Researchers find a genetic solution to ensure sorghum stands firm
3 Apr, 2021 07:00 PM
3 minutes to read
Professor David Jordan views sorghum crop at the Gatton Research Facility. Photo / Supplied
The Country
After decades of study, University of Queensland researchers have identified a genetic solution to the problem of sorghum lodging and falling down.
Lodging was when the stems of plants carrying high grain yields were weakened by loss of water, Professor David Jordan from UQ's Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation explained.
The problem affects 10 per cent of sorghum crops each year.
"Losing a bumper grain crop because plants fall over is heartbreaking for growers and undermines efforts to increase production to improve food security," Jordan said.