Sugarcane findings carry food security promise

Scientists have unlocked the complex genetic blueprint of sugarcane, a breakthrough that promises to boost sugar yields and create more resilient crops vital for global food and bioenergy security, according to the findings of a study published in a leading journal.

The landmark findings, published Wednesday in Nature, clarify the genetic machinery behind the plant's ability to produce massive amounts of biomass and sugar. The research offers a new genetic roadmap to speed up improvements, not only for sugarcane but also for other complex crops.

Sugarcane has one of the most complicated genetic structures of any major crop, which has long frustrated efforts to breed better varieties. An international team led by the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences has now deciphered this complexity, identifying the specific genetic "switches" that control sugar storage and plant growth.

The study traces the genetic legacy of a famous cultivar known as POJ2878, widely recognized as the "King of Sugarcane". By analyzing nearly 1,000 sugarcane samples from around the world, the researchers showed that over 95 percent of modern varieties carry key genetic pieces from this king, making it the foundation of today's global sugar production.

The discovery has immediate practical value. By pinpointing the exact haplotypes - or favored versions of genes - that breeders have unknowingly selected for decades, scientists can now precisely design new varieties. The study identified specific genetic markers linked to larger cells that store more sugar and genes for cold tolerance.

He Zuhua of the Chinese Academy of Sciences said the work cracks the "high-sugar code" of sugarcane.

"It provides a new technology that can be used for other complex crops, showing that China's original research in tropical crop genetics is world-class," He said.

Lu Yanhui, president of the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, said the research offers a "Chinese solution" for improving global food crops, adding that the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences will continue to push for breakthroughs that ensure a stable sugar supply for the nation.