Sorghum production and anthracnose disease management in future global energy and food security

Authors: Prom, Louis

Submitted to: Journal of Plant Diseases and Biomarkers
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/7/2017
Publication Date: 12/15/2017
Citation: Prom, L.K. 2017. Sorghum production and anthracnose disease management in future global energy and food security. Journal of Plant Diseases and Biomarkers. 1(1):1-3.

Interpretive Summary: Sorghum is the fifth most important cereal crop in world commerce with uses ranging from animal feed, food, in brewery, and recently as a potential source of biofuel. With the expected increase in the world's population, crop production outputs must be increased. Annual cereal production, including sorghum, will have to be increased 37% by 2050. Sorghum supplies the minimum daily calorie needs for hundreds of millions of people living in drier regions of the tropics and its importance will continue to grow as consumers seek alternate grains for a healthier diet. Although sorghum is well adapted to abiotic stresses, increase in sorghum productivity will require limiting the impact of biotic stresses such as weeds, insects, and diseases caused by fungi, viruses, nematodes, and bacteria. Researchers have identified lines that are resistant to anthracnose, the most important foliar disease of sorghum. However, there is still work to be done in using the available molecular techniques to understand the mechanisms of resistance to anthracnose and other sorghum diseases. In summation, countries will have to implement policies in which the need for energy based biofuel using edible feedstocks, food demands, and grain prices are sustainable for the expected increase in the world's population.

Technical Abstract: Sorghum is the fifth most important cereal crop in world commerce with uses ranging from animal feed, food, in brewery, and recently as a potential source of biofuel. With the expected increase in the world's population, crop production outputs must be increased. Annual cereal production, including sorghum, will have to be increased 37% by 2050. Sorghum supplies the minimum daily calorie needs for hundreds of millions of people living in drier regions of the tropics and its importance will continue to grow as consumers seek alternate grains for a healthier diet. Although sorghum is well adapted to abiotic stresses, increase in sorghum productivity will require limiting the impact of biotic stresses such as weeds, insects, and diseases caused by fungi, viruses, nematodes, and bacteria. Researchers have identified lines that are resistant to anthracnose, the most important foliar disease of sorghum. However, there is still work to be done in using the available molecular techniques to understand the mechanisms of resistance to anthracnose and other sorghum diseases. In summation, countries will have to implement policies in which the need for energy based biofuel using edible feedstocks, food demands, and grain prices are sustainable for the expected increase in the world's population.