Novel multiple gynoecium genotype in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.)

Abstract

A  novel  fodder  sorghum  (Sorghum bicolor L.) genotype  (EC484238) with multiple gynoecium has  beenidentified at ICAR-IGFRI, Jhansi for the first time in India. The floral microscopic study of this novel genotyperevealed that female mega-gametophyte produced multiple gynoecium ranging from two to six, instead of oneas in normal sorghum genotypes with bi-feathery stigma on each ovary. These multiple ovaries succeeded toproduce viable twin or triplet seeds per spikelet per panicle. The twin and triple seed ratio ranged from 97-99%and 1-3%, respectively per panicle. This unique sorghum genotype might be a homeobox mutant which couldshed light on the genetic regulation and control mechanisms governing the development of floral structure insorghum as well as in other grasses of the Poaceae family. Multi-ovary sorghum has the obvious advantage ofthe increased number of seeds per panicle, thereby potentially increasing the seed yield. The novel  genotypemight  be  used  in future  fodder sorghum  breeding programmes  and will have  more  significance  for thedevelopment of dual purpose fodder sorghum.