Articles tagged with Sorghum
A four-year, $6 million project aims to reduce stalk lodging in corn and sorghum using mathematical modeling and innovative technology. The team plans to breed stronger plants that can withstand various environmental factors, potentially increasing global food production by up to a billion people.
A team of researchers from Clemson University and two other institutions is working to understand the genetics and structural mechanics behind stalk lodging in corn and sorghum. The study aims to break down complex traits into smaller, intermediate characteristics that can be easily grasped at both genetic and structural levels.
The US Department of Energy has awarded a $1.1 million grant to the University of Illinois for sorghum disease resistance research. The project aims to develop host resistance in sorghum, a key trait for lignocellulosic bioenergy production, by leveraging knowledge from corn.
A Texas A&M AgriLife Research study shows that commercially available resistant sorghum varieties provide adequate protection against the sugarcane aphid. The study also found that beneficial predators are readily attracted to aphid-infested sorghum, improving biological control of aphids.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory find a genetic mutation that increases grains in sorghum by tripling each plant's yield. By reducing hormone levels, they generate more flowers and seeds.
A new multi-institution report offers agronomic data for five cellulosic feedstocks, including switchgrass, Miscanthus, and sorghum. The study provides yield potential maps across the US, highlighting areas with high yield potential, but also notes limitations due to droughts and fertilizer application.
Researchers developed mathematical equations to calculate crop yields and optimize fertilizer use for sorghum-peanut intercropping. The study aims to improve profits and food production in West Africa, where millions of farmers face food security challenges.
The partnership aims to improve food security crops with enhanced native traits, disease resistance, nutritional value, and biotic stress resilience. Gene editing is being employed to increase understanding of crop plants and deliver benefits to African farmers.
The US Department of Energy has awarded the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center $16 million to develop stress-tolerant sorghum lines for bioenergy production. The project aims to optimize photosynthesis and water use efficiency, leveraging recent investments from DOE to accelerate sorghum feedstock enhancements.
Archaeologists discovered ancient Egyptian-like plant impressions indicating that prehistoric peoples in the Butana Group were cultivating wild sorghum until it was genetically altered into a domesticated form. This finding pushes back the process for domesticating summer rainfall cereals by over a thousand years.
Researchers analyzed climatological and sorghum yield data from Kansas, finding that temperatures above 33°C result in declining yields. Moderate and high temperature increases of 2°C and 4°C led to significant yield losses, with an average reduction of 10% per 1°C from 1-5°C.
Researchers develop practical wool dye from sorghum husks, offering UV protection and fluorescence, while reducing waste disposal. The dyes showed good colorfastness even after multiple washes and ironing cycles.
Soil microbes may hold key to protecting sorghum crops from Striga, a parasitic plant that causes up to 50% yield loss in sub-Saharan Africa. Researchers will map potential micro-organisms present in African soils to develop sustainable solutions.
The Danforth Center is expanding its research program to optimize breeding strategies for grain sorghum, a critical source of nutrition for millions in Sub-Saharan Africa. The grant will support the development and deployment of advanced phenotyping and breeding technologies.
Recent research suggests that dual-purpose biofuel crops like sugarcane and sweet sorghum can produce both ethanol and biodiesel for nine months of the year, increasing profits. This technology has the potential to decrease capital utilization costs and increase annual biofuel production by 20-30%.
Researchers find using heat-tolerant sorghum varieties can increase crop yield under higher temperatures, but late sowing and collecting rainfall show minimal benefits. The study suggests a novel framework to assess the effectiveness of different adaptation options for West African farmers.
The collaboration aims to significantly boost the ease and frequency of data collection for crop testing, benefiting agricultural production worldwide. Ground and aerial robots equipped with high-tech cameras, sensors, and embedded computers were put on display at Clemson University.
Researchers are using multidisciplinary approaches to genetically improve disease resistance, flooding tolerance, and cell wall composition in sorghum. This work aims to maximize the usefulness of sorghum as a bioenergy crop while minimizing input requirements.
Researchers have identified a type of wild sorghum, known as Arun, which yields significantly more bioethanol than other varieties. The plant's stems contain high levels of a component thought to inhibit bioethanol production, but a high level of easily fermentable sugar negates this effect.
The US Department of Energy is awarding $13.5 million to improve sorghum's productivity under resource-limited conditions. This project will lead to strategies to increase plant biomass and more water-efficient sorghum crop systems, benefiting the rural economy and advancing a carbon-neutral energy market.
The University of Illinois aims to increase the water use efficiency of sorghum by reducing transpiration through stomata and shifting photosynthetic activity. The project predicts a 40% improvement in water use efficiency, unlocking over 9 million new acres for energy crop production.
Research finds that elevated CO2 reduces stomatal conductance, increasing water use efficiency and delaying physiological responses to drought. This study provides new insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying sorghum's resilience to climate change.
A new paper in the Journal of Integrated Pest Management provides a comprehensive overview of greenbug control methods for wheat and sorghum. Growers can use the Glance n' Go system to monitor fields and determine when pesticides are necessary, reducing unnecessary treatments and costs.
Researchers at Kansas State University have identified a key genetic link that enhances heterosis in sorghum, leading to improved plant height and potential increases in crop yield. The findings offer new insights into the complex genetic phenomena of heterosis and its impact on economically important traits.
Researchers investigated dog food processing methods to combat pet obesity, finding that particle size affects digestibility. Maize and sorghum-based diets required coarser grinding for optimal gelatinization, whereas rice-based diets were more easily digested regardless of particle size.
A new study using genomics to match plant varieties with climate stresses shows promise for increasing crop resilience. Researchers mapped genomic signatures of adaptation in sorghum varieties, identifying those that thrive under drought or toxic soils.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have found that safeners activate a defense
Researchers successfully increased photosynthetic rate by 30% and turned sugarcane into an oil-producing crop. The team hopes to integrate these attributes into sugarcane to make it more productive with more photosynthesis and cold-tolerant.
A complete genomic analysis of sorghum reveals its potential for alternative uses beyond grain production. Researchers hope to apply the findings to other feedstocks like miscanthus and sugarcane, while improving drought-resistant lines for food and fuel applications.
A team of researchers from BGI Shenzhen has made a groundbreaking genetic discovery in sorghum, revealing the crop's vast genetic variation and complex domestication history. The study provides a valuable resource for the genetic improvement of sorghum and other grass species.
A new biochemical study confirms sorghum lacks toxic gluten proteins, making it a viable option for those with celiac disease. Sorghum's high nutritional value and traditional use as food in Africa and India also support its potential benefits.
Researchers at USDA's ARS have identified sorghum as a promising bioenergy crop thanks to its drought tolerance, versatility, and high biomass content. The plant can produce sugar that can be converted into biofuel, making it an attractive alternative for the southern US region.
A team of scientists has cloned the tannin gene in sorghum, revealing its role in promoting human health through antioxidant properties. The study also explores ways to alter tannins to improve sorghum's use as food and feed.
Two studies have produced independent chromosome maps of Miscanthus sinensis, revealing the process of genetic duplication and fusion that led to its emergence. The findings provide insights into the evolution of grasses and their desirable traits.
Researchers identify Sh1 gene as key control point for seed shattering in sorghum, finding parallel selection across multiple cereals. The study provides insights into the domestication process of crops like rice and maize, with implications for breeding and increasing crop yields.
A new sorghum plant has been developed that can withstand drought and produce toxins without harming animals. The breakthrough is expected to provide farmers with a reliable source of food during droughts, saving hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
The initiative aims to increase photosynthetic power, cold tolerance, and oil production in sugarcane and sorghum, making them suitable for biodiesel and jet fuel production. Sugarcane and sorghum can potentially replace traditional oil-producing plants like soybeans, offering significant energy security and economic viability.
Researchers at Texas AgriLife Research have discovered a gene regulating sorghum flowering, which can delay flowering and increase biomass accumulation by up to 200 days. This breakthrough enables the development of sorghum as a dedicated bioenergy crop with potential to produce lignocellulosic-based biofuels.
A Kansas State University research team is conducting a three-year study to improve the genetic groundwork for turning sorghum into biofuel. The team aims to increase biomass yield by analyzing sorghum's genetic diversity and developing predictive models to optimize crop improvement.
Researchers at Iowa State University found that single-cropping sorghum grass yields more ethanol than double-cropping systems. The study suggests using sorghum as a sole crop could meet up to 25% of the US energy needs, surpassing corn-based fuels.
Researchers investigated how GMO gene flow impacts sorghum-shattercane wild-crop hybrids. The study found that the hybrids outperformed their parents in terms of growth and competitiveness, but produced fewer seeds.
Researchers found that sorghum bran contains higher levels of antioxidants than blueberries and pomegranates. The study suggests that high-tannin sorghum varieties could be used as an inexpensive and nutritious food additive to combat chronic inflammation and oxidative stress.
Researchers at the University of Illinois will study the effects of the Glossy15 gene system on sorghum biomass production. The goal is to develop economically and environmentally sustainable crops with improved biomass yields and conversion to bioenergy.
Researchers at the ARS Natural Products Utilization Unit have found a way to make sorghum less toxic to certain crops, while increasing its weed-fighting abilities. This discovery may lead to more sustainable agricultural practices and reduced pesticide use in other crops.
Researchers explored how gene flow between cultivated sorghum and its weedy relatives impacts crop yields and diversity. Farmers in northern Cameroon actively limit gene flow through practices like eradicating weeds, but some unintentional practices still favor genetic exchange.
Researchers at Helmholtz Zentrum München sequenced sorghum's genome, gaining insights into its drought tolerance and C4 photosynthesis. The analysis provides new information on the evolution of crop plant genomes.
The sorghum genome sequence reveals its drought-tolerant properties and offers tools to breed more resilient crops. The genetic code is also being used to improve biofuel crops like sugarcane and Miscanthus, enhancing the efficiency of cellulosic ethanol production.
The completed genome data will aid in optimizing sorghum and other crops for food and fodder use, as well as biofuels production. Sorghum's rapid growth and ability to withstand drought make it an excellent candidate for biofuels production.
The sorghum genome has been sequenced by an international team, providing insights into the crop's potential for drought resistance. The findings could help improve food crops for arid regions with expanding human populations.
Scientists have discovered that sweet sorghum reuses stored sugar more efficiently than sugarcane to support plant growth. This understanding is crucial for developing new varieties specifically for the biofuel industry.
Researchers have cloned a novel aluminum-tolerant gene in sorghum, providing insights into how specialized proteins can boost aluminum tolerance in crops. The new genetically-engineered sorghum lines are expected to increase food production on marginal soils in developing countries.
A fast and inexpensive test kit has been developed to detect aflatoxin in crops, enabling African farmers to manage the costly naturally occurring poison. The test has improved food safety and increased agricultural exports, particularly for groundnuts.
The DOE JGI will make freely available 20 billion letters of genetic code through the Community Sequencing Program, targeting key areas like crop improvement, plant biology and renewable energy. This initiative aims to provide valuable insights into crops like sorghum, maize, millet, and sugarcane.
A $2 million sorghum genome grant is funding a project to train students from diverse backgrounds in genetic analysis and presentation. The goal is to attract more scientists from underrepresented groups to plant genomics research, promoting diversity in the field.
A team of Purdue University researchers has identified the genetic mechanism responsible for dwarfed appearance in corn and sorghum plants. This finding may help develop dwarf forms in other crops, improving food production in certain regions. The study also reveals a genetic phenomenon involving direct duplication that causes instabil...
Scientists at Purdue University have cloned a gene that improves the digestibility of food for livestock and enhances the stress tolerance of plants. The study's findings have potential applications in breeding more productive and resilient crop varieties.
The University of Georgia will conduct four-year $3.97 million project to build genomic tools for sorghum and apply genetic maps to improve sorghum biology and productivity. Researchers aim to identify genes involved in making seeds and producing biomass, potentially leading to sustainable energy sources.
Researchers have found that a tough protein wall in sorghum seeds slows down digestion, but Hamaker's work identified an uncommon variety with improved digestibility. The study could lead to more nutritious sorghum crops for human consumption and animal feed.
Researchers use genomics to create 'road maps' of plant genomes, allowing them to quickly locate desirable traits and move them into other crops. This new approach promises to speed the development of crops that can withstand environmental stresses.
Sorghum ergot is a serious fungal disease affecting hybrid seed production, causing significant losses in crop yields and food insecurity. Global cooperation among scientists and agencies is underway to develop strategies for fungicidal control, host-plant resistance, and ecology of ergot.