Plants use non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) to protect themselves from light-induced damage by dissipating excess energy as heat, and genetic studies in crops like maize and sorghum have identified key genes regulating NPQ, offering potential for improving photosynthetic efficiency and yield.
Improving iWUE in sorghum involves balancing water conservation and productivity through genetic traits, particularly aquaporin-linked mechanisms, that enhance photosynthesis and hydraulic efficiency under varying water conditions.
Researchers showed that mutating the Lsi1 Si transporter in sorghum increases lignin content in mature plants, suggesting a compensatory response for reduced silica that could be useful in developing bioenergy crops with optimized lignin and lower Si content.
Researchers revealed that lncRNAs, particularly lncRNA 15962 and lncRNA 11558, play critical roles in regulating cell wall metabolism and Cd transporter gene expression, respectively, contributing to Cd stress responses in sweet sorghum.
The sbyr1 mutant in sorghum, with a Thr4Met mutation in the SbYR1 NLR protein, enhances resistance to head smut disease while inhibiting growth by regulating hormone synthesis and flavonoid metabolism.
Tropical soils’ low phosphate availability and aluminum toxicity constrain sorghum cultivation, making P efficiency and root system architecture critical for enhancing grain yield in these challenging environments.
