In a recent trio of studies, a team led by CSIC researcher Ana I. Caño-Delgado at CRAG has made remarkable strides in understanding the molecular mechanisms behind sorghum’s resilience and improving its breeding. Sorghum, the world’s fifth most cultivated cereal, plays a vital role in arid and semi-arid regions, offering a sustainable solution for areas facing water scarcity and holding promise for both human and animal nutrition.
Rising Importance of Sorghum
Sorghum is gaining recognition as a key staple food worldwide, particularly beyond Africa where it has been a long-standing crop. With its numerous nutritional benefits and ability to withstand harsh climatic conditions, its role in agriculture is becoming more critical, according to a press release.
In Europe, sorghum production is expanding, especially in water-scarce areas, where it is being promoted as part of crop rotation strategies. Over the past decade, the European Union has seen a 57% increase in sorghum production, with France leading the way — dedicating 103,000 hectares to grain sorghum cultivation in 2024. Spain, a major importer of sorghum, primarily for animal feed, is also exploring the potential of cultivating sorghum for human consumption. In 2020, Spain imported 158,000 tonnes of sorghum, and increasing domestic production could reduce dependence on imports, especially when considering that the country imported 303,000 tonnes of barley in just the past six months.
CRAG’s Pioneering Contributions to Sorghum Science
CRAG’s research, led by Ana I. Caño-Delgado, is advancing sorghum science, focusing on stress tolerance and breeding improvements. With two decades of expertise and several grants, including an ERC PoC, their recent work has produced three groundbreaking studies with significant industry potential.
In their first published study in Plant Biotechnology Journal, the team identified how mutations in the Sorghum bicolor brassinosteroid receptor (SbBRI1) gene enhance drought resistance by altering phenylpropanoid metabolism. This discovery uncovers a key molecular mechanism to improve sorghum’s drought resilience — an essential trait for climate-adaptive agriculture.
The second study, published in The Plant Journal, introduces a major advancement in sorghum biotechnology: a highly efficient transformation method using a ternary vector system combined with morphogenic regulators. This new technique addresses a longstanding challenge in sorghum research, as previous methods were insufficient for transforming certain varieties. The breakthrough protocol utilizes Agrobacterium tumefaciens, boosting the transformation efficiency by twofold. This technology paves the way for more precise genetic modifications, including gene editing, and will expedite sorghum breeding for improved varieties.
“Our goal was to equip the sorghum community with not only cutting-edge molecular tools to accelerate sorghum breeding but also some key target genes essential for developing drought-resistant crops,” Juan B. Fontanet-Manzaneque, lead author of both studies, said.
The third study, published March 13 in New Phytologist Journal, explores the role of SbBRI1 in root development, particularly in the meristem region. This research connects BRI1 to cell wall metabolism and reveals that the sorghum SbBRI1 protein plays conserved functional roles in plant growth and development. Root development is vital for the overall health and growth of the plant, influencing how it responds to environmental stressors.
“We adapted the staining and imaging protocols that are used in model plants like Arabidopsis to be useful for studies in sorghum, Andrés Rico-Medina, first author of the study, said. “This adaptation serves to bridge the gap between laboratory-based drought studies and a more agronomic context, thereby facilitating the practical application of these scientific advancements.”
Socio-Economic and Political Implications
Sorghum is gaining recognition as a vital crop for climate change adaptation due to its drought and heat tolerance, outpacing maize, which is more vulnerable to water stress. Its growing importance in Europe, particularly in Spain, creates economic opportunities by reducing import reliance and boosting local production. In Catalonia, over 100,000 tonnes were produced in 2023, mostly for animal feed. Additionally, sorghum’s gluten-free nature and nutritional benefits make it key to improving food security, with a 6% rise in demand for human consumption expected in 2024.
“This research represents a significant opportunity for CRAG to establish technology transfer projects, to encourage public-private collaboration, and to highlight the excellent work of our researchers,” Caño-Delgado said.
