ARS | Publication request: Variation in Transpiration Efficiency in Sorghum

Submitted to: American Society of Plant Biologists Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: February 27, 2009
Publication Date: February 27, 2009
Citation: Xin, Z., Aiken, R., Burke, J.J. 2009. Variation in Transpiration Efficiency in Sorghum[abstract]. Southern Section of the American Society of Plant Biologists Branch Meeting. February 27, 2009, Austin, Texas.

Technical Abstract: Declining freshwater resources, increasing population, and growing demand for biofuels pose new challenges for agriculture research. To meet these challenges, the concept "Blue Revolution" (more crop per drop) was proposed to improve water productivity in agriculture. We have identified several sorghum lines with substantial increases in transpiration efficiency (TE) using a high throughput lysimetric method from 406 sorghum accessions. Twenty-five lines were selected to conduct re-confirmation studies at two locations that have different experimental conditions and water regimes. Significant variation in TE was identified at both locations. The high TE in the superior lines is associated increased biomass accumulation rather than reduced transpiration. Gas-exchange analysis of eight selected lines indicated that decreased internal CO2 concentration and enhanced PEP carboxylase activity may contribute to the increased TE observed in some lines. The results indicate that considerable genetic variation in TE exists in sorghum germplasm collection, which may be exploited to improve water use efficiency in sorghum.