RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

摘要

Given that water resources are becoming increasingly scarce, investigating strategies to produce more food with less water should be a priority. Lopez et al. discovered quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for stomatal conductance, crown root angle, and maturity. The QTL for stomatal conductance was associated with partial stomatal clo- sure, but not with reductions in carbon assimilation. A QTL for crown root angle new to sorghum was identified on chromosome 3, which could lead to the development of deeper rooting genotypes. Lopez et al. also identified QTLs for maturity including the well-known Ma1 gene, but also other loci that possibly interact with Ma1. The QTLs identified in this study provide a foundation for identifying specific genes that could improve the efficient use of water in sorghum crop- ping systems.