Investment
Investment
GRDC Code: UOQ2306-012RTX
Better Sorghum through Gene Editing: larger grain with higher and more digestible protein (POC)
Feed grains are utilised primarily as a source of energy, with most of the energy derived from the starch, and the grain protein characteristics usually of only secondary importance. The required protein in feed formulations usually is provided through supplementation from crops such as imported soybean meal or lupin, which end up representing a more expensive input per unit of metabolisable energy for livestock and poultry. Sorghum is a popular feed grain, however, the seed storage protein in sorghum is notorious for low digestibility and can have adverse impacts on starch availability. In addition, small or variable grain size, a common problem in sorghum, results in yield losses to the farmer and higher processing costs for feed rations and human food uses. This investment builds on knowledge generated in GRDC project UOQ1806-004RTX and aims to use gene editing approaches towards developing non-GMO sorghum hybrids with larger grain that has higher and more digestible protein, to increase grower profitability.
- Project start date:
- 01/06/2023
- Project end date:
- 31/01/2025
- Crop type:
-
- Sorghum, (Cereal)
- Organisation
- The University of Queensland
- Region:
- North
- Project status
-
Active