Mutation in sorghum <i>LOW GERMINATION STIMULANT 1</i> alters strigolactones and causes <i>Striga</i> resistance

Significance The parasitic weed Striga is the greatest biological constraint to production of many crops in Africa and parts of Asia. Genetic control is the most feasible means of crop protection from this pest. We report on identification of a gene regulating Striga resistance in sorghum and the associated change in strigolactone chemistry. Knowing this gene and its various natural alleles, sorghum breeders can design markers within it to facilitate its transfer into improved varieties providing farmers effective control of Striga in infested fields. The gene could also be used to potentially improve Striga resistance through genome editing in crops such as maize that evolved away from Striga , and hence have a paucity of Striga resistance genes.