title: A Genomic Resource for the Development, Improvement, and Exploitation of Sorghum for Bioenergy.
abstract: With high productivity and stress tolerance, numerous grass genera of the Andropogoneae have emerged as candidates for bioenergy production. To optimize these candidates, research examining the genetic architecture of yield, carbon partitioning, and composition is required to advance breeding objectives. Significant progress has been made developing genetic and genomic resources for Andropogoneae, and advances in comparative and computational genomics have enabled research examining the genetic basis of photosynthesis, carbon partitioning, composition, and sink strength. To provide a pivotal resource aimed at developing a comparative understanding of key bioenergy traits in the Andropogoneae, we have established and characterized an association panel of 390 racially, geographically, and phenotypically diverse Sorghum bicolor accessions with 232,303 genetic markers. Sorghum bicolor was selected because of its genomic simplicity, phenotypic diversity, significant genomic tools, and its agricultural productivity and resilience. We have demonstrated the value of sorghum as a functional model for candidate gene discovery for bioenergy Andropogoneae by performing genome-wide association analysis for two contrasting phenotypes representing key components of structural and non-structural carbohydrates. We identified potential genes, including a cellulase enzyme and a vacuolar transporter, associated with increased non-structural carbohydrates that could lead to bioenergy sorghum improvement. Although our analysis identified genes with potentially clear functions, other candidates did not have assigned functions, suggesting novel molecular mechanisms for carbon partitioning traits. These results, combined with our characterization of phenotypic and genetic diversity and the public accessibility of each accession and genomic data, demonstrate the value of this resource and provide a foundation for future improvement of sorghum and related grasses for bioenergy production.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Translational Genomics, Clemson University, South Carolina 29634 zwbrent@clemson.edu skresov@clemson.edu.
authors.forename: Zachary W
authors.initials: ZW
authors.lastname: Brenton
authors.affiliation: Institute of Translational Genomics, Clemson University, South Carolina 29634 Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Clemson University, South Carolina 29634.
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.affiliation: Institute of Translational Genomics, Clemson University, South Carolina 29634.
authors.forename: Mathew T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Myers
authors.affiliation: Institute of Translational Genomics, Clemson University, South Carolina 29634 Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Clemson University, South Carolina 29634.
authors.forename: Richard E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Boyles
authors.affiliation: Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri 63132.
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shakoor
authors.affiliation: Institute of Translational Genomics, Clemson University, South Carolina 29634.
authors.forename: Kelsey J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Zielinski
authors.affiliation: Institute of Translational Genomics, Clemson University, South Carolina 29634.
authors.forename: Bradley L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Rauh
authors.affiliation: Institute of Translational Genomics, Clemson University, South Carolina 29634 Department of Mathematical Sciences, Clemson University, South Carolina 29634.
authors.forename: William C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Bridges
authors.affiliation: Department of Agronomy, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506.
authors.forename: Geoffrey P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.affiliation: Institute of Translational Genomics, Clemson University, South Carolina 29634 Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Clemson University, South Carolina 29634 zwbrent@clemson.edu skresov@clemson.edu.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kresovich
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture / Q000379:methods; D031722:Andropogon / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D056804:Biofuels; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000235:genetics; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D002523:Edible Grain / Q000235:genetics; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000235:genetics; D014644:Genetic Variation; D018745:Genome, Plant; D055106:Genome-Wide Association Study; D008957:Models, Genetic; D000069600:Plant Breeding; D006109:Poaceae / Q000235:genetics; D045868:Sorghum / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels; D002241:Carbohydrates; D005819:Genetic Markers
keywords: Bioenergy Association Panel; MPP; Multiparent Advanced Generation Inter-Cross (MAGIC); biomass composition; carbon partitioning; multiparental populations; nonstructural sugars