerance in crops.
Sorghum is an important food crop in Africa, Central America and South Asia and is the world's fifth most important cereal crop.
"My lab has been working to identify the physiological mechanisms of plant aluminum tolerance as well as its molecular basis," said Leon Kochian, the paper's senior author, a Cornell adjunct professor of plant biology and director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture--Agriculture Research Service (USDA-ARS) Plant, Soil and Nutrition Laboratory at Cornell. "The reason this is significant is there are extensive areas of the earth's lands that are highly acidic, with pH of 5 or below [pH below 7 is considered acidic]. Most of these areas are in the tropics or subtropics, where many developing countries are located."
Kochian's research shows that in aluminum-tolerant sorghum varieties, special proteins in the root tip release citric acid into the soil in response to aluminum exposure. Citric acid binds aluminum ions very effectively, preventing the toxic metal from entering the roots.
Kochian and colleagues, including the paper's first author, Jurandir Magalhaes, who received his Ph.D. from Cornell in Kochian's lab and now directs his own lab at the Embrapa Maize and Sorghum Research Center in Brazil, used genetic mapping to identify a single gene that encodes a novel membrane-transporter protein responsible for the citric acid release. The gene, they discovered, is only turned on to express the protein and transport citric acid when aluminum ions are present in the surrounding soil.
The researchers have now used the sorghum gene to engineer transgenic aluminum-tolerant Arabidopsis thaliana (a small mustard plant used in plant research because of its small genome and short life cycle) and wheat plants. Sorghum is harder to genetically transform, Kochian said.
The map-based cloning of this agronomically important gene in sorghum is helping advance this species as a model for further exploring the mechanisms of aluminum tolerance and discovering new molecular genetic solutions to improving crop yields, Kochian said.
"This research also has environmental implications for badly needed increases in food production on marginal soils in developing countries," said Kochian. "For example, if we can increase food production on existing lands, it could limit encroachment into other areas for agriculture."
The research is supported in part by the McKnight Foundation Collaborative Crop Research Program, the Generation Challenge Program, the National Science Foundation and the USDA-ARS.
Cornell University
Sorghum is an important food crop in Africa, Central America and South Asia and is the world's fifth most important cereal crop.
"My lab has been working to identify the physiological mechanisms of plant aluminum tolerance as well as its molecular basis," said Leon Kochian, the paper's senior author, a Cornell adjunct professor of plant biology and director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture--Agriculture Research Service (USDA-ARS) Plant, Soil and Nutrition Laboratory at Cornell. "The reason this is significant is there are extensive areas of the earth's lands that are highly acidic, with pH of 5 or below [pH below 7 is considered acidic]. Most of these areas are in the tropics or subtropics, where many developing countries are located."
Kochian's research shows that in aluminum-tolerant sorghum varieties, special proteins in the root tip release citric acid into the soil in response to aluminum exposure. Citric acid binds aluminum ions very effectively, preventing the toxic metal from entering the roots.
Kochian and colleagues, including the paper's first author, Jurandir Magalhaes, who received his Ph.D. from Cornell in Kochian's lab and now directs his own lab at the Embrapa Maize and Sorghum Research Center in Brazil, used genetic mapping to identify a single gene that encodes a novel membrane-transporter protein responsible for the citric acid release. The gene, they discovered, is only turned on to express the protein and transport citric acid when aluminum ions are present in the surrounding soil.
The researchers have now used the sorghum gene to engineer transgenic aluminum-tolerant Arabidopsis thaliana (a small mustard plant used in plant research because of its small genome and short life cycle) and wheat plants. Sorghum is harder to genetically transform, Kochian said.
The map-based cloning of this agronomically important gene in sorghum is helping advance this species as a model for further exploring the mechanisms of aluminum tolerance and discovering new molecular genetic solutions to improving crop yields, Kochian said.
"This research also has environmental implications for badly needed increases in food production on marginal soils in developing countries," said Kochian. "For example, if we can increase food production on existing lands, it could limit encroachment into other areas for agriculture."
The research is supported in part by the McKnight Foundation Collaborative Crop Research Program, the Generation Challenge Program, the National Science Foundation and the USDA-ARS.
Cornell University
Sorghum Current Events and Sorghum News RSSScientists at UA, collaborating institutions decode maize genome
Scientists from the University of Arizona led by Arizona Genomics Institute director Rod A. Wing and from collaborating institutions have deciphered the complete genetic code of the maize plant for the first time.
UCR researchers develop genetic map for cowpea, accelerating development of new varieties
Cowpea, a protein-rich legume crop, is immensely important in many parts of the world, particularly drought-prone regions of Africa and Asia, where it plays a central role in the diet and economy of hundreds of millions of people.
If only the weeds would keep their genes to themselves
Family can be a blessing and a curse, and never more so than in the case of crop plants and their wild relatives. These wild and weedy relatives harbor unique and beneficial genes that may no longer be found in their cultivated siblings, but they also harbor genetic traits that farmers have intentionally selected against in their domesticated brethren.
Scientists identify gene for resistance to parasitic 'witchweed'
The parasitic flowering plant Striga, or "witchweed," attacks the roots of host plants, draining needed water and nutrients and leaving them unable to grow and produce any grains.
GEN reports on alternative feedstocks for ethanol production
Scientists say they are forging ahead in developing replacements for petrochemical fuels that will be cost-competitive and renewable while having a minimal impact on the environment, reports Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (GEN).
New study finds that sharing genetic resources key to adaptation to climate change in Africa
As rapidly rising temperatures in Africa threaten to scorch local varieties of maize and other food staples, the food security of many Africans will depend on farmers in one country gaining access to climatically suitable varieties now being cultivated in other African nations, and beyond.
Rice U. researchers ask if biofuels will lead to a 'drink or drive' choice
Rice University scientists warned that the United States must be careful that the new emphasis on developing biofuels as an alternative to imported oil takes into account potential damage to the nation's water resources.
UNEP report details surprising green energy investment trends worldwide
Some $155 billion was invested in 2008 in clean energy companies and projects worldwide, not including large hydro, a new report launched today says.
Understanding natural crop defenses
Ever since insects developed a taste for vegetation, plants have faced the same dilemma: use limited resources to out-compete their neighbors for light to grow, or, invest directly in defense against hungry insects.
Scientists behind 'doomsday seed vault' ready the world's crops for climate change
As climate change is credited as one of the main drivers behind soaring food prices, the Global Crop Diversity Trust is undertaking a major effort to search crop collections-from Azerbaijan to Nigeria-for the traits that could arm agriculture against the impact of future changes.
More Sorghum Current Events and Sorghum News Articles
 |
Sweet White Sorghum Berries, 1 lb. by Barry Farm Sweet white sorghum is the sweetest tasting, healthiest, and most digestable of the sorghum grains. |
 |
Pure Sorghum Syrup, 1 pint by Barry Farm Pure sorghum, locally packed. Great on pancakes or use in baked beans or any recipe calling for molasses. Milder tasting than molasses. |
|
|
Pure Sorghum Syrup, 1 quart by Barry Farm Pure sorghum, locally packed. Great on pancakes or use in baked beans or any recipe calling for molasses. Milder tasting than molasses. |
 |
Sorghum Flour, Sweet White, 5 lb. by Barry Farm Sorghum Flour, Sweet White, 1 lb. |
 |
Sorghum: Origin, History, Technology, and Production (Wiley Series in Crop Science) by C. Wayne Smith (Editor), Richard A. Frederiksen (Editor) The newest addition to the Wiley Series in Crop Science, this book is an all-in-one guide to sorghum, one of the eight major grain crops grown worldwide. While presenting information in adequate detail for scientists, it is also an invaluable reference for growers, processors, and grain merchants. |
 |
Golden Barrel Sorghum Syrup Wide Mouth Jar - 16 oz by Golden Barrel Sorghum Syrup is processed by cooking the sweet juices of the Sorghum plant, which is from the corn family. It is rich in iron and remarkably heathy for you. Excellent for baking !! Uses -- The versatility of sorghum is being rediscovered by today's nutrition conscious homemakers. They are finding that there is hardly a food served today that sorghum will not improve. Put sorghum over your pancakes, biscuits or toast, as a topping for your ice cream or in Grandmas' treasured recipes for ginger snaps or ginger bread. Sorghum can be used in your stir fry base as well as in your baked beans, its' a great ingredient to add into you homemade breads and can be substituted cup for cup in any recipe that calls for molasses, honey, corn syrup or maple syrup. For today's chef, sorghum is a... |
 |
Bob's Red Mill Sorghum Flour, 22-Ounce (Pack of 4) by Bob's Red Mill |
|
|
Sorghum Flour, Sweet White, 1 lb. by Barry Farm Sorghum Flour, Sweet White, 1 lb. |
 |
Authentic Foods Sorghum Flour by Authentic Foods Sorghum Flour is a cereal grain crop. Many populations in Africa and India have consumed sorghum for thousands of years. Their cultures actually developed the original White sorghum for making porridges and flat pancakes. The White Sorghum Flour is high in insoluble fiber with relatively small amounts of soluble fiber. The protein and starch components of grain sorghum are more slowly digested than other cereals and slow the rate of digestion for products made from White Sorghum. Slower rates of digestibility are particularly beneficial for diabetics. Product includes waffle and lemon seven-up cake recipe. Packaged 3 lbs. in a gold foil polypropylene bag |
 |
Red Sorghum: A Novel of China by Mo Yan (Author), Howard Goldblatt (Translator) A legend in China, where it won the major literary awards and inspired an Oscar-nominated film, this is a novel of family, myth, and memory, set during the fratricidal barbarity of the 1930s, when the Chinese battled both Japanese invaders and each other. |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |