Stay-green expression in early generation sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] QTL introgression lines

Reduced leaf senescence (stay-green) has been demonstrated to improve tolerance of post-flowering moisture stress in grain sorghum. A number of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with stay-green have been identified in sorghum, to facilitate transfer of this trait into adapted genetic backgrounds. This study reports initial evaluations, in both well watered and post-flowering stress environments, following partial introgression (BC2F3/BC1F4 generations) of four stable stay-green QTLs (StgB, Stg1, Stg3 and Stg4) from donor parent B35 to senescent variety R 16. The majority of the introgression lines had higher leaf chlorophyll levels at flowering (a distinctive trait of the donor parent) and a greater percentage green leaf area during the latter part of grain filling, than did R 16, indicating that the stay-green QTLs were expressed phenotypically in the R 16 background. None of the QTL introgression lines achieved the same level of stay-green as B35, however. Maintenance of a greater relative green leaf area during the latter half of grain filling was related to a greater relative grain yield in two of three post-flowering moisture deficit environments in which the materials were evaluated (r (2) = 0.34 in 2004-2005 and r (2) = 0.76 in 2005-2006), as was a direct measure of leaf chlorophyll in one of the post-flowering stress environments in which this was measured (r (2) = 0.42, P < 0.05). Thus the study provided useful evidence that the marker-assisted backcross transfer of stay-green QTLs from B35 into an adapted, but senescent background has the potential to enhance tolerance of post-flowering drought stress in sorghum.