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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lubbock, Texas » Cropping Systems Research Laboratory » Plant Stress and Germplasm Development Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #396164
Research Project: Discovery and Improvement of Traits to Enhance Sorghum as a Multiple Purpose Crop

Location: Plant Stress and Germplasm Development Research

Title: Genetics of enhanced sink capacity in sorghum

Author
item Burow, Gloria
item Xin, Zhanguo
item Hughes, Halee
item Hayes, Chad
item Chen, Junping
item Payton, Paxton

Submitted to: Crop Science Society of America
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/11/2022
Publication Date: 11/6/2022
Citation: Burow, G.B., Xin, Z., Hughes, H.J., Hayes, C.M., Chen, J., Payton, P.R. 2022. Genetics of enhanced sink capacity in sorghum. Crop Science Society of America.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Sorghum is an integral crop component of climate smart and resilient agricultural systems. However, there is a continuing need to improve sorghum yield for enhanced productivity. A major target trait for sorghum yield improvement is increased grain number. Here, we report on evaluation of sorghum near isogenic lines [introgressed with multiseeded gene 1 and 2 (msd1 and msd2)] that display more than double the seed number in contrast to their wild type counterparts and a commercial check. Field genetic studies indicated that msd1 and msd2 genes have positive effects on harvest index (HI) in RTx430 genetic background, coupled with increased grain size and significant elevation of grain yield /panicle. Meanwhile, BTx399 NILs maintained HI value compared to wild type genetic stock and check. These results demonstrate an interplay between specific gene and overall genetic/physiological background as major consideration for deployment of improved target traits through molecular breeding.