Journal of Agricultural Science and Botany

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Research Article - Journal of Agricultural Science and Botany (2017) Volume 1, Issue 1

Evaluation of sweet sorghum accessions for seedling cold tolerance using both lab and field cold germination test

Ming Li Wang1*, Zhanguo Xin2, Gloria Burow2, Junping Chen2, Phiffie Vankus1, David Pinnow1, Brandon Tonnis1, Hugo Cuevas3 and Jianming Yu4

1USDA-ARS, Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit, Griffin, Georgia 30223, United States

2USDA-ARS, Plant Stress and Germplasm Development Unit, Lubbock, Texas 79415, United States

3USDA-ARS, Tropical Agriculture Research Station, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico 00680, United States

4Department of Agronomy, Lowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, United States

*Corresponding Author:
Wang ML
USDA-ARS, Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit
Griffin, Georgia 30223, United States
E-mail: mingli.wang@ars.usda.gov

Accepted on November 6, 2017

Citation: Wang ML, Xin Z, Burow G, Chen J, Vankus P, et al. Evaluation of sweet sorghum accessions for seedling cold tolerance using both lab and field cold germination test. J Agric Sci Bot 2017;1(1):1-8.

Abstract

Objective: Seedling cold tolerance is one of the important traits for sweet sorghum production. This study is to evaluate the method for identification of sweet sorghum accessions with seedling cold tolerance using both lab cold germination and field early-spring cold planting.

Methodology: Sorghum seeds were germinated in growth chamber (under lab cold condition) at a constant 12°C for five weeks. After two weeks, germinated seeds and germination rates were counted and calculated at weekly intervals for four times. The same seed lots for lab cold test were also planted 45 days earlier than the normal planting time in the field (early-spring cold planting). In addition to seedling dry weight, germinated seeds and seed germination rates were also counted and calculated at weekly intervals for three times.

Results: In this study, a high correlation coefficient between lab germination rate and field germination rate (R2=0.503, p<0.0001) was observed. In general, lab germination rate can predict the field germination performance; but some discrepancies between field and lab tests were also observed for some accessions. Among 212 sweet sorghum accessions tested, several sweet sorghum accessions with seedling cold tolerance were identified from both lab and field tests. These accessions will be useful materials for development of sweet sorghum cultivars with early spring cold tolerance.

Conclusion: Compared with the field test, the lab test is less labor intensive. For a large-scale screening of seedling cold tolerance, the lab test may be conducted initially followed by selection of superior accessions from the lab test for further evaluation under field conditions.

Keywords

Sweet sorghum germplasm, Seed germination rate, Seedling cold tolerance.

Introduction

Early planting (or early sowing) may increase yield of sugar, grain or biomass; but it depends on many factors (e.g. rainfall, soil types and temperatures, cultivars, and crops). For example, early planting soybean in southwestern Japan can increase grain yield [1]. But planting peanut in early to mid-April instead of early to mid-May in the state of Georgia can increase the risk of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) incidence [2] and lead to yield reduction. Sorghum seeds can be planted in early April for achieving a higher yield or earlier harvesting time for a double-cropping system in Texas, but selection of cultivars with early spring cold tolerance is important. Sorghum cultivars with early spring cold tolerance have several obvious advantages: faster and better seedling emergence and establishment, an extended growing season in the same region, and slightly expanded planting zones from the south to north regions [3]. Significant seedling cold tolerance exists in sorghum. Several studies have been conducted on seedling cold tolerance in grain sorghum [3,4]. Three SSR markers for different QTL for early-season cold tolerance have been identified, and they are mapped in different chromosome regions [5-7]. However, little research has been conducted on cold tolerance in sweet sorghum. The U.S. sweet sorghum collection is maintained by the Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit (PGRCU) at Griffin, GA. These sweet sorghum accessions are used as experimental materials for screening seedling early-spring cold tolerance under both lab and field conditions. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to (i) determine the germination rates of sweet sorghum accessions under cold conditions in both lab and field; (ii) determine the correlation coefficients among investigated traits; (iii) determine the correlation coefficients of germination rates between lab and field conditions; and (iv) identify accessions with cold tolerance under both lab and field conditions and recommend them to sweet sorghum breeders as parental materials for developing new cultivars.

Materials and Methods

Sweet sorghum accessions: Seed regeneration for sweet sorghum accessions was conducted every year from 2013 to 2015 at St. Croix, Puerto Rico. Fresh seeds, after breaking dormancy, were used for germination testing. Four checks (Rio, a good sweet sorghum cultivar; BTx623, a good grain sorghum cultivar; GT26056, a good early spring cold tolerance cultivar; and PI 610727, a very good early spring cold tolerant cultivar from Shanxi, China) were used for comparison with the sweet sorghum accessions. A total of 212 sweet sorghum accessions plus four checks used for both field and lab germination tests are listed in (Table 1).

PI Identifier PI Identifier
PI 17548 RED AMBER PI 173971 JAWAR
PI 22913 CHINESE AMBER PI 174381 KARADARI
PI 48191 SACCALINE PI 175919 IS 12833
PI 52606 MN 2680 PI 176766 MN 2873
PI 88000 Mokutakususu PI 177156 MN 2742
PI 88007 Bangu manguisusu PI 177553 AKDARI
PI 92270 MN 2740 PI 177554 MN 2894
PI 144134 Inyangentombi PI 179504 AKDARI
PI 144331 ISIDOMBA PI 179747 JAWAR
PI 145619 ISIDOMBA PI 179749 Juar
PI 145622 Jiba PI 180004 JAWAR
PI 145632 TEGEVINI PI 180005 JAWAR
PI 145633 Tugela Ferry PI 180348 Juar
PI 146890 SUGAR DRIP PI 180489 Juar
PI 147026 Nagro PI 181077 DEPAR
PI 147200 W. 21 PI 181080 HONEY SORGHUM
PI 147224 B. 35 PI 181083 KAMANDRI
PI 147573 MN 600 PI 181899 Aleppo No. 41
PI 149830 IS 2462 PI 181971 MN 2939
PI 149832 IS 2464 PI 182303 AKDARI
PI 152596 ANKOLIB TEQUIL PI 183149 JUAR
PI 152629 Feterita Fayoumi D.S. 8 PI 189114 MN 2972
PI 152630 FETERITA FAYOUMI D.S. 10 PI 195754 KAOLIANG
PI 152633 FETERITA FAYOUMI D.S. 13 PI 196049 IS 2131
PI 152646 FETERITA GEZIRA PI 196592 MN 3089
PI 152650 FETERITA FULLI PI 196598 MN 3095
PI 152651 Feterita Geshaish PI 197542 SUCRE DROME
PI 152671 GISHISH PI 198885 SWEET SACCALINE
PI 152675 Heger Taie PI 201723 FETERITA LA ESTENZUELA
PI 152676 HEGIRI 1 PI 217691 NAGAD EL MUR
PI 152683 HEMAISI RED SHENDI SHERSHER PI 217770 BARGOWI
PI 152692 KAFIR PINK PI 218112 IS 2352
PI 152714 LUEL PI 221560 BALAKA
PI 152725 MALWAL AWEIL PI 247136 MN 4052
PI 152733 MERISSA (BARI) PI 247744 U. g. 6. 7.
PI 152751 NYTWAL PI 247745 Tjolotjo
PI 152755 POTCH 4 PI 250232 MN 4118
PI 152764 QUERY 3 PI 250234 MN 4120
PI 152771 RAHMETALLA GALLABAT PI 250402 MN 4126
PI 152813 Wad Aker Red PI 250521 MN 4122
PI 152816 WAD FUR WHITE PI 250582 MN 4124
PI 152828 U.T. 23 PI 250897 MN 4133
PI 152860 MERASI PI 250898 MN 4134
PI 152872 FETERITA ABDEL MAGID PI 251672 MN 4135
PI 152880 LWEL FADIANG PI 253795 MN 4136
PI 152898 BILICHIGAN PI 253796 MN 4137
PI 152909 Mahananga PI 253986 MN 4138
PI 152914 WAXY CLUB PI 255239 CAXA
PI 152923 Duro El Jack PI 257599 NO. 5 GAMBELA
PI 152953 CHIKKORI PI 257600 NO. 6 GAMBELA
PI 152961 MALNAL PI 257602 NO. 8 GAMBELA
PI 152963 Thok (B) PI 260210 Darso 28
PI 152966 Ayuak PI 248298 CHINESE AMBER
PI 152971 AWANLEK PI 267476 Tseta 27/51
PI 152998 GUMBILU PI 273955 MN 4566
PI 153871 MUBEYA PI 273969 MN 4578
PI 154750 Serere PI 287625 MN 48
PI 154787 MN 1344 PI 287627 MN 12
PI 154796 NKUMBA PI 302120 MN 4155
PI 154800 Wenabu PI 302122 IS 13718
PI 154844 GRASSL PI 302131 MN 4179
PI 154846 KABIRI PI 302198 MN 4243
PI 154929 J56 Akouangok PI 302199 MN 4369
PI 154943 L28 Lawere PI 302252 IS 13726
PI 154944 L31 Emiroit PI 302264 MN 4330
PI 154962 V3 Nakyeru PI 303658 Nerum Boer
PI 154980 Wheatland PI 511355 SMITH
PI 154987 S. A. 1 PI 533998 Brawley
PI 154988 S. A. 2 PI 535783 N98
PI 154990 P 127 (S.A. 5) PI 535785 N100
PI 155336 MUYO PI 535792 N107
PI 155485 Maila PI 535796 N111
PI 155516 MASAKA PI 562716 HONEY NO. 2
PI 155543 Hasesa PI 563295 RIO
PI 155556 MAILA PI 566819 DELLA
PI 155571 LONGWE PI 583832 TOP 76-6
PI 155609 MAPIERA PI 584989 POPSORGHUM
PI 155721 WAQUEMA PI 586443 MN 818
PI 155760 Namuse PI 586541 TRACY
PI 155805 MAPIRA PI 641806 AMES AMBER
PI 155845 MN 2077 PI 641807 ATLAS
PI 155902 MN 2103 PI 641815 EARLY FOLGER
PI 155924 CHIFUNGO PI 641817 EARLY SUMAC
PI 156136 MAILA PI 641821 HONEY DRIP
PI 156203 MN 2089 PI 641834 PLANTER
PI 156217 MN 2109 PI 641835 REX
PI 156252 Nefee PI 641848 TEXAS SEEDED RIBBON
PI 156352 MN 2238 PI 641862 COLLIER
PI 156356 Sonkwe PI 641893 DWARF ASHBURN
PI 156393 MN 2277 PI 641904 H.C. 41-13
PI 156890 Dura Huria PI 641909 Red Losinga
PI 157030 Andiwo III 57 PI 642999 Leoti-Peltier
PI 157033 Ifube No. 18 PI 643008 MN 2751
PI 157035 Nyagwang No. 56 PI 643013 MN 2756
PI 157804 Feterita Abu Derega PI 643016 MN 2761
PI 167047 AKDARI PI 643017 MN 2762
PI 167352 AKDARI PI 643464 IS 3986
PI 170783 AKDARI PI 651493 RAMADA
PI 170787 MN 2826 PI 651495 DALE
PI 170788 MN 2827 PI 651497 Theis
PI 170799 MN 2838 PI 653616 WRAY
PI 170802 IS 12807 PI 653617 KELLER
PI 170805 IS 12810 PI 655983 SUGAR DRIP
PI 173112 7392 PI 655983 M81 E
PI 173118 8371 GT26056 Cold tolerance check
PI 173120 8493 PI 610727 Cold tolerance check, China
PI 173121 MN 2857 Rio Sweet sorghum, TX
PI 173808 GILGIL BTx 623 Grain sorghum, TX

Table 1. Information on PI number and identifier for the selected sweet sorghum accessions.

Detailed information about sweet sorghum accessions can be obtained from the USDA-ARS Germplasm Research Information Network (GRIN) website.

Lab cold germination test: The growth chamber (Percival Scientific, Inc., model GR36L) was set at a constant 12°C and 60% humidity with eight hours of light and 16 hours of dark.

Seeds were treated with thiram before testing. Fifty seeds were evenly spread out onto a double layer of wetted germination paper towels, wrapped up, and bound in place with a rubber band. The bound paper towels were then transferred standing upright into a lattice plastic tray (to allow air circulation around towels) and placed in the growth chamber. Whenever the paper towels needed to be rewetted, 12°C water was used from a carboy stored within the same growth chamber. High humidity (~60%) was maintained by keeping an open plastic basin containing clean tap water at the bottom of the growth chamber at all times. After two weeks, the wrapped paper towels were opened on a clean table to count germinated seeds, which were removed from the towels. Seeds not yet germinated were then wrapped up again and put back into the growth chamber for further germination. Following the same procedure, seeds were recounted at weekly intervals three more times. Germination rates for each accession were calculated cumulatively for each counting time.

Field early-spring planting evaluation: Normal planting time for sorghum in Lubbock, TX is around May 15th, but the planting time for early-spring cold tolerance test in this study was April 1st (45 days earlier than the normal planting time). The same seed lots for the growth chamber test from 212 accessions were also used for the field planting evaluation. Twenty-five seeds were planted in a 6 x 1 meter row, and two replicates were planted for each accession. The seedling emergence was first counted fourteen days after planting. Seedling emergence was recounted at weekly intervals two more times. Similar to lab germination rates, the seed germination rates in the field were also calculated cumulatively.

Seedling dry weight and emergence index: At 28 days after counting, the above-ground seedling tissues from five seedlings for each accession were cut, harvested, and then were dried in an oven at 80°C for 72 hours. After drying, the seedling tissues were weighed and the dry weight recorded (g/5 seedlings). Emergence index (EI), a measurement of rate of emergence, was calculated using the following formula: EI=Σ (Ej x Dj)/E where Ej=emergence on day j, Dj=days after planting, and E=final stand. The final stand counts were taken at 28 days and 35 days for field test and lab test, respectively [8].

Statistical analysis: An analysis of variance was performed on the data and means were using minimum significant difference (MSD) comparison procedure (SAS, 2008, Online Doc® 9.2. Cary, NC: SAS Institute Inc.). Significant correlations between investigated traits were determined using Pearson correlation coefficients.

Results and Discussion

Variation in germination rates from lab and field, emergence index, and dry weight of field seedlings: The germination rates from lab and field conditions counted at different times plus dry weight of five field seedlings are listed in (Table 2) and shown in (Figure 1). Overall, at the beginning the seeds germinated more slowly in the field (2.01% at 14 days) than the lab (18.71% at 14 days). After 21 days, the germination rate was higher in the field (35.69% at 21 days, 43.20% at 28 days) than in the lab (28.86% at 21 days, 36.92% at 28 days) (Table 2 and Figure 1). Some accessions (e.g. PI 610727, a very cold tolerant check in replicate 2) reached 100% germination in the field at 21 days; while in the lab 100% germination was reached by some accessions (e.g. PI 154800 in replicate 1) at 28 days. Sorghum seeds appear to germinate more quickly in the field than in the lab. This observation is supported by the emergence index (EI). The average emergence index was lower in the field test (19.45) than in the lab test (20.02). Temperature fluctuation (between day-time high and night-time low) may be required for a better germination. In addition to lab/field environmental conditions, differences in accessions (genotypes) also significantly affected the germination rate. Significant differences in germination rates for both lab (0–100%) and field conditions (0–100%) were identified among sweet sorghum accessions. The results from this study are consistent with the results from a previous study in which different cultivars differed significantly between lab germination and field emergence9. For example in the lab, the germination rate of the sweet sorghum cultivar Rio was only 42% at 14 days (Figure 2a), while the germination rate of GT26056 reached 94% at 14 days (Figure 2b). In the field, the germination rate of sweet sorghum accession PI 653617 at 28 days was only 68% (Figure 3a), while the rate of PI 152751 at 28 days reached 89% (Figure 3b).

Variable N Mean Std Dev Minimum Maximum
Field 1st count
germination rate (%)
425 2.012 7.670 0 80.00
Field 2nd count
germination rate (%)
425 35.69 25.565 0 100.00
Field 3rd count
germination rate (%)
425 43.20 26.177 0 100.00
Dry weight
(g/5 seedlings)
324 0.72 0.320 0.23 1.74
Lab 1st count
germination rate (%)
430 18.71 21.057 0 94.00
Lab 2nd count
germination rate (%)
430 28.86 24.239 0 94.00
Lab 3rd count
germination rate (%)
430 36.92 26.808 0 100.00
Lab 4th count
Germination rate (%)
430 38.26 27.088 0 100.00

Table 2. Simple statistics for the lab germination rate, field germination rate, and seedling dry weight. (N=Number of samples; Std Dev=Standard Deviation).

agricultural-science-botany-germination-rates

Figure 1. Comparison of germination rates between field and lab at different time-counting intervals. The x-axis indicates days after planting or growing in the field or growth chamber, the y-axis is the germination rate (%). Blue curve represents the lab experiment and red curve represents the field experiment.

agricultural-science-botany-cold-tolerance

Figure 2. Comparison of lab germination rates between sweet sorghum cultivar Rio and cold tolerance line GT26056. 2A) Seeds from sweet sorghum Rio in the growth chamber at 12°C for 14 days with a low germination rate of 42% and 2B) seeds from cold tolerance line GT26056 in the growth chamber at 12ºC for 14 days with a high germination rate of 94%.

agricultural-science-botany-field-planting

Figure 3. Comparison of field germination rates between sweet sorghum PI 653617 and PI 152751. Seeds from sweet sorghum PI 653617 28 days after field planting with a moderately high emergence rate (68%). 3A) Number of seeds emerged is shown in the lower panel and a closer image of some seedlings is shown in the upper panel. 3B) Seeds from sweet sorghum PI 152751 28 days after field planting with a high emergence rate (89%). Number of seeds emerged is shown in the lower panel and a closer image of some seedlings is shown in the upper panel (B).

In sweet sorghum growing regions where early spring cold may be an issue, accessions with good tolerance to early spring cold should be selected and used as parental materials to make crosses for developing new cultivars. The average dry weight of five seedlings in the field was 0.72 g, ranging from 0.23 to 1.74 g. PI 201723 (1.74 g/5 seedlings) had a significant higher (P<0.05) dry weight than PI 155516 (0.23 g/5 seedlings). Seedling dry weight may relate to early spring cold tolerance. This issue will be discussed in the following section of unique germplasm accessions identified.

Correlation coefficients among investigated traits: The results of Pearson correlation coefficients, probability, and number of observations among lab germination rates, field germination rates, and seedling dry weight are listed in (Table 3). In the field test, all the correlation coefficients among different countings were significant (p<0.0001). But the correlation coefficient values between the first counting and the second and third countings were low (R2=0.287 and R2=0.266, respectively), while the correlation coefficient value between the second counting and the third counting was very high (R2=0.944). In the lab test, all correlation coefficients among the different countings were significant (p<0.0001), and all correlation coefficient values were also high (all R2>0.84). The germination conditions in the lab are very controlled compared to the field. This may partly explain why there was some inconsistency in the correlation coefficient values among the different countings in the field. A high correlation coefficient between lab germination rate and field germination rate (R2=0.503, p<0.0001) was also observed. The correlation coefficient of seedling dry weight with the field germination rate was much higher (R2=0.257, p<0.0001) than with the lab germination rate (R2=0.109, p<0.05).

Trait Field 2nd Field 3rd Dry wt. Lab 1st Lab 2nd Lab 3rd Lab 4th
Field 1st count 0.287
<.0001
422
0.266
<.0001
422
0.005
0.9354
321
0.306
<.0001
422
0.217
<.0001
422
0.189
<.0001
422
0.184
0.0001
422
Field 2nd count
0.944
<.0001
425
0.337
<.0001
324
0.393
<.0001
425
0.417
<.0001
425
0.471
<.0001
425
0.462
<.0001
425
Field 3rd count 0.257
<.0001
324
0.408
<.0001
425
0.443
<.0001
425
0.504
<.0001
425
0.503
<.0001
425
Dry weight
0.119
0.0320
324
0.104
0.0617
324
0.115
0.0390
324
0.109
0.0499
324
Lab 1st count 0.913
<.0001
430
0.842
<.0001
430
0.829
<.0001
430
Lab 2nd count 0.934
<.0001
430
0.929
<.0001
430
Lab 3rd count 0.992
<.0001
430

Table 3. Pearson correlation coefficients, probability, and number of observations for lab germination rate, field germination rate, and seedling dry weight.

Consistency and discrepancy in germination rates between lab and field conditions: In general, the lab germination rate can reflect or predict the field germination rate. The results from this study were consistent with the results from an earlier report on sorghum hybrids. But some discrepancies between the field and lab tests were observed. For example, the lab germination rates (84%, 90%, 96%, and 94%) of four checks (Rio, BTx623, GT26056, and PI 610727) were consistent with their field germination rates (80%, 80%, 91%, and 94%), respectively (Table 4).

Classified type PI or cultivar name Field germination (%) Lab germination (%)
Field rate high
Lab rate low
PI 302199 78 28
PI 653617 82 35
PI 146890 92 25
Lab rate high
Field rate low
PI 247745 47.5 91
PI 154800 58 93
PI 154750 60 91
Field and lab rate similar PI 173112 78 65
PI 195754 80 70
PI 152751 74 92
Field and lab rates for
Check (selected controls)
very consistent
Rio (sweet sorghum) 80 84
BTx623 (grain sorghum) 80 90
GT26056 (check for cold tolerance) 91 96
PI 610727 (check for cold tolerance) 94 94

Table 4. Difference in seed germination rates between field and lab from some selected accessions.

Thus, the lab germination rates predict well the field germination rates for these four checks. We also observed that the germination rate for some accessions was high in the lab but low in the field. For example, the lab germination rate for PI 247745 was 91%, but its field germination rate was only 48%. The field conditions are more variable (e.g. lower nighttime temperature in the field) than the controlled lab conditions. Emergence of the seedlings from soil in the field can be adversely affected by soil type and level of moisture, whereas moistened germination papers in the lab offer no resistance to emergence. Some accessions may be cold tolerant to the lab conditions (12°C) but less tolerant to the field conditions where the temperature can dip much lower than 12°C. This may explain the difference in cold tolerance between the lab and field tests. Conversely, the lab germination rates for some accessions (PI 146890 and PI 653617) were low (25% and 35%) while their field germination rates were high (92% and 82%). These big differences between lab and field germination rates are difficult to interpret. One possible explanation could be that these accessions may require a lower temperature for breaking seed dormancy. Additionally, since fresh seeds were used, these accessions may have not completely overcome their seed dormancy yet before the start of the germination experiment. The lab experimental temperature of 12°C may not be low enough to break dormancy for some accessions, but the field low temperature can easily break its dormancy resulting in better germination rates. This explanation is supported by the second year lab germination test. After receiving the fresh sweet sorghum seeds from Puerto Rico, the seeds were stored at room temperature for less than two and half months before the beginning of the lab cold germination test. Overall the germination for most accessions from the second year was postponed by about two weeks. The postponed lab germination can only be explained by seed dormancy. To draw a final conclusion, the lab germination test for these accessions needs to be repeated.

Unique germplasm accessions identified: Besides the four checks (Rio, BTx623, GT26056, and PI 610727) which had high germination rates under the field cold conditions, three other accessions (PI 146890, PI 653617, and PI 195754) were identified with high field germination rates of 92%, 82%, and 80%, respectively. These three accessions also had lower emergence indexes (EI) (18.29, 17.63, and 18.52 respectively) than the average EI (19.45). The lower the EI value is, the earlier the seeds germinate. This means that these three accessions not only had high germination rates but also had earlier emergence. Compared with other accessions, the seedlings from these three accessions could establish more robustly than other lines within the same time window. For seedling dry weight, PI 146890 and PI 653617 averaged 0.838 g and 0.826 g, respectively, which is similar to the average (0.72 g). PI 195754, however, was 1.363 g, significantly higher than the average. Seedling dry weight (obtained from the early spring planting) may be an important indicator for early spring cold tolerance. PI 195754 was originally curated in China (GRIN database). The Chinese sorghum germplasm collection is known to contain accessions with good tolerance to early spring cold temperature [9-11].

Conclusion

Early spring cold tolerance is an important and complex trait. When freshly harvested seeds are to be used for screening early spring cold tolerance, seed dormancy should be considered. If the tested seeds have not completely overcome dormancy, the seed germination time and rate can be significantly postponed and reduced. Significant variability in the early spring cold tolerance exists among sweet sorghum accessions. There are over 2,100 sweet sorghum accessions in the USDA germplasm collection. Although some accessions with good tolerance to early spring cold were identified, we only tested 212 accessions (10%). In order to fully characterize the sweet sorghum collection for early spring cold tolerance, all accessions need to be first tested under lab conditions. Then the superior accessions selected from the lab test will be further evaluated in the field. The best sweet sorghum accessions will be selected and recommended for use by sweet sorghum breeders. At the same time, based on the published information of cold tolerance genetics (such as genetic heredity, QTLs, and existing genetic markers) and multiple harvests, crosses will be made between accessions with contrasting cold tolerance to establish bi-parental mapping populations to map the cold tolerance traits to specific chromosome regions for eventually cloning and identifying genes for early spring cold tolerance.

Conflict of Interest

The authors have declared that no competing interest exists.

Significance Statement

This study discovered the relationship between lab cold germination test and field seedling cold tolerance performance that can be beneficial for sweet sorghum breeders. This study will help sweet sorghum breeders to select parents from the unique accessions to make crosses for developing new cultivars in their breeding programs.

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank Mr. Jerry Davis from the Department of Statistics, University of Georgia for his excellent assistance in statistical analysis.

References

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