Sorghum Genomics for Nutritional Traits Improvement

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is an important millet crop, particularly in drought affected regions. Enhancing its nutritional profile is vital for addressing global malnutrition challenges. This chapter unveils the present state of sorghum genomic research focused on enhancing key nutritional attributes. Modern genomic studies have identified significant genetic variation in sorghum accessions, revealing loci associated with improved grain nutritional content, including protein, zinc, calcium, and manganese. Researchers are emphasizing the importance of genetic diversity in sorghum breeding programs. Utilizing molecular markers, studies have demonstrated the efficacy in assessing genetic diversity, which is crucial for developing nutritionally enriched sorghum varieties. The combination of genomic tools with traditional breeding methods accelerates the development of sorghum varieties with enhanced nutritional value. These prospects also include the application of advanced gene-editing techniques such as CRISPR–Cas9 to precisely improve nutritional traits. These advancements hold significant promise for addressing malnutrition challenges in resource-limited regions.