Sugarcane research for a profitable industry

SECTION 8 RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT & ADOPTION

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Sugarcane research for a profitable industry

n By CSIRO

DRAWING upon our expertise in genetics, molecular biology and management we work closely with the Australian sugar industry to produce better sugarcane varieties.

Sucrose is produced in the sugarcane plant’s leaves and transported to storage tissue in the stem.

Sugarcane produces most of the world’s sugar and is being increasingly used for renewable energy supply through production of ethanol and electricity.

Our efforts are mainly focused on improving sugar yields to help support Australia’s $1.5 billion sugar industry. Our sugarcane research is undertaken in close collaboration with Sugar Research Australia Ltd (SRA) and the Australian sugar industry.

Harnessing sugarcane genetic diversity

Modern commercial sugarcane varieties are derived from two species. One, the ‘original sugarcane’ (Saccharum officinarum), has brought the genes for high sugar content. The other, a wild relative of sugarcane (Saccharum spontaneum), provides hardiness to harsh environments and the ability to ratoon or produce additional profitable crops from re-growth after harvest.

But there are many varieties of these two species, and other related species that may be crossed with sugarcane, that have not yet been used in breeding programs. These species are expected to provide a rich source of untapped genes for breeding programs and may provide beneficial traits to cultivated sugarcane.

Our sugarcane researchers are now evaluating plant material produced in collaboration with SRA and research institutes in China. The aim is to identify favourable traits and genes such as: n Resistance to pests and diseases, including sugarcane smut; n Biomass yield, offering potential for renewable energy production in the future; and, n More efficient water use, which is important for the sustainable production of sugarcane.

DNA markers for better sugarcane varieties

DNA markers can flag the presence and location of useful genes or detrimental genes and help breeders to select the best combinations of genes. We have identified a number of DNA markers associated with smut resistance, high sugar content and cane yield. Along with SRA, we are now testing the reliability of these markers for speeding up progress in the breeding program.

The markers have also been used to produce a detailed map of the sugarcane genome that