Determining transpiration efficiency of bmr sorghum genotypes for progressive drought toleranceK KRomanaauthorAKunapareddyauthorRGuptaauthorAAshok KumarauthorFood and energy security are fundamental to the economic development of nations and considering environmental issues, biomass-based energy is a promising option in India through lingo-cellulosic (2G) biofuel production. High biomass sorghum is a promising feedstock for 2G biofuels production. However, higher lignin content of the biomass and water-deficit stress are major issues in enhancing biomass sorghum based biofuels production. In sorghum, brown midrib (bmr) mutants with reduced lignin content were developed.The present glass house study summarizes a screening experiment of 14 bmr sorghum lines (Atlas, Atlas bmr-12, Early hegarisart, IS 18542, Kanas collier, N 592, N 593, N 594, N 595, N 596, N 597, N 598, Roxorange and R-16) for progressive drought tolerance. The results showed that among the various bmr lines tested, N 593 had the highest transpiration efficiency in water-stressed conditions, whereas N 592 had the highest in well-watered conditions. The lowest transpiration efficiency was observed in N 597 under water stressed treatment. However, for well watered treatments the lowest was observed in N 596. The genotypes having higher transpiration efficiency has more water holding capacity for longer time under water stressed conditions. This preliminary study helps to identify genotypes with more water-holding capacity to adapt well in drought conditions. The bmr genotypes used here showed reduced lignin content vis-à- vis white midrib sorghums. The identified lines with low-lignin, high biomass and higher water holding capacity can be used as feedstocks in 2G Biofuels production after appropriate testing in target environments.Abiotic StressCrop ImprovementSorghumGenetics and Genomics2017-02Conference or Workshop Item