Scientists with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service have discovered genes in sorghum that can double the amount of grain the plant produces. Nebraska Sorghum Producers Association and Sorghum Board Executive Director Nate Blum says they’re about these findings and it’s tied to a gene known as MSD1.

He says increasing yield is important for sorghum producers but so is developing processing facilities to make the crop more valuable.

Blum says the hope is the research findings may entice more growers to plant sorghum.

The ARS scientists also noted the gene they discovered could lead to higher yields in other crops such as corn, wheat and rice.