ARS | Publication request: AIMS LIBRARY - A USEFULL RESOURCE FOR FUNCTIONAL SORGHUM GENOMICS

Submitted to: Plant and Animal Genome Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: January 14, 2006
Publication Date: January 18, 2006
Citation: Xin, Z., Franks, C.D., Burow, G.B., Burke, J.J. 2006. AIMS library - a usefull resource for functional sorghum genomics[abstract]. Plant and Animal Genome Conference. Paper 368.

Technical Abstract: Mutagenesis plays a major role in elucidation of biological processes in plants and animals and is an important tool in genetic improvement of traits for human beings. Although some sorghum mutants are available, no systematic mutagenesis approach has been taken. We initiated a project to generate sorghum mutant library consisting of 10,000 Annotated Individually-pedigreed Mutagenized Sorghum (AIMS) lines for selection of agronomic trait mutants, as well as mutant series for elucidating the as-yet-unknown functions of sequenced genes using the TILLING (Targeted Induced Local Lesion IN Genome) technique. The frequency of albino plants and various other altered phenotypes observed in M2 progeny indicate that mutagenesis in sorghum is highly efficient. Many mutations altered in important agronomic traits, such as panicle morphology, seed size, number of tillers, height, flowering time, and senescence were observed. The AIMS library may serve as a valuable genetic resource for sorghum genomic studies and for elucidating the genetic mechanisms underpinning important agronomic traits. The AIMS library will be made available to all sorghum researchers in the U.S. in 2006.