Dissection of canopy layer-specific genetic control of leaf angle in Sorghum bicolor by RNA sequencing.

Background: Leaf angle is an important plant architecture trait, affecting plant density, light interception efficiency, photosynthetic rate, and yield. The "smart canopy" model proposes more vertical leaves in the top plant layers and more horizontal leaves in the lower canopy, maximizing conversion efficiency and photosynthesis. Sorghum leaf arrangement is opposite to that proposed in the "smart canopy" model, indicating the need for improvement.

Toward "Smart Canopy" Sorghum: Discovery of the Genetic Control of Leaf Angle Across Layers.

A "smart canopy" ideotype has been proposed with leaves being upright at the top and more horizontal toward the bottom of the plant to maximize light interception and conversion efficiencies, and thus increasing yield. The genetic control of leaf angle has, to date, been studied on one or two leaves, or data have been merged from multiple leaves to generate average values. This approach has limited our understanding of the diversity of leaf angles across layers and their genetic control.

Differential manipulation of leaf angle throughout the canopy: current status and prospects.

Leaf angle is defined as the inclination between the midrib of the leaf blade and the vertical stem of a plant. This trait has been identified as a key component in the development of high-yielding varieties of cereal species, particularly maize, rice, wheat, and sorghum. The effect of leaf angle on light interception efficiency, photosynthetic rate, and yield has been investigated since the 1960s, yet, significant knowledge gaps remain in understanding the genetic control of this complex trait.

Genome-Wide Association Study for Nine Plant Architecture Traits in Sorghum.

Sorghum [ (L) Moench], an important grain and forage crop, is receiving significant attention as a lignocellulosic feedstock because of its water-use efficiency and high biomass yield potential. Because of the advancement of genotyping and sequencing technologies, genome-wide association study (GWAS) has become a routinely used method to investigate the genetic mechanisms underlying natural phenotypic variation. In this study, we performed a GWAS for nine grain and biomass-related plant architecture traits to determine their overall genetic architecture and the specific association of allelic variants in gibberellin (GA) biosynthesis and signaling genes with these phenotypes.

Association mapping of brassinosteroid candidate genes and plant architecture in a diverse panel of Sorghum bicolor.

This first association analysis between plant architecture and BR candidate genes in sorghum suggests that natural allelic variation has significant and pleiotropic effects on plant architecture phenotypes. Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench is a self-pollinated species traditionally used as a staple crop for human consumption and as a forage crop for livestock feed. Recently, sorghum has received attention as a bioenergy crop due to its water use efficiency and biomass yield potential.