Biotechnological Strategies Adopted for Sugarcane Disease Management in Tucumán, Argentina

Abstract

Sugarcane diseases can be controlled by an integrated management approach where biotechnological tools can successfully contribute. The Obispo Colombres Agroindustrial Experimental Station (EEAOC) in Tucumán (Argentina’s main sugarcane producer) has successfully implemented multiple strategies that greatly enhance the productivity of sugarcane fields. The local breeding program develops resistant varieties by applying molecular markers to reveal the presence of Bru1 gene for brown rust resistance throughout the EEAOC germplasm collection. In addition, SNP alleles linked to novel sources of resistance were identified following a selective genotyping strategy. Another strategy is the implementation of a seed cane sanitation project using hydrothermal therapy, an in vitro culture technique, molecular diagnosis of diseases, and bionanoparticles. As a result, the incidence of systemic diseases has significantly decreased in the production fields. More recently, the use of biological products has shown to be effective for disease control in EEAOC varieties. In summary, several biotechnological strategies including molecular markers associated with resistant sources, in vitro culture of apical meristems, molecular diagnostic techniques, and the use of bioproducts are being successfully used for the sustainable management of sugarcane diseases in Tucumán, Argentina.

Technological Innovation in Disease Detection and Management in Sugarcane Planting

“…Additionally, there was a notable reduction in Grassy Shoot Disease incidence. These findings underscore the economic viability and practical feasibility of IDM practices in enhancing sugarcane production in India (Racedo et al, 2023).…”

“…The use of molecular markers to identify the Bru1 gene for brown rust resistance and SNP alleles linked to novel sources of resistance has been instrumental in developing resistant varieties. Furthermore, seed cane sanitation projects employing hydrothermal therapy, in vitro culture techniques, molecular diagnosis, and bionanoparticles have reduced the incidence of systemic diseases (Racedo et al, 2023). In India, agronomic approaches and physical methods like heat therapy, along with the propagation of disease-resistant varieties, have been effective in managing sugarcane diseases.…”

Molecular evaluation and phenotypic screening of brown and orange rust in Saccharum germplasm

“…These results suggest the predominance of an alternative source of resistance to brown rust or the occurrence of races of P . melanocephala that Bru1 does not confer resistance to [ 28 , 59 , 60 ]. Studies are being conducted to develop molecular markers for alternative resistance sources [ 27 , 44 ], to improve prediction of the Bru1 marker through the use of new restriction enzymes [ 61 , 62 ], and even to include the Bru1 gene as a fixed effect in genomic prediction models, which could enhance prediction accuracy [ 63 ].…”

“…Distortions in the pattern of joint segregation of molecular markers, represented by haplotypes 2 and 3, may highlight rare recombination effects [ 30 ], non-complementarity of primer sequences in the evaluated accessions [ 26 ] or yet another source of resistance to brown rust. This alternative source of resistance has great potential for identification in the field, as resistant accessions do not present either of the two markers for the Bru1 gene [ 28 , 30 , 59 , 64 , 65 ], represented by haplotype 4. Considering the ancestral germplasm, all species evaluated had at least one phenotypically resistant representative with haplotype 4, except for S .…”

Genetic Engineering for Enhancing Sugarcane Tolerance to Biotic and Abiotic Stresses

“…A transgenic event tolerant to the glyphosate herbicide was successfully obtained through the biolistic transformation using the TUC 03-12 genotype as the starting material. The resulting genotype showed greater than 99% similarity with the parental genotype [23,32].…”