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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lincoln, Nebraska » Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #221512
Title: Registration of BN611, A/BN612, RN613 Sorghum Genetic Stocks with Stacked bmr-6 and bmr-12 Genes

Author
item Pedersen, Jeffrey
item Toy, John
item Funnell-Harris, Deanna
item Sattler, Scott
item OLIVER, AMANDA - OKLAHOMA STATE

Submitted to: Journal of Plant Registrations
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/20/2008
Publication Date: 9/1/2008
Citation: Pedersen, J.F., Toy, J.J., Funnell-Harris, D.L., Sattler, S.E., Oliver, A.L. 2008. Registration of BN611, A/BN612, RN613 Sorghum Genetic Stocks with Stacked bmr-6 and bmr-12 Genes. Journal of Plant Registrations 2:258-262.

Interpretive Summary: Three sorghum genetic stocks, BN611, A/BN612, and RN613, with the stacked brown midrib genes bmr-6 and bmr-12 were developed jointly by the USDA-ARS and the Agricultural Research Division, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska, and were released in July 2006. These genetic stocks are very similar to the forage sorghum ‘Atlas’, the hybrid grain sorghum seed parent ‘Wheatland’, and the hybrid grain sorghum pollen parent RTx430. These brown midrib genes are known to be associated with reduced lignin and higher digestibility, making brown midrib sorghum better livestock feed and a better bioenergy feedstock. We previously developed and released genetic stocks containing the individual bmr-6 and bmr-12 genes, and demonstrated the effect these genes had on lignin content and other cell wall-related traits. Since these two genes affect different enzymes involved in lignin synthesis, it is reasonable to hypothesize that their combined effects could result in even greater changes in lignin content and other traits. However, the genetic resources were previously unavailable to test this hypothesis. Release of BN611, A/BN612, and RN613 makes sorghum lines containing both brown midrib genes available for basic research on lignin synthesis, and animal and bioenergy feedstocks. Seed of these genetic stocks are maintained and distributed by the USDA-ARS, Grain, Forage, and Bioenergy Research Unit, Department of Agronomy, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska 68583-0737, and will be provided without cost to each applicant on written request.

Technical Abstract: Three sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] genetic stocks, BN611, A/BN612, and RN613, with stacked brown midrib genes bmr-6 and bmr-12 were developed jointly by the USDA-ARS and the Agricultural Research Division, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska, and were released in July 2006. The genetic stocks BN611, A/BN612, and RN613 were tested as Atlas bmr-6 bmr-12, Wheatland bmr-6 bmr-12, and RTx430 bmr-6 bmr-12, respectively. Release of these genetic stocks makes stacked brown midrib genes reported to reduce the activity of two enzymes important in lignin synthesis, cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (bmr-6) and O-methyl transferase (bmr-12), available in a common forage sorghum, a common grain sorghum seed parent, and a common grain sorghum pollen parent background. The genetic stocks have immediate application for basic research involving lignin synthesis. Seed of these genetic stocks will be maintained and distributed by the USDA-ARS, Grain, Forage, and Bioenergy Research Unit, Department of Agronomy, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska 68583-0937, and will be provided without cost to each applicant on written request.