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Sugarcane is an important, commercial crop with potential industrial and bioenergy perspective. Despite considerable advancements in varietal improvement made using conventional breeding programmes, further genetic improvement of elite sugarcane genotypes is necessary. However, genetic improvement is restricted due to the genetic complexity, low fertility, non-flowering nature, and long duration of the crop. In this context, sugarcane biotechnology offers a valuable tool to introduce commercially important traits into elite genotypes. Redesigning of sugarcane varieties with tolerance to biotic (pathogen and insect pests), abiotic stresses (herbicide, drought, salinity, salt, etc.) and quality parameters (sucrose accumulation) by using genetic engineering offers a better way for tailoring the genetic architecture of plants. Advanced methodologies are now available to generate transgenic sugarcane with novel genes for desirable agronomic attributes. Genetically modified sugarcane has been approved for commercial cultivation in Indonesia and Brazil, and in other countries, transgenic products are in different stages of field trials and/or commercialization. These include transgenics with genes conferring resistance to diseases and pests, salt and drought tolerance, and high sucrose or herbicide tolerance. Sugarcane is also considered as a “biofactory” for the production of high-value bioactive compounds due to high biomass production potential. Many studies have shown the generation of products of industrial relevance in sugarcane. Transgenic technology offers potential opportunities for achieving increased productivity and resistance/tolerance to biotic/abiotic stresses and production of novel products in sugarcane for industrial and nonindustrial purposes. |
