SSR markers linked to kernel weight and tiller number in sorghum identified by association mapping

Sorghum is an energy crop with high biomass production potential and low input requirement. To identify markers linked to grain and biomass production traits, 43 SSR markers were mapped for association with tiller number and kernel weight using the sorghum mini core of 242 landraces. While kernel weight was evaluated in two environments, tiller number was evaluated in four environments. The number of SSR alleles was positively correlated with polymorphism information content for the markers. Association mapping found one marker (4-162) linked to kernel weight and two (40-1896 and 81-108) to tiller numbers. 4-162 and 40-1896 co-localized with previously mapped quantitative trait loci. Localized association mapping around 81-108 identified an amino-cyclopropane-carboxylate (ACC) oxidase gene as a candidate for tiller number. ACC oxidase is an ethylene forming enzyme and increased ethylene level has been shown to increase the number of tillers in the grass family. The results provide the groundwork to identify genes regulating kernel weight and tiller number in sorghum in the future.