Genetic architecture and molecular regulation of sorghum domestication

Abstract

Over time, wild crops have been domesticated by humans, and the knowledge gained from parallel selection and convergent domestication-related studies in cereals has contributed to current techniques used in molecular plant breeding. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is the world’s fifth-most popular cereal crop and was one of the first crops cultivated by ancient farmers. In recent years, genetic and genomic studies have provided a better understanding of sorghum domestication and improvements. Here, we discuss the origin, diversification, and domestication processes of sorghum based on archeological discoveries and genomic analyses. This review also comprehensively summarized the genetic basis of key genes related to sorghum domestication and outlined their molecular mechanisms. It highlights that the absence of a domestication bottleneck in sorghum is the result of both evolution and human selection. Additionally, understanding beneficial alleles and their molecular interactions will allow us to quickly design new varieties by further de novo domestication.

Sorghum: A Multipurpose Crop

“…Developing light-insensitive varieties that allow for earlier flowering when grown at higher latitudes, such as temperate zones, can avoid drought or low temperatures during the reproductive period and reduce yield losses. Among the multiple loci localized in the sorghum genome that control flowering time, six loci have the greatest effect on flowering time and maturity ( Ma1 to Ma6 ). ,,, If the recessive alleles of these six loci are used to breed early flowering varieties that can flower earlier under long daylight conditions, sorghum can then be promoted in temperate regions …”

“…Tiller number is one of the important factors affecting the quality of silage sorghum, and increasing tillering affects the overall plant structure and increases the total biomass. In the process of sorghum domestication and improvement, the SbTB1 gene was found to affect sorghum plant structure and regulate shoot growth and sorghum tillering . Chen et al identified that the mutation in the SbNAB1 gene resulted in increased number of tillers, reduced plant height and increased axillary buds in sorghum, which was beneficial for yield improvement.…”

“…Among the multiple loci localized in the sorghum genome that control flowering time, six loci have the greatest effect on flowering time and maturity (Ma1 to Ma6). 49,50,70,71 If the recessive alleles of these six loci are used to breed early flowering varieties that can flower earlier under long daylight conditions, sorghum can then be promoted in temperate regions. 70 Compared with energy sorghum and silage sorghum, dwarfing is a common breeding goal of grain sorghum.…”

“…Many countries have currently formulated policies to encourage the use of bioenergy. ,,, Sweet sorghum stalks contain high levels of sugar and have high biomass for bioenergy production. Compared to plants such as corn and sugar beets, sweet sorghum has a shorter growth cycle and lower water requirements as a bioenergy source, making it more resilient and less costly to grow. − Especially for use in marginal areas such as arid lands and saline lands, it provides a valuable opportunity to produce large amounts of biomass with fewer inputs. − At the same time, due to its versatility, sorghum germplasm has currently been developed for multipurpose production that can alleviate the conflict between bioenergy production and food security. , Therefore, the sorghum varieties represented by sweet sorghum are particularly suitable for bioenergy production.…”

“…44−48 At the same time, due to its versatility, sorghum germplasm has currently been developed for multipurpose production that can alleviate the conflict between bioenergy production and food security. 19,49 Therefore, the sorghum varieties represented by sweet sorghum are particularly suitable for bioenergy production. Traits that need to be improved in the domestication and breeding of sorghum for different purposes.…”