Als-inhibiting herbicide resistant sorghum for broad-spectrum weed control
Sorghum breeding program developing grain, sweet, and forage sorghum inbreds and hybrids tolerant to all major classes of ALS-inhibiting herbicides. Addresses the critical lack of effective grassy weed control options in sorghum, enabling higher yields, reduced water and nutrient competition, and improved economic sustainability for semi-arid tropic producers.
Overview
Sorghum is a major cereal crop grown across the semi-arid tropics, valued for its tolerance to drought and other environmental stresses. However, producers face a significant management challenge: few pre-emergence herbicides are labeled for sorghum that deliver broad-spectrum residual weed control, especially against grassy weeds. This program targets that gap by developing sorghum inbreds and hybrids tolerant to all commercial classes of acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicides. The result is a crop that can be kept weed-free with greater flexibility, allowing it to grow faster, stay healthier, require less water and nutrients, and ultimately produce higher yields.
Technical specifications
Approach and key features:
- Breeding and pyramiding of three ALS-resistance mutants into adapted sorghum lines to stack tolerance across multiple herbicide classes
- Evaluation of putative resistant shattercane biotypes against four classes of ALS-inhibiting herbicides: sulfonylureas (SU), pyrimidinylthiobenzoates (PTB), triazolopyrimidines (TP), and sulfonylcarbonyltriazolinones (SCT)
- Field selections drawn from sites treated for three consecutive years with different ALS herbicide classes to ensure robust resistance under real-world selection pressure
- Greenhouse screening protocols to confirm resistance and susceptibility profiles before field advancement
- Development targets span three sorghum market types: grain, sweet, and forage
Observed agronomic benefits of weed-free fields:
- Lower insect pressure compared to weedy fields
- Better soil moisture retention
- Higher yield potential
- Reduced residual weed seedbank buildup in subsequent seasons
Technology readiness level
The program is at an advanced breeding and validation stage. Resistant biotypes have already been identified and characterized against the four major ALS herbicide classes in both field and greenhouse settings. The immediate next step is to pyramid the three resistance mutants into adapted sorghum lines so that hybrids can take advantage of the full suite of commercial ALS-inhibiting herbicides. This positions the technology for near-term progression toward commercial hybrid release and field deployment.
About University of Nebraska, Lincoln
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is a comprehensive public research university and the flagship campus of the University of Nebraska system, combining land-grant reach with a collaborative, industry-engaged culture. A research and technology park adjacent to campus provides modern wet and dry labs, greenhouses, offices, and conferencing, enabling companies to co-locate with faculty and access shared equipment and pilot environments. A statewide extension network links university expertise with producers and communities, creating rapid pathways for field trials, demonstrations, and workforce pipelines. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from NSF, USDA, DOE, and NIH. A dedicated technology transfer office manages IP, licensing, agreements, and startup formation with industry-friendly terms.
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