Epicuticular Wax and Anthracnose Resistance in Sorghum
Study sheds light on the role of epicuticular wax in regulating disease response.
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A sorghum MYB transcription factor was studied under salt stress conditions. Overexpression reduces biomass accumulation and salinity tolerance, while loss of function leads to longer roots and increased salt tolerance.
Using genetic mapping and sequence comparisons, Mewa et al. identified a single ANTHRACNOSE RESISTANCE GENE 2 (ARG2) in SC328C, which encodes a nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) protein that produces resistance to certain Cs strains.
The Ethopian sorghum crop is extremely genetically diverse and exhibits a large phenotypic variation. The fact that the germplasm is also widely adapted to both biotic and abiotic stresses makes it a valuable resource for enhancing desirable traits.
Researchers investigated 75 lines of sweet sorghum for phenotypic and genetic variability and found significant differences, which present opportunities for heterotic cross-breeding.