Sorghum Genetic Enhancement

The estimated present value (US$42 million) of the proposed ILRI/ICRISAT/NARS collaborative research project on genetic improvement of millet and sorghum crop residues indicates fairly attractive returns, even with the cautious assumption made about likely adoption rates and the scope of the benefits (i.e. only meat and milk production in cattle in India). The estimated IRR to this research investment (28%) can be compared to market rates on alternative investments. Most longer-run, low-risk, private-sector investments yield rates of return three times as high as alternative investments. However, this raises the question of what is an appropriate rate of return to expect from 'public'good' type of investment such as the investment in international development oriented research. The same methodological approach was recently used (Kristjanson et al 1999) to estimate potential returns to a similary challenging crop-livestock research area, a vaccine against potential returns to a similarly challenging crop-livestock research area, a vaccine against trypanosomosis (a serious livestock disease that poses the greatest development constraint to mixed livestock-crop systems across Africa). Potential returns to this research were estimated at US$ 118 million, with an IRR of 25%, and a benefit:cost ratio of 15:1. In a comparison of predicted rates of return across 5 crop-livestock related research areas at ILRI, potential research benefits were estimated to outweigh the costs of the research by between 9 and 37 times. Returns of similar magnitudes have also been estimated for other crop improvement research. In an economic analysis of returns to 15 research themes at the Centro International de la Papa (CIP) the NPVs ranged from US$ 1 million to US$ 195 million (average US$ 67 million), with IRRs ranging from 13% to 51% (Walker and Collion 1997). ICRISAT ranked returns to 110 different research areas as part of their research priority-setting process several years ago. The average NPV, net benefit:cost ratio and IRR for the top 20 of those were US$ 61 million (with a range from US$ 8 million to US$ 265 million), 52:1 and 39%, respectively (Kelley et al 1995). Thus it appears that the magnitude of returns predicted in this study are very much in line with returns to similar research investments.

Genetic Enhancement of Rabi Sorghum – Adapting the Indian Durras presents both the historical background and the recent research done in breeding this important world crop for more global production. Its chapters cover topics in origin and taxonomy, morphology and breeding behavior, genetics, and cytogenetics, also looking at production, nutrition, and alternate uses. The durra race is Ethiopian in origin and its introgression with wild forms permitted adaptation to drier conditions. These have migrated and adapted to the currently known crop that is cultivated in the winter season and commonly called rabi sorghums. Grown under receding soil moisture conditions, rabi sorghums have tolerance to abiotic stresses apart from biotic stresses, unlike the rainy sorghums that are grown widely in the world. However, they must be more resilient to rapid changes in climate, for example. The variability from winter sorghums is being introgressed into rainy sorghums. With the yield plateaus reached and sorghum gaining importance as a food crop, this book will be of importance to those studying durras and their breeding. Presents both the historical background and most recent research done in breeding rabi sorghum for more global production Provides information on the adaptation of the crop and the ways it has migrated to the currently known crop, which is cultivated in winter season and commonly called as rabi sorghum Explores strategies for resilience as the crop must be prepared to withstand rapid and varying changes in climate

Breeding Sorghum for Diverse End Uses is a comprehensive overview of all significant global efforts for the genetic improvement of sorghum, a major crop of many semi-arid nations that is suitable for a huge range of uses, from human food, to biofuels. Split into two main sections, the book initially reviews the genetic suitability of sorghum for breeding, also providing the history of the genetic improvement of the grain. Finally, other sections look at specific breeding programs that could be improved in a number of areas, including human food, animal feed and industrial usage. Readers in academics, research, plant genetics and sorghum development will find this resource of great value. In addition, it is essential reading for engineers who utilize sorghum for food, feed and industrial materials in industry. Provides information on key advances in the genetic makeup of sorghum Allows plant breeders to apply this research to effectively breed new strains of sorghum that are dependent on final usage goals Includes the latest findings in each section to orient researchers to plans for future genetic enhancement

Millets and sorghum are extremely important crops in many developing nations and because of the ability of many of them to thrive in low-moisture situations they represent some exciting opportunities for further development to address the continuing and increasing impact of global temperature increase on the sustainability of the world’s food crops. The main focus of this thorough new book is the potential for crop improvement through new and traditional methods, with the book’s main chapters covering the following crops: sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet, foxtail milet, proso millet, little millet, barnyard millet, kodo millet, tef and fonio. Further chapters cover pests and diseases, nutritional and industrial importance, novel tools for improvement, and seed systems in millets. Millets and Sorghum provides full and comprehensive coverage of these crucially important crops, their biology, world status and potential for improvement, and is an essential purchase for crop and plant scientists, and food scientists and technologists throughout the developed and developing world. All libraries in universities and research establishment where biological and agricultural sciences are studied and taught should have copies of this important book on their shelves.

Sorghum is among the top five cereals and one of the key crops in global food security efforts. Sorghum is a resilient crop under high-stress environments, ensuring productivity and access to food when other crops fail. Scientists see the potential of sorghum as a main staple food in a future challenged by climate change. The contributors provide a comprehensive review of sorghum knowledge. The discussion covers genetic improvements, development of new hybrids, biotechnology, and physiological modifications. Production topics include water and nutrient management, rotations, and pest control. Final end uses, sorghum as a bioenergy crop, markets, and the future of sorghum are presented. IN PRESS! This book is being published according to the “Just Published” model, with more chapters to be published online as they are completed.

Genetic and Genomic Resources For Cereals Improvement is the first book to bring together the latest available genetic resources and genomics to facilitate the identification of specific germplasm, trait mapping, and allele mining that are needed to more effectively develop biotic and abiotic-stress-resistant grains. As grain cereals, including rice, wheat, maize, barley, sorghum, and millets constitute the bulk of global diets, both of vegetarian and non-vegetarian, there is a greater need for further genetic improvement, breeding, and plant genetic resources to secure the future food supply. This book is an invaluable resource for researchers, crop biologists, and students working with crop development and the changes in environmental climate that have had significant impact on crop production. It includes the latest information on tactics that ensure that environmentally robust genes and crops resilient to climate change are identified and preserved. Provides a single-volume resource on the global research work on grain cereals genetics and genomics Presents information for effectively managing and utilizing the genetic resources of this core food supply source Includes coverage of rice, wheat, maize, barley, sorghum, and pearl, finger and foxtail millets