Bioscience Methods 2024, Vol.15, No.3, 139-148 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm 145 introduction of insect-resistant genes, such as cry proteins, into sugarcane can potentially affect non-target organisms, including beneficial insects and soil microorganisms (Iqbal et al., 2021). Additionally, there is a risk of gene flow from transgenic sugarcane to wild relatives, which could lead to unintended ecological consequences (Krishna et al., 2023). These concerns necessitate thorough environmental risk assessments and long-term monitoring to ensure the sustainability and safety of biotechnological interventions. 5.4 Economic considerations in implementing biotech solutions Implementing biotechnological solutions in sugarcane cultivation involves significant economic considerations. The development and commercialization of transgenic sugarcane require substantial investment in research and development, regulatory compliance, and field trials (Budeguer et al., 2021). Additionally, the cost of maintaining and propagating transgenic lines can be high, particularly given the challenges associated with transgene stability and expression (Arruda, 2012). Farmers may also face increased costs related to the adoption of new technologies, such as purchasing transgenic seeds and modifying agricultural practices to accommodate biotech crops (Wang et al., 2017). 6 Future Directions and Emerging Trends 6.1 Advances in genomic tools and techniques Recent advancements in genomic tools and techniques have significantly enhanced the ability to develop insect-resistant sugarcane varieties. The application of CRISPR/Cas9 and host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) has shown promise in providing sustainable control of insect pests in sugarcane (Iqbal et al., 2021). Additionally, transcriptome analysis has revealed that the integration of foreign genes, such as cry1Ac, along with endogenous stress-related genes, can synergistically improve insect resistance in sugarcane (Zhou et al., 2018). These genomic tools not only facilitate the precise editing of sugarcane genomes but also enable the identification and manipulation of key genes involved in insect resistance. 6.2 Integration of biotechnological approaches with conventional methods The integration of biotechnological approaches with conventional breeding methods offers a comprehensive strategy for enhancing insect resistance in sugarcane. Genetic engineering has been successfully employed to overexpress cry proteins, vegetative insecticidal proteins (vip), and proteinase inhibitors (PI) in transgenic sugarcane, providing significant resistance against various insect pests (Riaz et al., 2020; Iqbal et al., 2021). Moreover, combining these biotechnological advancements with traditional breeding techniques can lead to the development of sugarcane varieties that are not only insect-resistant but also possess desirable agronomic traits. For instance, transgenic sugarcane lines expressing both insect resistance and herbicide tolerance genes have shown promising results under field conditions (Wang et al., 2017). 6.3 Prospects for sustainable insect resistance in sugarcane The prospects for sustainable insect resistance in sugarcane are promising, given the advancements in both biotechnological and conventional breeding approaches. The development of transgenic sugarcane lines with high and stable transgene expression is crucial for long-term resistance management (Srikanth et al., 2011). Additionally, the identification of new insecticidal proteins with different modes of action can help overcome evolved insect resistance and prolong the effectiveness of transgenic sugarcane (Riaz et al., 2020). Field-level strategies, such as gene pyramiding and the deployment of transgenic lines with multiple resistance genes, can further enhance the sustainability of insect resistance in sugarcane (Srikanth et al., 2011; Riaz et al., 2020). Furthermore, the use of molecular marker-assisted breeding and genome-wide association studies can accelerate the development of resistant cultivars by identifying and utilizing resistance loci (Yang et al., 2019). In conclusion, the integration of advanced genomic tools, biotechnological approaches, and conventional breeding methods holds great potential for achieving sustainable insect resistance in sugarcane. Continued research and development in these areas will be essential to meet the growing demand for sugarcane and its by-products while minimizing yield losses due to insect pests. 7 Concluding Remarks The advancements in biotechnological approaches have significantly enhanced insect resistance in sugarcane.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODY0NQ==