Accelerating Genetic Gain in West Africa Through the Development of Sorghum Adapted to Drought-Prone Areas
- Cereal: Sorghum
- Abiotic Stressor: Drought
- Principal Investigator: Cyril Diatta, Senegalese Institute of Agricultural Research (ISRA-CERAAS)
Improving sorghum adaptation to terminal drought in West Africa requires a clear understanding of the traits and genetic variation that drive performance under water-limited conditions. Terminal drought remains a major constraint to sorghum productivity across the region, and while traits such as stay-green and root architecture have been identified, they have not been sufficient to fully address adaptation challenges. This effort focuses on identifying new sources of adaptation and defining trait combinations required for sorghum performance across target production environments.
The project leverages the Sorghum Adaptation in West Africa with a Genomics-Enabled Breeding Network (SAWAGEN) network to evaluate a diverse panel of West African sorghum germplasm, including locally adapted accessions, backcross nested association mapping (BCNAM) populations, and stay-green lines. Phenotypic and environmental data collected across multiple locations will be used to identify key traits associated with performance under terminal drought and to define ideotypes tailored to specific target population environments. In parallel, genomic analyses will support marker discovery and genetic mapping to link observed traits with underlying genetic variation, enabling more precise characterization of adaptation mechanisms.
Key outputs include identified trait combinations for drought adaptation, defined ideotypes for specific production environments, molecular markers, and characterized germplasm that can be used as parent material in breeding programs. These resources provide a framework for data-driven breeding by improving trait prioritization and selection strategies. In parallel, the project strengthens regional capacity in phenotyping, genetics, and genomics, supporting continued application of these tools to advance sorghum improvement across West Africa.