Bioscience Methods 2024, Vol.15, No.3, 139-148 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm 140 This study reviews recent advances in biotechnological approaches to improving pest resistance in sugarcane and explores future prospects and strategies for incorporating biotechnological solutions into sugarcane breeding programs to achieve sustainable pest management and increase crop productivity. By examining the current state of genetic engineering technologies and their applications, this study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the potential and challenges of these technologies, which will help to understand and develop innovative strategies to improve pest resistance and ensure the sustainability and productivity of this globally important crop. 2 Traditional Methods for Insect Control in Sugarcane 2.1 Chemical control: pesticides and their limitations Chemical control through the use of pesticides has been a common practice for managing insect pests in sugarcane. Pesticides are often employed to reduce the population of harmful insects that can significantly impact sugarcane yield. However, the overreliance on chemical pesticides has led to several issues. One major limitation is the development of resistance among insect populations, which diminishes the effectiveness of these chemicals over time (Siegwart et al., 2015; Li et al., 2023). Additionally, pesticides can have adverse effects on non-target organisms, including beneficial insects, and pose risks to human health and the environment (Iqbal et al., 2021; Kumari et al., 2022). The environmental impact includes contamination of soil and water resources, which can lead to broader ecological imbalances (Li et al., 2023). 2.2 Cultural practices and biological control measures Cultural practices and biological control measures offer alternative strategies for managing insect pests in sugarcane. Cultural practices include techniques such as crop rotation, intercropping, and the use of resistant sugarcane varieties. These methods aim to create an unfavorable environment for pests, thereby reducing their impact (Showler, 2019). Biological control involves the use of natural enemies of pests, such as predators, parasitoids, and pathogens, to keep pest populations in check. Mass rearing and release of natural enemies have been pivotal in the success of biological control programs (Xuan, 2024). For instance, the release of Trichogramma species has been shown to effectively manage lepidopteran borers in sugarcane fields (Sharma et al., 2020). These methods are environmentally friendly and sustainable, as they do not involve harmful chemicals and help maintain ecological balance (Sharma et al., 2020; Li et al., 2023). 2.3 Drawbacks of conventional approaches Despite their benefits, conventional approaches to insect control in sugarcane have several drawbacks. Chemical control methods, while initially effective, often lead to the development of resistant insect populations, necessitating the use of higher doses or more potent chemicals, which can exacerbate environmental and health issues (Figure 1) (Siegwart et al., 2015; Iqbal et al., 2021; Li et al., 2023). Cultural practices, although beneficial, may not always provide complete protection against pests and can be labor-intensive and time-consuming (Showler, 2019). Biological control measures, while sustainable, can be inconsistent in their effectiveness due to factors such as environmental conditions and the availability of natural enemies (Sharma et al., 2020). Additionally, the integration of these methods requires careful planning and monitoring to ensure their success and sustainability (Sharma et al., 2020; Li et al., 2023). While traditional methods for insect control in sugarcane, including chemical, cultural, and biological approaches, have their advantages, they also present significant limitations. These challenges highlight the need for more advanced and integrated pest management strategies to ensure sustainable and effective control of insect pests in sugarcane cultivation. 3 Biotechnological Strategies to Enhance Insect Resistance in Sugarcane 3.1 Genetic engineering approaches 3.1.1 Transgenic sugarcane: gene insertion techniques Genetic engineering has been pivotal in developing insect-resistant sugarcane. Techniques such as Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and microprojectile bombardment have been employed to introduce insecticidal genes into sugarcane. For instance, the Bt insecticidal gene Cry1Ab has been successfully integrated into sugarcane using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, resulting in transgenic lines that exhibit strong
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