Department of Agronomy

Sorghum Breeding, Genetics, & Genomics

The goal of the K-State sorghum breeding program is to develop and release elite sorghum parental lines, germplasm, and hybrids that possess traits desired by the sorghum community in the Great Plains. The program particularly targets traits that:

  • Enhance drought, chilling and heat tolerance, and biotic stress
  • Show greater lodging tolerance
  • Allow development and adoption of specialty foods
  • Offer resistance-based weed control options
  • Improve overall productivity and utilization of sorghum
  • Enhance the nutritional value of sorghum as human food and animal feed

To achieve this, we employ molecular, biochemical, and conventional breeding tools to identify desired genotypes. We operate in partnership with a multi-disciplinary team of researchers with diverse expertise including genetics, plant pathology, entomology, physiology, grain science, cereal chemistry, and bio-processing. We continue to utilize the platform created by the Center for Sorghum Improvement and the Kansas State University Targeted Excellence Program to further enhance our partnership and collaboration to better target outstanding constraints and also exploit new opportunities (new tools and new uses of the crop) to enhance the competitiveness of the sorghum industry in the region.

In addition, our program has a strong desire to engage in international sorghum research activities. Our international effort will focus on development and deployment of sorghum varieties and hybrids that are tolerant to drought, low input conditions, and major biotic stresses constraining sorghum productivity in developing countries. Apart from addressing food insecurities in the developing world, this effort will contribute to enhancing the value of sorghum as an international commodity.

We also develop novel methods that utilize cutting edge genetic and genomic tools to conduct complex trait dissection and plant breeding. Current research includes:

  • Molecular mapping of complex traits in sorghum (i.e., drought and chilling tolerance, plant architecture)
  • Mixed model association mapping methods in genome-wide analyses of complex traits
  • Genome-wide selection methods that incorporate marker technology into practical breeding processes
  • Biochemical analysis and spectroscopy for characterization of sorghum grain for various biochemical and nutritional attributes

Research Faculty