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

提高高粱水分生产率的有效分子植物育种将为澳大利亚东北部的农村社区带来显著的经济和社会效益。该地区发展高粱产业的机会很大。尽管受到全球金融危机的影响，但全球对肉类的需求仍在持续增长，集约化畜牧业对饲料谷物的需求十分旺盛。鉴于主要饲料谷物继续用于生物燃料，预计价格将回升至较高水平。高粱产量每增加10%，每年将增加4800万美元的净值，其中很大一部分来自就业。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.