Molecular Plant Breeding 2024, Vol.15, No.5, 269-281 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/mpb 278 including genetic transformation and genomic selection, have shown promise in improving sugarcane’s resistance to environmental stresses and enhancing economically important traits such as sucrose yield and biomass production. Despite these advancements, the genetic diversity of modern sugarcane cultivars remains narrow, necessitating efforts to broaden the genetic base through international collaborations and the use of molecular markers. The future of sugarcane breeding lies in the integration of advanced genomic and phenomic approaches. The application of genomic selection (GS) and marker-assisted selection (MAS) has the potential to accelerate genetic gains by reducing breeding cycle lengths and increasing the accuracy of trait selection. However, the success of these methods depends on the development of reliable, high-throughput phenotyping techniques to accurately assess the genetic merit of sugarcane clones. Additionally, the creation of a comprehensive reference genome for sugarcane will be crucial in overcoming the current challenges posed by its complex polyploid genome. Collaborative efforts and the sharing of genetic resources across international borders will also play a vital role in enhancing the genetic diversity and resilience of future sugarcane cultivars. Efforts should be made to broaden the genetic base of sugarcane cultivars by incorporating wild relatives and underutilized germplasm into breeding programs. This can be achieved through international collaborations and the use of molecular markers to identify and introgress valuable traits. Breeding programs should integrate modern biotechnologies such as genomic selection, marker-assisted selection, and genetic transformation to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of developing new sugarcane varieties. To support genomic selection and other advanced breeding techniques, it is essential to develop and implement high-throughput phenotyping methods that can accurately and cost-effectively assess the performance of large breeding populations. Given the increasing impact of climate change, breeding efforts should prioritize the development of sugarcane varieties with enhanced tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, such as drought, salinity, and disease resistance. Continuous optimization of breeding programs, including the use of decentralized breeding networks and the incorporation of genomics and phenomics data, will be necessary to address the diverse agroclimatic conditions and improve the overall efficiency of sugarcane breeding. By following these recommendations, the sugarcane industry can achieve sustainable improvements in yield, resilience, and profitability, ensuring its continued contribution to global sugar and biofuel production. Acknowledgments The authors appreciate the two anonymous peer reviewers for their modification suggestions on the manuscript of this study. Conflict of Interest Disclosure The authors affirm that this research was conducted without any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. References Aguilar-Rivera N., Algara-Siller M., Olvera-Vargas L., and Michel-Cuello C., 2018, Land management in Mexican sugarcane crop fields, Land Use Policy, 78: 763-780. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.LANDUSEPOL.2018.07.034 Ahmad M., 2023, Plant breeding advancements with “CRISPR-Cas” genome editing technologies will assist future food security, Frontiers in Plant Science, 14: 1133036. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1133036 Aitken K., Li J., Piperidis G., Cai Q., Fan Y., and Jackson P., 2018, Worldwide genetic diversity of the wild species Saccharum spontaneum and level of diversity captured within sugarcane breeding programs, Crop Science, 58(1): 218-229. https://doi.org/10.2135/CROPSCI2017.06.0339 Baldani J., Reis V., Baldani V., and Dobereiner J., 2002, Review: a brief story of nitrogen fixation in sugarcane - reasons for success in Brazil, Functional Plant Biology, 29(4): 417-423. https://doi.org/10.1071/PP01083
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