Enabling Molecular Plant Breeding for Drought Adaptation Using Genome-to-Phenome Modelling Technologies

有效的分子植物育种提高高粱水分生产力，将为澳大利亚东北部农村社区带来显著的经济效益和社会效益。这是扩大该地区高粱产业的重要机会。尽管发生了全球金融危机，但全球对肉类的需求仍在继续增加，这导致集约化畜牧业对饲料谷物的需求强劲。由于继续使用主要饲料谷物作为生物燃料，预计价格将恢复到较高水平。高粱产量增加10%，每年将增加4800万美元的净值，其中大部分来自就业。该项目的科学内容使澳大利亚在这一新兴研究领域处于全球领先地位。

Effective molecular plant breeding for improved water productivity of sorghum would generate significant economic and social benefits for rural communities in NE Australia. There is a significant opportunity to expand the sorghum industry in the region. Despite the global financial crisis, global demand for meat continues to increase, generating strong demand from intensive livestock industries for feed grain. Price is projected to return to high levels given continuing use of major feed grains for biofuel. A 10% increase in sorghum production would add net value of $48M annually, much via employment. The scientific content of this project positions Australia at the leading edge globally in this emerging research field.