Sugarcane Breeding, Germplasm Development and Related Molecular Research in China

Sugarcane is the most important sugar crop in China. In this paper, we reviewed advances in sugarcane breeding, germplasm development and breeding-related molecular research in China. From the 1950s to now, much progress has been made in China in the collection and evaluation of sugarcane germplasm, variety selection techniques and biotechnology. A total of 3300 Saccharum and related species are preserved in the China National Nursery of Sugarcane Germplasm Resources, in Kunming, Yunnan province. Through intra- and interspecific crossing between Saccharum spp. and related species, successful introgression of genes from wild germplasm including S. spontaneum, Narenga porphyrocoma, Erianthus rockii, and Erianthus fulvus has been achieved. Imported elite clones from major international sugarcane breeding programs remain an important source of parental material for variety development. A series of clones derived from innovative crosses at Hainan sugarcane breeding station with native Chinese S. spontaneum germplasm have been important parents in Chinese breeding program, leading to release of 37 commercial cultivars. Transgenic sugarcane clones with insect and disease resistance, and drought and low potassium-tolerance were also created. However, its use in commercial production remains unclear at this stage. Recently Chinese researchers published the first report of S. spontaneum genome, which is providing substantial new knowledge and unprecedented genomic resources for the genetic improvement of sugarcane. Through the efforts of breeders and researchers, the yield, sucrose content and disease resistance of sugarcane in China have been improved greatly. The current major constraints in the sugarcane industry in China are the low level of mechanized harvesting, poor ratooning and diseases such as smut, and sugarcane borer. Developing production systems and varieties suited to mechanized harvesting, resistant to smut and increased ratooning are now a high priority.