Bioscience Methods 2024, Vol.15, No.3, 139-148 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm 139 Review and Progress Open Access Advances in Biotechnological Approaches to Enhance Insect Resistance in Sugarcane Kaiwen Liang Agri-Products Application Center, Hainan Institute of Tropical Agricultural Resources, Sanya, 572000, Hainan, China Corresponding email: kaiwen.liang@hitar.org Bioscience Methods, 2024, Vol.15, No.3 doi: 10.5376/bm.2024.15.0015 Received: 21 Apr., 2024 Accepted: 09 Jun., 2024 Published: 27 Jun., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Liang, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Liang K.W., 2024, Advances in biotechnological approaches to enhance insect resistance in sugarcane, Bioscience Methods, 15(3): 139-148 (doi: 10.5376/bm.2024.15.0015) Abstract Various genetic engineering strategies have been successfully implemented to improve insect resistance in sugarcane. These include the overexpression of cry proteins, vegetative insecticidal proteins (vip), lectins, and proteinase inhibitors (PI). Advanced techniques such as host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) and CRISPR/Cas9 have also shown promise in providing sustainable insect pest control. The application of these biotechnological tools has led to the creation of transgenic sugarcane lines with high resistance to pests like the sugarcane stem borer, resulting in substantial reductions in pest-induced yield losses. The advancements in biotechnological approaches have significantly contributed to the development of insect-resistant sugarcane varieties. These innovations not only enhance crop yield and quality but also offer environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides. This study aims to explore and summarize the recent advances in biotechnological approaches to enhance insect resistance in sugarcane (Saccharumspp.). Keywords Sugarcane; Insect resistance; Genetic engineering; CRISPR/Cas9; Transgenic plants 1 Introduction Sugarcane (Saccharumspp.) is a vital crop cultivated extensively in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. It is the primary source of sugar, fulfilling approximately 70% of the global sugar demand, and is also a significant contributor to bioethanol production (Mustafa et al., 2018; Ali et al., 2019; Yang et al., 2020). The crop is grown on about 26 million hectares across more than 90 countries, with Brazil and India being the largest producers (Geetha et al., 2018). The complex genetic makeup and vegetative propagation of sugarcane make it a unique and challenging crop for genetic improvement (Budeguer et al., 2021). Sugarcane is not only crucial for sugar production but also plays a significant role in the bioenergy sector, accounting for 40% of the world's biofuel production (Budeguer et al., 2021). The crop's economic importance is underscored by its contribution to the livelihoods of millions of farmers and its role in the global sugar industry. Additionally, sugarcane's potential for high biomass yield makes it an attractive candidate for sustainable bioenergy production (Yadav et al., 2020; Shabbir et al., 2021). Insect pests pose a significant threat to sugarcane cultivation, leading to substantial yield losses and reduced sugar recovery. Major pests such as moth borers, white grubs, and scales can cause up to 10%~15% losses in sugar recovery and 8%~10% yield losses at the farmer's level (Geetha et al., 2018). The use of pesticides, while common, has not been particularly effective against these pests and poses risks to beneficial insects, human health, and the environment. The genetic complexity and lack of resistant genes in sugarcane further complicate conventional breeding efforts to develop insect-resistant varieties (Budeguer et al., 2021; Iqbal et al., 2021). Given the limitations of traditional breeding and chemical control methods, biotechnological interventions offer promising solutions to enhance insect resistance in sugarcane. Genetic engineering techniques, such as the overexpression of cry proteins, vegetative insecticidal proteins (vip), lectins, and proteinase inhibitors (PI), have shown potential in developing insect-resistant sugarcane varieties (Verma et al., 2022). Advanced biotechnological tools like host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) and CRISPR/Cas9 also hold promise for sustainable pest management (Iqbal et al., 2021; Shabbir et al., 2021).
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