Project Number: 6208-21000-015-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Jun 10, 2004
End Date: Feb 29, 2008

Objective:
Sorghum production in semi-arid regions is vulnerable to loss from drought and thermal stress (heat and cold). Superior genetic resources and technology are required to reduce the risk of loss from weather damage and water deficit. The proposed research will identify sorghum tolerance mechanisms to weather stress, determine the genetic variation for stress tolerance, and develop new selection tools for genetic improvement.

Approach:
The research will (1) develop methods to identify physiological mechanisms that limit or improve sorghum tolerance to extreme temperature and water deficit, (2) develop molecular genetic strategies to identify new tools to improve sorghum tolerance to weather stress, and (3) assess genetic variability of sorghum germplasm and enhance genetic tolerance for extreme temperatures and water deficit.