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SbERF60 promotes longer mesocotyls in sorghum

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Research area:biology-genetics

What the study found

The study identified SbERF60, an AP2/ERF transcription factor, as a strong candidate gene for controlling mesocotyl length in sorghum. The authors report that natural variation in its promoter increases SbERF60 expression and is associated with longer mesocotyls.

Why the authors say this matters

The authors conclude that these findings provide genetic insight into mesocotyl length control and identify a target for molecular breeding aimed at improving sorghum deep-seedling emergence. Mesocotyl length is described as important for deep-seedling emergence and grain yield in sorghum.

What the researchers tested

The researchers combined a genome-wide association study, or GWAS, of 232 diverse sorghum accessions with transcriptomic analysis. They examined gene annotation, expression differences between sorghum varieties with contrasting mesocotyl lengths, and transcript levels during mesocotyl development.

What worked and what didn't

SbERF60 was identified as a strong candidate based on its functional annotation, expression patterns, and increased transcript levels during mesocotyl development. Functional validation confirmed that SbERF60 promotes mesocotyl elongation and significantly improves deep-seeding emergence in rice.

What to keep in mind

The abstract does not describe detailed experimental limits or caveats. It also states that the work was done in sorghum, while the functional validation mentioned in the abstract was reported in rice.

Key points

  • SbERF60 was identified as a strong candidate gene linked to mesocotyl length in sorghum.
  • Natural variation in the SbERF60 promoter increased promoter activity and expression.
  • Higher SbERF60 expression was associated with longer mesocotyls.
  • Functional validation showed SbERF60 promotes mesocotyl elongation.
  • The study reports improved deep-seeding emergence in rice after SbERF60 validation.

Disclosure

Research title:
SbERF60 promotes longer mesocotyls in sorghum
Authors:
Lan Ju, Xiaoqiang Cheng, Yao Wang, R X Liu, Haisheng Yan, Yubin Wang, Jianqiang Chu, Fangfang Fan, Xin Lv, Hao Niu, Junai Ping
Institutions:
Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi University, Shanxi University, Shanxi University, Shanxi University, Shanxi University, Shanxi University, Shanxi University, Shanxi University, Shanxi University
Publication date:
2026-06-28
DOI:
10.3390/plants15132000
OpenAlex record:
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AI provenance: This post was generated by gpt-5.4-mini (OpenAI). The original authors did not write or review this post.

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