News

USDA Scientists Discover Gene in Sorghum to Boost Yields

USDA Scientists Discover Gene in Sorghum to Boost Yields

Photo: WNAX


Scientists with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service have discovered genes in sorghum that can double the amount of grain the plant produces. Nebraska Sorghum Producers Association and Sorghum Board Executive Director Nate Blum says they’re about these findings and it’s tied to a gene known as MSD1.

He says increasing yield is important for sorghum producers but so is developing processing facilities to make the crop more valuable.

Blum says the hope is the research findings may entice more growers to plant sorghum.

The ARS scientists also noted the gene they discovered could lead to higher yields in other crops such as corn, wheat and rice.

Recent Headlines

4 days ago in Local

MONUMENT COULD LOSE MILLIONS DUE TO SANFORD HEALTH EXPANSION

RAPID CITY, SD (Bart Pfankuch / South Dakota News Watch) – Monument Health could lose $40 million a year in…

4 days ago in Local

CHINA SOYBEAN PLEDGE LIFTS PRICES, BUT SOUTH DAKOTA FARMERS STILL NERVOUS

SOUTH DAKOTA (Joshua Haiar / South Dakota Searchlight) – South Dakota soybean industry leaders said Monday that a new trade pledge…

5 days ago in Local

FEEDING SOUTH DAKOTA DISTRIBUTES THANSGIVING MEALS

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Feeding South Dakota has been distributing Thanksgiving Meals all month long to those…

5 days ago in Local

SOUTH DAKOTA CONTINUES TO INCENTIVIZE DAIRIES AS INDUSTRY STRUGGLES TO FIND WORKERS

SOUTH DAKOTA (Makenzie Huber / South Dakota Searchlight) – As some South Dakota dairy farmers struggle to find workers and as…

5 days ago in Local

DCI INVESTIGATES OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING IN BERESFORD, SD

BERESFORD, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley says the Division of Criminal Investigation is looking into an officer-involved shooting…