Journal of Environmental Biology

Improvements in biomass production: Learning lessons from the bioenergy plants maize and sorghum

Paper received: 07.04.2018??????? ??????? Revised received: 22.10.2018???????? ????????? Re-revised received: 05.11.2018?? ???? ?????????????????Accepted: 29.11.2018

Authors Info

C.C. Ogbaga¹, A.K. Bajhaiya²??? and S.K. Gupta³*

¹Department of Biological? Sciences, Nile University of? Nigeria, Abuja, 900001, Nigeria

²Department of Plant Physiology, Ume? Plant Science Centre,? Ume? University, Ume?, 90187, Sweden

³Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi-110 016, India     

*Corresponding Author Email :

sanjuenv@gmail.com

Abstract

The use of biomass energy is preferred over fossil fuels as the former is more sustainable and emits a reduced amount of greenhouse gases. Sorghum, a tropical C4 plant, is known to have a marked drought tolerance. However, very little is known about the mechanisms involved. An allied species Zea mays, also a C4 plant, is far less drought tolerant. Both plants are known to accumulate high biomass during the course of their growth cycle and can be used as renewable energy sources. This article discusses the possibilities of using these two plants for the production of improved biomass in the context of drought tolerance and sustainable food production. Crucial and novel approaches that render Sorghum more tolerant to drought have been reviewed. Novel drought tolerance mechanisms in two sorghum cultivars- Samsorg 17 (more drought tolerant) and Samsorg 40 (less drought tolerant) have also been reviewed.

Key words: Biomass energy, Drought stress, Maize, Sorghum

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