Innovative Breeding Insights to Enhance Tolerance Towards Sucking Pests of Sugarcane
摘要
Sugarcane (Saccharum spp. Hybrids) plays an essential role globally as a source of sugar and biofuel. However, its yield potential is frequently threatened by biotic stress, especially sucking insect pests such as aphids, hoppers, mealybugs, scale insects, and whiteflies, which have been alarming in recent years. These pests diminish yield and sucrose quality and serve as vectors for plant diseases, amplifying substantial economic losses. Traditional breeding approaches have improved sugarcane yield and pest resistance over the years. Nevertheless, challenges persist because of its intricate polyploid genome and restricted genetic diversity, which hinder the development of resistant varieties. Recent innovations in sugarcane breeding now incorporate molecular and biotechnological tools, notably CRISPR, RNA interference (RNAi), and marker-assisted selection (MAS) to enhance pest resistance traits. CRISPR and RNAi enable precise gene manipulation, targeting pest-vulnerable genes, while MAS allows efficient identification and integration of pest-resistant traits into new varieties. These methods collectively offer a sustainable alternative to conventional pesticide reliance, minimizing environmental impact and improving crop resilience. Nonetheless, integrating these advanced tools into practical breeding faces technical, regulatory, and cost-related challenges, which must be addressed for effective implementation in resistance varietal development programs. The chapter provides insights into how these novel breeding techniques can be harmonized with traditional crop breeding to develop sugarcane-resistant varieties to mitigate the impact of sucking pests, ultimately contributing toward sustainable and resilient sugarcane cultivation.