Cornell
University scientists clone aluminum-tolerant gene in sorghum
Dr. Leon Kochian |
It's been estimated that nearly 50% of the world's potentially
arable soil is aluminum-toxic, or saturated with aluminum
ions that damage or kill plants that are grown in aluminum
toxic soil. New research from scientists at the USDA's
Plant, Soil and Nutrition Laboratory at
Cornell University may offer farmers in developing countries
a way to grow aluminum-tolerant sorghum through the discovery
an aluminum-tolerant gene in some lines of sorghum.
Sorghum is one of the world's most important food crops,
ranking fifth behind wheat, oats, corn, and barley. In the
United States, it's grown primarily as animal feed, but in
other parts of the world, sorghum is still a nutritious and
valued food source. This research has potential applications
in countries around the world and may offer new resources
for growing food for an ever-increasing population.
Al tolerant and sensitive RILs from the Embrapa Maize and
Sorghum Institute (Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture research
station). Plots were planted on the same day and are now
near harvest.
The red regions are soils that are highly acidic
(pH < 5)
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