Improvements in biomass production: Learning lessons from the bioenergy plants maize and sorghum

Abstract

The use of biomass energy is preferred over fossil fuels as the former is more sustainable and emits a reduced amount of greenhouse gases. Sorghum, a tropical C4plant, is known to have a marked drought tolerance. However, very little is known about the mechanisms involved. An allied species Zea mays, also a C4plant, is far less drought tolerant. Both plants are known to accumulate high biomass during the course of their growth cycle and can be used as renewable energy sources. This article discusses the possibilities of using these two plants for the production of improved biomass in the context of drought tolerance and sustainable food production. Crucial and novel approaches that render Sorghum more tolerant to drought have been reviewed. Novel drought tolerance mechanisms in two sorghum cultivars- Samsorg 17 (more drought tolerant) and Samsorg 40 (less drought tolerant) have also been reviewed.