Improving abiotic stress tolerance in sorghum

Globally sorghum is predominantly grown for grain use, representing the 5th most important cereal crop. Despite its origin in tropical Africa, nowadays a substantial part of the global sorghum harvest is produced in temperate areas. The aim of my project is to analyze the genetic architecture of stress response and adaptation of maturation behavior of sorghum in Central Europe. It comprises assessing the genetic variation for water use efficiency (WUE) and stress response traits in genotypes adapted to European growing conditions by non-invasive phenotyping approaches. In the project GCA, SCA as well as midparent (MPH) and best parent (BPH) heterosis of sub- traits of transpiration, WUE and yield-associated traits will be quantified. In addition, the project aims to understand the role of stomatal regulation in the transpiration response to environmental stress in sorghum. Finally, the genetic architecture of selected traits will be analysed by genome-wide association mapping (GWAS) and a genomic selection model will be trained.