Biotech Updates

Partnership Provides Incentives to Sorghum

August 19, 2011

Representatives from Embrapa Maize and Sorghum, the Secretary of State for Science, Technology and Higher Education of Minas Gerais, and representatives from Federal University of Vicosa and University Uberlandia met with Purdue University scientists headed by Cynthia Daniels for the implementation of a partnership agreement to pursue research and training program for the development of bioenergy.

"The agreement will focus on the mutual interest of the institutions, which is the development of sorghum lines that have a better ability to convert biomass into ethanol second generation," said Cynthia Daniels.

The Embrapa team will be conducting research relating to the characterization of sorghum for high biomass production of second generation ethanol including lignocellulose. The institute has a large collection of sorghum germplasm that originated from various countries, as well as varieties and elite lines of sorghum and sorghum hybrids which are excellent producers of lignocellulosic feedstocks. Purdue University on the other hand will provide technical expertise in the production of biofuels from lignocellulosic materials.

The original news in Spanish can be viewed at http://www.embrapa.br/embrapa/imprensa/noticias/2011/agosto/3a-semana/parceria-preve-estimulos-ao-sorgo-sacarino.