Field Crop 2025, Vol.8, No.3, 102-112 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/fc 106 method to locate QTLs for resistance to smut and developed related SNP markers for rapid screening of disease-resistant genotypes at the seedling stage. Govindakurup and Mohanraj (2024) pointed out that knocking out SWEET-type susceptibility genes or regulatory transcription factors in sugarcane through CRISPR technology is expected to give plants new disease-resistant traits. A Chinese research team has established a sugarcane gene editing platform for mature embryos and stem tips, and has initially achieved target gene knockout and stable inheritance, laying the foundation for the future targeted breeding of disease-resistant fresh-eating sugarcane varieties. 4 Comprehensive Evaluation System for Market Adaptability 4.1 Multi-environment test and stability analysis In sugarcane breeding, multi-environment test (MET) is often used to evaluate the adaptability and stability of varieties. For example, Mehareb et al. (2022) conducted multi-year and multi-location trials on multiple sugarcane varieties, and used AMMI (additive model) and GGE biplot to analyze variety × environment interactions. They found that some varieties had stable stem yield and sucrose content at different ecological points and had wide adaptability. Statistical analysis showed that the dominant factors affecting the stability of sugarcane sugar yield include 11 agronomic and quality indicators such as stem yield, stem weight, number of effective stems, Brix%, sucrose content and purity. Using discriminant function analysis, these indicators can significantly distinguish high-yield and high-sugar genotypes from low-yield genotypes, thus serving as key parameters for comprehensive evaluation. In addition, some specialized stability parameters such as coefficient of variation (CV), AMMI stability value (ASV), average environmental coordinates, etc. are also used to quantify the stability performance of varieties. Through comprehensive analysis of multi-point data, high-yield and stable varieties can be selected for regional promotion. For example, in the Egyptian trial, only one new clone had a yield that exceeded the control at all locations with small fluctuations, and was recommended as a wide-adaptability variety. 4.2 Construction of comprehensive evaluation index In order to facilitate the quantitative comparison of the market adaptability of candidate varieties, a comprehensive evaluation index or decision model can be constructed. Common methods include weighted index method, principal component analysis and hierarchical analysis method (AHP). For example, Abu-Ellail et al. (2020) used discriminant analysis to construct a comprehensive score DS, which combined multiple yield and quality indicators into a score to rank the comprehensive performance of 30 sugarcane clones. Results The DS score can explain 79.2% of the variation in sugar yield and has a significant correlation with the measured sugar yield (r=0.89**), indicating that the comprehensive index better reflects the quality of the variety. In the DS ranking, stem weight, stem height, purity%, Brix% and stem yield are the most important contributing factors. This comprehensive index helps to quickly identify high-yield and high-sugar superior genotypes. For fresh sugarcane, the weight of commodity traits, such as appearance (stem color, morphological uniformity), flavor score and stress resistance score, can also be added to the comprehensive index to form a more comprehensive evaluation system. 4.3 Evaluation of market and consumer preferences Market adaptability refers not only to biological adaptation, but also to the degree of fit with market demand. On the one hand, market research can be used to obtain information on preferences for sugarcane appearance, sweetness and taste in different consumer regions, and incorporate it into variety evaluation. For example, the Guangdong market prefers yellow sugarcane that is thick, juicy, sweet but not greasy. The inland market in Guangxi may be more accepting of purple-skinned high-sugar sugarcane. This requires attention to the selection of traits preferred by the target market during breeding, and to add sensory tasting links in the later stages of regional trials, so that target consumers can score and feedback on candidate varieties. On the other hand, adapting to the market also means that the variety needs to match the local cultivation model and supply and marketing system. For example, whether it is suitable for mechanized planting and harvesting, whether the hardness of the stem nodes is conducive to long-distance transportation, and whether the perennial
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