Location: Plant Stress and Germplasm Development Research
Project Number: 3096-21000-024-010-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Apr 1, 2021
End Date: Mar 31, 2026
Objective:
1. To better understand the physiological and genetic mechanisms controlling cold and drought tolerance in grain and forage sorghum.
2. To develop new germplasm and management strategies for optimizing sorghum production in rainfed and low-input production systems.
Approach:
Sorghum is an under utilized grain and forage crop that has immense potential as a sustainable food, feed, and biomass crop. Sorghum is uniquely positioned as a crop for the future due to its innate drought tolerance, high yield potential, and overall genetic variability waiting to be tapped by breeders and researchers. Unfortunately, few sorghum breeding programs exists today, therefor, collaborative projects are greatly needed to advance the development of improved sorghum inbreds and hybrids. Towards the goal of enhancing sorghum, this proposed research is part of a collaborative effort by USDA-ARS, PA, Cropping Systems Research Laboratory, Lubbock, TX and Kansas State University, Department of Agronomy, Manhattan, KS, to support research for the development of improved sorghum germplasm. This research includes a fundamental understanding of physiological and genetic mechanisms controlling abiotic stress tolerance in sorghum as well as the development of new germplasm and management strategies for optimizing sorghum production. The project will include laboratory, field, and greenhouse studies. Trait responses from greenhouse and field test-evaluations will be examined using ANOVA or nonparametric analyses as appropriate. Field evaluations will use randomized complete block design (RCBD) or incomplete block designs with 3– 4 replications. In addition, this project will also provide goods and services necessary to carry out research of mutual interest to stakeholders, the Agency, and Kansas State University.
