@article{boyles_pfeiffer_cooper_rauh_zielinski_myers_brenton_rooney_kresovich_2017, title={Genetic dissection of sorghum grain quality traits using diverse and segregating populations}, volume={130}, ISSN={["1432-2242"]}, DOI={10.1007/s00122-016-2844-6}, abstractNote={Coordinated association and linkage mapping identified 25 grain quality QTLs in multiple environments, and fine mapping of the Wx locus supports the use of high-density genetic markers in linkage mapping. There is a wide range of end-use products made from cereal grains, and these products often demand different grain characteristics. Fortunately, cereal crop species including sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] contain high phenotypic variation for traits influencing grain quality. Identifying genetic variants underlying this phenotypic variation allows plant breeders to develop genotypes with grain attributes optimized for their intended usage. Multiple sorghum mapping populations were rigorously phenotyped across two environments (SC Coastal Plain and Central TX) in 2 years for five major grain quality traits: amylose, starch, crude protein, crude fat, and gross energy. Coordinated association and linkage mapping revealed several robust QTLs that make prime targets to improve grain quality for food, feed, and fuel products. Although the amylose QTL interval spanned many megabases, the marker with greatest significance was located just 12 kb from waxy (Wx), the primary gene regulating amylose production in cereal grains. This suggests higher resolution mapping in recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations can be obtained when genotyped at a high marker density. The major QTL for crude fat content, identified in both a RIL population and grain sorghum diversity panel, encompassed the DGAT1 locus, a critical gene involved in maize lipid biosynthesis. Another QTL on chromosome 1 was consistently mapped in both RIL populations for multiple grain quality traits including starch, crude protein, and gross energy. Collectively, these genetic regions offer excellent opportunities to manipulate grain composition and set up future studies for gene validation.}, number={4}, journal={THEORETICAL AND APPLIED GENETICS}, author={Boyles, Richard E. and Pfeiffer, Brian K. and Cooper, Elizabeth A. and Rauh, Bradley L. and Zielinski, Kelsey J. and Myers, Matthew T. and Brenton, Zachary and Rooney, William L. and Kresovich, Stephen}, year={2017}, month={Apr}, pages={697–716} }
 @article{boyles_pfeiffer_cooper_zielinski_myers_rooney_kresovich_2017, title={Quantitative trait loci mapping of agronomic and yield traits in two grain sorghum biparental families}, volume={57}, DOI={10.2135/cropsci2016.12.0988}, abstractNote={The animal industry is a major sector of agriculture in the southeastern United States, but a large deficit exists in regional feed grains needed to support the industry. An increase in production of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], a water‐ and nutrient‐use‐efficient cereal, on marginal lands could lead to an alternative crop option for growers and reduce the current grain deficit. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping of grain yield components in two sorghum biparental recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations was performed to better understand the genetic basis of grain yield and characterize these traits in a marginal environment. A more robust knowledge of the genetics underlying these complex traits could provide insights into molecular breeding strategies that aim to increase genetic gain. Specific yield traits investigated were grain number per primary panicle (GNP), 1000‐grain weight (TGW), and grain yield per primary panicle (YPP). Two‐year phenotyping in the South Carolina coastal plain revealed greater than threefold variation for both GNP and YPP, whereas TGW variation was just above twofold in both RIL families. There were 16 total yield trait QTL identified across both populations. Of the 16, eight QTL colocated with previously published QTL for yield‐related traits, including a QTL on chromosome 1 that was significant for all three grain yield components. A novel QTL for TGW was identified on chromosome 5 that explained >21% of the phenotypic variance observed in one RIL population. This QTL and the seven additional novel QTL identified in this study provide new targets for grain yield improvement in sorghum.}, number={5}, journal={Crop Science}, author={Boyles, R. E. and Pfeiffer, B. K. and Cooper, E. A. and Zielinski, K. J. and Myers, M. T. and Rooney, W. L. and Kresovich, S.}, year={2017}, pages={2443–2456} }