Biotech Updates

Genetic Improvement of Sorghum for Biofuel Production

July 27, 2016
http://www.sciencenewsline.com/news/2016071316180033.html

A new research from the University of Florida, Washington State University, USDA-ARS and the University of Missouri evaluated how genetic improvement of certain sorghum traits could maximize sorghum as a bioenergy crop.

The research team focused on disease resistance, flooding tolerance and cell wall composition as targets for improving sorghum for production of renewable fuels and chemicals.

Improving disease resistance would help expand sorghum to low-productivity land while flood resistance would allow sorghum to be grown on flood-prone areas. Making changes in sorghum's cell wall composition, on the other hand, could greatly increase the yield of fermentable sugars that can then be converted to fuels.