A comprehensive omics resource and genetic tools for functional genomics research and genetic improvement of sorghum.

Sorghum, the fifth most important food crop globally, serves not only as a source of silage forage, fiber, syrup, and biofuel, but also is widely recognized as an ideal model crop for studying stress biology due to its exceptional ability to tolerate multiple abiotic stresses, including high salt-alkali conditions, drought, and heat. However, conducting functional genomics studies on sorghum has been challenging, primarily due to the limited availability of genetic resources and effective genetic transformation techniques. In this study, we developed a comprehensive and systematic resource platform (https://sorghum.

Resistance to Striga parasitism through reduction of strigolactone exudation.

Parasitism with Striga poses a major threat to global food production. Striga germination and growth rely on strigolactones (SLs) exuded by crop roots under phosphate (Pi)-deficient conditions, although the mechanism of this host-parasite interaction remains elusive. In this study, transcriptomic and functional analyses of sorghum treated with Pi deficiency or the SL GR24 identify two ABC transporter G (ABCG) transporters of SL, Sorghum biocolor strigolactones transporter 1 (SbSLT1) and SbSLT2.

Genetic architecture and molecular regulation of sorghum domestication.

Over time, wild crops have been domesticated by humans, and the knowledge gained from parallel selection and convergent domestication-related studies in cereals has contributed to current techniques used in molecular plant breeding. Sorghum ( (L.) Moench) is the world's fifth-most popular cereal crop and was one of the first crops cultivated by ancient farmers.

ZmbHLH124 identified in maize recombinant inbred lines contributes to drought tolerance in crops.

Due to climate change, drought has become a severe abiotic stress that affects the global production of all crops. Elucidation of the complex physiological mechanisms underlying drought tolerance in crops will support the cultivation of new drought-tolerant crop varieties. Here, two drought-tolerant lines, RIL70 and RIL73, and two drought-sensitive lines, RIL44 and RIL93, from recombinant inbred lines (RIL) generated from maize drought-tolerant line PH4CV and drought-sensitive line F9721, were selected for a comparative RNA-seq study.

Effective identification of soybean candidate genes involved in resistance to soybean cyst nematode via direct whole genome re-sequencing of two segregating mutants.

Three soybean candidate genes involved in resistance to soybean cyst nematode race 4 were identified via direct whole genome re-sequencing of two segregating mutants. The genes conferring resistance to soybean cyst nematode (SCN) race 4 (Hg type 1.2.

Isolation and characterization of Aspergillus niger NBC001 underlying suppression against Heterodera glycines.

Heterodera glycines is the most pervasive soybean pests worldwide. Biocontrol provides a strategy to sustainably control nematodes. In this study, 22 fungal isolates were obtained and identified from cysts of Heterodera spp.