Genetic Transformation and Breeding

Sorghum is a major human staple in the semi-arid tropics, and is also a good model for related species with larger genomes, such as maize and sugarcane. Hence sorghum genome resources have been well-developed. Unfortunately, sorghum genetic transformation has been largely neglected, and has historically lagged behind the other “Big 5" cereals. Until recently, sorghum has been regarded as a largely recalcitrant cereal for biotechnological approaches to its improvement. Thanks to efforts made by transformation teams in Nebraska, California and Queensland, more highly efficient sorghum transformation is now a reality, with good transformation systems available using microprojectiles and Agrobacterium. The future for GM sorghums is now much brighter, and applications for basic biology and the improvement of sorghum agronomically and for specific end-uses is now becoming an integral part of many sorghum improvement programs