International Journal of Molecular Evolution and Biodiversity, 2025, Vol.15, No.2, 73-83 http://ecoevopublisher.com/index.php/ijmeb 80 In West Africa, the WASAP project gathered many local sorghum types and studied them using genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS). The results showed a high level of genetic diversity. Researchers also found key gene regions linked to traits like flowering time and plant height (Faye et al., 2021). These findings helped breeders create new sorghum varieties that grow well in West Africa’s climate. Thanks to this work, farming in the region has become more stable, helping more people get enough food (Enyew et al., 2021). 7 Impact of Climate Change on Sorghum Genetic Diversity 7.1 Climate-driven selection pressures on germplasm Climate change is putting more stress on sorghum. To survive, the plants need to cope with new problems like heat, drought, and pests. Sorghum’s genetic diversity plays a key role in helping it adapt. For example, one study on Ethiopian sorghum showed that it contains many rare gene types. These genes help the plant grow in different climates (Girma et al., 2020). In Senegal, researchers found that local sorghum had special gene changes that help it survive in very hot and dry areas. These cases show how climate changes can shape the way sorghum evolves. They also highlight why genetic diversity is so important for future adaptation. But not all regions have enough genetic variety. In the U.S., sorghum breeding uses a smaller range of genetic types. This makes it harder to develop new varieties that can deal with rising temperatures. To fix this, breeding programs need to include sorghum types from more places to bring in new traits and improve the crop’s ability to handle climate change. 7.2 Identification of climate-resilient sorghum varieties To find sorghum types that can handle climate stress, scientists study sorghum collections from around the world. Some traditional types (landraces) have special gene versions, called alleles, that help them survive in tough conditions. In one study, researchers created a group of sorghum plants using wild and exotic types. These new plants had unique alleles that could be useful in breeding (Mace et al., 2020). In Ethiopia, genome studies also found genes that help sorghum survive problems like drought and cold (Menamo et al., 2020). GWAS (genome-wide association studies) are helpful too. They have found gene regions linked to important traits like plant height and flower shape. These traits help sorghum adapt to different environments (Morris et al., 2012). In Senegal, SNP markers for drought resistance were found in the same parts of the genome as other known helpful genes. This shows that some parts of the sorghum genome are key to surviving in hot, dry climates (Faye et al., 2019). 7.3 Strategies for future adaptation To make sorghum ready for the future, we need to use more diverse types in breeding. This helps bring in new genes from wild or less-used sorghum and increases the plant’s ability to cope with stress (Tack et al., 2017). We also need better tools to improve sorghum. New methods in genomics and phenomics can help link genes to traits in different environments. These tools make it easier and faster for breeders to find useful genes (Boyles et al., 2018). It’s also important to study how sorghum reacts to the environment and how traits are connected. This helps breeders pick types that grow well in many different places (Enyew et al., 2021). 8 Challenges and Future Directions in Sorghum Genetic Diversity Studies 8.1 Gaps in existing research and data Although significant progress has been made in sorghum research, some core issues remain unresolved. One of the biggest uncertainties actually comes from our insufficient understanding of gene function. Although a large amount of DNA data has been accumulated, it is still not easy to accurately match this information with specific traits, such as drought resistance. In addition, the limitations of germplasm resources also pose practical challenges in certain regions. In countries like Nigeria and Mali, the genetic basis of sorghum is relatively narrow, which directly limits the space for exploring the potential of new varieties. Even in Ethiopia, which has abundant germplasm resources, it is still far from reaching the level of "understanding thoroughly". Many potential local resources have yet to be
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNA==