Molecular Plant Breeding 2024, Vol.15, No.5, 269-281 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/mpb 271 3.2 Indigenous knowledge and practices in sugarcane farming Indigenous knowledge played a crucial role in the early cultivation of sugarcane. Farmers utilized their understanding of local environmental conditions and crop management practices to optimize sugarcane growth. This included selecting planting sites with optimal soil and water conditions, using organic fertilizers, and implementing crop rotation to maintain soil fertility. Indigenous practices also involved the use of traditional pest control methods and the selection of disease-resistant varieties through experiential knowledge passed down through generations (Ram et al., 2021; Zhao et al., 2022). 3.3 The role of cultural traditions in sugarcane agriculture Cultural traditions significantly influenced sugarcane agriculture, particularly in regions where sugarcane has been cultivated for centuries. In India, for example, sugarcane cultivation dates back to 5 000 BC, and cultural practices have evolved to support the crop’s growth and sustainability. Festivals and rituals often coincided with planting and harvesting seasons, reinforcing the importance of sugarcane in the community’s social and economic life. These traditions helped preserve valuable agricultural knowledge and ensured the continued cultivation of sugarcane through community involvement and shared practices (Ram et al., 2021; Zhao et al., 2022). 4 Challenges in Traditional Sugarcane Cultivation 4.1 Issues related to pests, diseases, and environmental factors Traditional sugarcane cultivation faces significant challenges due to pests, diseases, and environmental factors. Sugarcane is highly susceptible to various biotic stresses, including fungi, bacteria, viruses, and insect pests, which can severely impact crop yield and quality. Additionally, abiotic stresses such as drought, salt, cold, heat, waterlogging, and heavy metals further constrain sugarcane production (Krishna et al., 2023). The complex polyploid genome of sugarcane makes it difficult to breed varieties that are resistant to these stresses using conventional methods (Budeguer et al., 2021). The vulnerability to pests and diseases has also been a major factor in the stagnation of yield improvements in traditional sugarcane cultivation (Rott, 2018). 4.2 Limitations of yield potential with traditional varieties Traditional sugarcane varieties often exhibit limited yield potential due to their genetic makeup and the lengthy breeding cycles required for varietal development. The classic breeding programs for sugarcane can take up to 12~14 years to identify and develop new varieties, which significantly slows down the rate of genetic gain (Mahadevaiah et al., 2021). Moreover, the low narrow-sense heritability for major commercial traits and the strong non-additive genetic effects involved in quantitative trait expression further limit the yield potential of traditional varieties (Yadav et al., 2020). The high propensity for lodging and suckering, influenced by environmental factors and crop management practices, also complicates precise phenotyping and yield prediction (Mahadevaiah et al., 2021). 4.3 Water usage, soil management, and sustainability concerns Water usage and soil management are critical concerns in traditional sugarcane cultivation. Sugarcane is a water-intensive crop, and traditional irrigation practices often lead to inefficient water use and increased vulnerability to water scarcity (Silva et al., 2023). Soil health is another major issue, as continuous sugarcane cultivation can lead to soil degradation, reduced biodiversity, and negative environmental impacts. The sustainability of traditional sugarcane farming practices is further challenged by the need for effective soil management strategies to maintain soil fertility and structure (Rott, 2018). The high water demand and the need for sustainable soil management practices highlight the importance of adopting more efficient and environmentally friendly cultivation techniques. 4.4 Economic and labor-intensive challenges Traditional sugarcane cultivation is labor-intensive and economically challenging. The process of planting, maintaining, and harvesting sugarcane requires significant manual labor, which can be costly and time-consuming. The genetic complexity and low fertility of sugarcane under natural growing conditions make traditional breeding improvement laborious and expensive. Additionally, the need for intensive and sophisticated tissue culture and plant generation procedures for genetic transformation further adds to the economic burden (Budeguer et al.,
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