2012 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416): Identify the genetic map location of genes controlling pollen fertility restorer in sorghum. Identify potential candidate genes controlling pollen fertility in sorghum. Elucidate the mode of action of fertility restorer genes in controlling pollen viability in sorghum hybrids. 1b.Approach (from AD-416): Utilize existing molecular marker technology to locate the position of fertility restorer loci on the annotated gene map of sorghum. Utilize the sequence of the sorghum genome to identify genes that belong to the pentatricopeptide gene family. Utilize bioinformatic tools to compare sequence of candidate fertility restorer genes to known fertility restorer genes in rice to more accurately predict functional fertility restorer genes and to better understand the mode of gene action in restoring pollen viability. 3.Progress Report: The goal of this project is to map and clone fertility restoration genes in sorghum and identify genes conditioning cytoplasmic-male sterility. Much of the world's sorghum is grown as a hybrid crop, and understanding how cytoplasmic-male sterility and fertility restoration function is critical to the production of hybrids. With major fertility restoration gene mapping in advanced stages, efforts in FY 2012 turned to identification of mitochondrial genes conditioning cytoplasmic-male sterility in sorghum. This cloning, when completed, will provide the required information to allow plant breeders to develop new female and male lines for hybrid seed production. Over the life of this project, important information was obtained that will allow plant breeders to develop new female and male lines for hybrid seed production. Project work has provided critical information for breeders to use in developing improved sorghum varieties for U.S. and Australian farmers. This project expired in FY 2012, but aspects of the work will be continued by the parent project with informal ongoing collaboration with cooperator and others.