Water‐deficit stress alters intra‐panicle grain number in sorghum

Despite the ability of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] to withstand harsh environmental conditions, it is susceptible water-deficit stress during grain filling. To identify postflowering, drought-tolerant genotypes, parents nested association mapping populations were evaluated under controlled and conditions in greenhouse field conditions. In both experiments, was imposed by withholding water grain-filling period. rootzone soil moisture measured weekly using a neutron probe quantify plant available well-watered Investigations focused on determining variability pattern across different positions within panicles (intra-panicle) 11 genotypes. Water-deficit characterized low had consistently negative with number along panicle. Our findings indicate that maintaining numbers per panicle postflowering deficit more important than increasing individual weight. Among tested SC35 SC1103 most tolerant respectively. Currently biparental developed these genotypes provide an opportunity enhance tolerance sorghum.