Evaluation of Agronomic Performance of β-Carotene Elevated Sorghum in Confined Field Conditions.

To help alleviate vitamin A deficiency in Africa, we have developed nutritionally enhanced sorghum with stabilized high all-trans-β-carotene accumulation. Toward the finalization of this nutritionally enhanced sorghum for food production, confined field trials were conducted to determine the agronomic performance of thirteen independent transgenic events in Iowa and Hawaii. Through these trials, three leading events with no negative impact on agronomic performance were identified. The studies described in this chapter have laid the groundwork for development of the next generation of β-carotene elevated sorghum as a food product.