QTL mapping and validation of fertility restoration in West African sorghum A cytoplasm and identification of a potential causative mutation for Rf.

Key message Major A cytoplasm fertility restoration loci, Rf and Rf , were found in the West African sorghum. A potential causative mutation for Rf was identified. KASP markers were validated on independent material.

Overcoming Phosphorus Deficiency in West African Pearl Millet and Production Systems: Promising Options for Crop Improvement.

West Africa (WA) is among the most food insecure regions. Rapid human population growth and stagnating crop yields greatly contribute to this fact. Poor soil fertility, especially low plant available phosphorus (P) is constraining food production in the region.

Duplicate and conquer: multiple homologs of PHOSPHORUS-STARVATION TOLERANCE1 enhance phosphorus acquisition and sorghum performance on low-phosphorus soils.

Low soil phosphorus (P) availability is a major constraint for crop production in tropical regions. The rice (Oryza sativa) protein kinase, PHOSPHORUS-STARVATION TOLERANCE1 (OsPSTOL1), was previously shown to enhance P acquisition and grain yield in rice under P deficiency. We investigated the role of homologs of OsPSTOL1 in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) performance under low P.

Two in one sweep: aluminum tolerance and grain yield in P-limited soils are associated to the same genomic region in West African sorghum.

Background: Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) productivity is severely impeded by low phosphorus (P) and aluminum (Al) toxic soils in sub-Saharan Africa and especially West Africa (WA). Improving productivity of this staple crop under these harsh conditions is crucial to improve food security and farmer's incomes in WA.