Reduction of Prussic Acid in Sorghum through CRISPR/Cas9-mediated Genome Editing
Status
Ongoing
Start Year
2024
End Year
2028
Project Description
This research initiative (2024–2028) is a collaborative effort led by Erick Anoka (ASARI-UM6P) and Valentine Otang Ntui (AGC-UM6P) in Morocco.
Area of Focus
Agricultural Biotechnology and Livestock Safety
Target Organisms
Trait(s)
Prussic acid reduction
Project GEd Technique
Institution(s)
Countries Active
Striga, draught stress, nutrition and sugar content
Priority Organism
Member State
Socioeconomic Justification
Climate smart staple food for human/animal feed and beverages for small holder farmers in semi and regions
GEd Potential
High
Existing R&D
Agronomy
Actual Annual Production (tonnes)
90000
Expected Annual Production (tonnes)
150000
Striga, draught stress, nutrition and sugar content
Priority Organism
Member State
Socioeconomic Justification
Climate smart staple food for human/ animal feed and beverages for small holder farmers and potential for biofuel
GEd Potential
High
Existing R&D
Agronomy
Actual Annual Production (tonnes)
134500
Expected Annual Production (tonnes)
167730
Improved yield and high nutrition
Priority Organism
Member State
Socioeconomic Justification
Limited production
Existing R&D
Breeding + GEd
Actual Annual Production (tonnes)
790
Genome Editing in Sorghum for Improving Biofuel Production and Forage Quality
Status
Completed
Start Year
2018
End Year
2023
Project Description
This project focused on applying genome-editing techniques to sorghum to enhance biofuel production and improve forage quality
Area of Focus
Egypt-USA
Target Organisms
Trait(s)
Biofuel Production and Forage Quality
Project GEd Technique
Countries Active
Amount (USD)
0.40Million
Genome Editing in Sorghum for Improving Biofuel Production and Forage Quality
Status
Completed
Start Year
2018
End Year
2023
Area of Focus
Egypt-USA
Target Organisms
Trait(s)
Biofuel Production and Forage Quality
Project GEd Technique
Countries Active
Amount (USD)
0.40Million
Striga, draught stress tolerance and nutritional enhancement
Priority Organism
Member State
Socioeconomic Justification
Climate smart staple food for human/ animal feed and beverages for small holder farmers and key ingredients in the local beer industry,
GEd Potential
High
Existing R&D
Agronomy
Actual Annual Production (tonnes)
1200000
Expected Annual Production (tonnes)
1500000
Striga, draught stress tolerance and nutritional enhancement
Priority Organism
Member State
Socioeconomic Justification
Climate smart staple food for human/ animal feed and beverages for small holder farmers and key ingredients in the local beer industry,
GEd Potential
High
Existing R&D
Agronomy
Actual Annual Production (tonnes)
1000000
Expected Annual Production (tonnes)
2
Drought tolerance; Striga & pest resistance; improved nutritional quality
Priority Organism
Member State
Socioeconomic Justification
Staple for food security in Sahelian zones; widely grown by smallholders — resilient sorghum stabilizes diets & incomes.
GEd Potential
High
Existing R&D
National breeding programs (INERA) + regional CGIAR work on sorghum genetics.
Actual Annual Production (tonnes)
1
Expected Annual Production (tonnes)
2
Improved yield and high nutrition
Priority Organism
Member State
Socioeconomic Justification
Drought-resilient staple, key in ASAL regions; supports food diversification policy
Existing R&D
KU/ICRISAT/partners CRISPR on LGS1 (Striga resistance); national breeding programs
Actual Annual Production (tonnes)
201524
Expected Annual Production (tonnes)
241829