Early detection cold markers to expedite the sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids) breeding

Authors: Uchimiya, Sophie; REIS, ANDRE - University Of Missouri; LAGO, BRUNO - University Of Missouri; KIMBENG, COLLINS - Louisiana State University

Submitted to: ACS Agricultural Science and Technology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/13/2023
Publication Date: 12/4/2023
Citation: Uchimiya, S.M., Reis, A., Lago, B., Kimbeng, C. 2023. Early detection cold markers to expedite the sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids) breeding. Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology. 3(12): 1117-1124. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsagscitech.3c00209.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsagscitech.3c00209

Interpretive Summary: New markers were developed to detect tolerance against environmental stress. The markers can be traced at breeding nurseries using fluorescence tools and rapid assays. This will provide breeders a decision making tool to target freeze and other stress, and to develop superior varieties. This marker-directed breeding method will ultimately save processing costs at sugarcane factories by minimizing impurities in sugarcane caused by the freeze injury.

Technical Abstract: Sugarcane breeding is a lengthy and expensive process; it takes more than ten years of crossing and selection over several stages and locations to release a new variety. Targeted breeding for cold tolerance is particularly challenging, as damaging freeze does not happen every year under the subtropical climate. Only a limited number of commercial (released) varieties have been tested for freeze injury. This study aimed to develop chemical markers to detect cold tolerance in parents/clones before the freeze event to expedite the sugarcane breeding. High sucrose and low inverts were used as the benchmark chemical traits for cold tolerance. Tyrosine-like fluorophore was able to distinguish tolerant variety (HoCP04-838 maintaining low inverts after the cold snaps and subsequent temperature rises) from susceptible varieties L12-201 and Ho12-615. Trans-aconitic acid was determined to be another marker available in juice, maintaining the cultivar rankings before and after the freeze, even after the air temperature increased from sub-freeze (inducing stalk cracks) to >20 oC (enhancing juice deterioration). Developed markers could be used to select parents and clones for targeted breeding against a variety of current and forthcoming environmental stressors at the upstream of the breeding effort to expedite the release of new commercial varieties.