Overcoming interspecific barriers in Sorghum and molecular characterization of the derivatives

Abstract

Crop improvement in sorghum has progressed extensively availing the variation available in the primary gene pool of S. bicolor. Crossing further, the yield plateau can be accomplished by bringing in the genes from tertiary gene pool into the cultivated gene pool. Earlier efforts for wide hybridization in sorghum with tertiary gene pool were not successful due to inhibition of wild pollen germination on the stigma of cultivated species. In the current study, elite lines of cultivated Sorghum species were pollinated with wild species using different floral treatments. The results showed that spray with the synthetic auxin, 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, has promoted the seed set. Overall, 76% crosses showed seed set, but many seeds were underdeveloped and deformed. F1 progeny showed traits of both cultivated and wild parents. Hybrids were confirmed through PCR analysis. Many (80%) F1 plants were sterile, and 20% of F1s were advanced to F2 generation. Wide variation was observed in F2 progeny, and the phenotype selections were made and are being evaluated in the field.

Unveiling the Antioxidant Arsenal of Colored Sorghum: A Path to Functional Food Development

“…A wide range of synthetic antioxidant compounds like butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) are reported to be carcinogenic [30,31] and hence have only been employed in a few cases [32]. Screening natural antioxidants from plant sources needs to be undertaken in a more efficient way, In India, only the white and yellow grains of sorghum are used as food, though interspecific and intergeneric crosses in sorghum with a range of colored lines with a good yield are being developed [33,34].…”