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Intermediate wheatgrass as a dual use crop for grain and grazing
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Grain sorghum is closely related to the perennial species Sorghum halepense, or Johnsongrass. This presents The Land Institute with an opportunity to cross annual sorghum with Johnsongrass to develop a perennial grain crop adapted to tropical and subtropical climates.
Currently, annual sorghum (known as milo in the US) provides a protein-rich dietary foundation for more than 500-million people worldwide. In much of Africa and South Asia, it is consumed as a staple food crop—used in flat breads, porridges, couscous, beer, and other products.
In the US, sorghum is primarily grown for silage and syrup. A perennial grain sorghum variety could eventually serve as a perennial grain crop suited for a variety of diverse climates both in the US and internationally in continents like Africa, where the plant originated.
Continued breeding of perennial sorghum and selecting perennial plants that can endure very cold winters.
Through global collaborations, evaluation for ecological adaptation in tropical and semitropical climates.
In the long term, develop a commercially viable perennial sorghum variety with populations of perennial sorghum that could produce repeated, sufficient grain harvests without resowing.
