Decoupling Brace Root Development from Shoot Development in Sorghum: Candidate Genes Revealed by GWAS

Brace roots develop from stem nodes above the soil and are important for structural support. While the function of brace roots has been previously shown, the causative genes for brace root development have yet to be identified in sorghum. Here we used 3’ RNA sequencing in BTx623 sorghum stem nodes to determine if candidate genes from a complimentary Genome Wide Association (GWA) analysis were expressed. Of the 25 candidate genes identified in GWA analysis, 15 were expressed in at least one of the three stem nodes. Together, the combined approach of GWA analysis and RNA-sequencing analysis provides a strong foundation for identifying the causative genes for brace root development. 3' RNA-sequencing of the three stem nodes directly above the soil in three Sorghum bicolor BTx623 plants.