The world’s most harvested crop by tonnage, sugarcane has historically played a significant role in global trade and geopolitics. However, while traditional breeding methods have adapted cultivars to different environments and pathogens, sugar yield improvements have plateaued due to limited genetic diversity and the complexity of its genome. The intricate genetic blueprint of modern hybrid sugarcane has posed a challenge, as it had been the last major crop without a complete and highly accurate genome—until now.
After a decade-long effort, scientists from The University of Queensland, Australia’s national science agency CSIRO, and Sugar Research Australia (SRA) have achieved a groundbreaking milestone by fully mapping the sugarcane genome for the first time. This monumental achievement has uncovered the crop’s genetic code, which is three times the size of the human genome and notably complex.
The comprehensive genetic sequence of sugarcane not only provides a crucial reference point for future research but also offers immense potential for crop improvement. With this newly acquired genetic map, researchers were able to pinpoint the specific locus responsible for resistance to brown rust disease, a threat capable of devastating sugar crops if left unchecked. Furthermore, the genetic sequence provides a deeper understanding of the many genes involved in sugar production.
The successful generation of a polyploid reference genome for a typical modern cultivar derived from interspecific hybridization has opened doors for advancing sugarcane biotechnology. This significant breakthrough will enable the acceleration of molecular and transgenic breeding, as well as the adaptation of sugarcane to future environmental conditions. Co-author Professor Robert Henry expressed that this marks the beginning of a genomic revolution for sugarcane, giving the crop the knowledge to compete on par with other major crops.
The completion of the sugarcane genome is a crucial turning point for the agricultural industry. It not only paves the way for targeted biotechnological advancements but also holds promise for driving the sustainable production of sugar, molasses, bioethanol, and bio-based materials. This achievement represents a remarkable stride in crop science and has the potential to revolutionize the future of sugarcane farming and global sugar production.
