Genome-wide identification and characterization of the strigolactone (SL) pathway and associated genes in sorghum

Strigolactones (SLs) are a novel class of plant hormones that play critical roles in regulating developmental processes and stress tolerance. Even though the SL-related genes have been identified and characterized in model plants such as Arabidopsis and rice, characterization of SL-related genes in crop plants, particularly dry land crops like sorghum (Sorghum bi-color), have yet to be fully explored. In this study, the SL-pathway and associated genes and their expression patterns under abiotic stress were systematically identified and characterized in the sorghum. This study identified the SL pathway and associated genes, including biosynthesis (D27, CCD7, CCD8, MAX1 and LBO) and signaling (D14, MAX2, D53). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all SL-related genes are highly conserved among plant species. Further-more, the expression analysis showed that most SL-related genes are involved in cold, drought and simulated drought/ABA stress response. These findings provide valuable information for further investigation and functional characterization of SL-biosynthetic and signaling genes in response to abiotic stresses in sorghum.