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Association mapping and candidate gene identification for drought tolerance in sorghum
Huiting Min1,2, Kang Wang1,2, Tiantian Wang1,2
1College of Agriculture, Anhui Science and Technology University, Chuzhou, Anhui, China.
Frontiers in Plant Science
|August 11, 2025
Summary
This study identified novel drought-tolerance genes in sorghum landraces by evaluating growth under simulated drought. Key genetic loci associated with seedling tolerance coefficient (STC) and root/shoot development were discovered, paving the way for improved crop resilience.
Area of Science:
- Plant science
- Genetics
- Agronomy
Background:
- Drought stress significantly limits crop yield globally.
- Sorghum is a model crop for drought tolerance, with landraces holding valuable genetic diversity.
- Understanding genetic mechanisms of drought tolerance is crucial for crop improvement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify genetic loci and candidate genes associated with drought tolerance in sorghum landraces.
- To evaluate the phenotypic responses of sorghum landraces to simulated drought stress.
- To provide a foundation for characterizing novel drought-tolerant genes in sorghum.
Main Methods:
- Phenotypic evaluation of a sorghum mini core panel (239 landraces) under simulated drought (10% and 20% polyethylene glycol).
- Measurement of shoot and root growth, and seedling tolerance coefficient (STC).
- Genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify genetic loci linked to drought tolerance traits.
Main Results:
- Differential root and shoot growth responses to polyethylene glycol (PEG) concentrations were observed.
- GWAS identified 22 loci associated with growth and STC traits, with 17 linked to shoot weight STC.
- Eleven loci collocated with previously identified drought-related quantitative trait loci (QTLs), and 19 candidate genes were identified.
Conclusions:
- Sorghum landraces exhibit adaptable growth responses to drought stress.
- This study identified significant genetic loci and candidate genes for sorghum drought tolerance.
- The findings facilitate further research into novel drought-resilient genes in sorghum.
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