Search Results (133)

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is crucial for sweetener production but is highly susceptible to diseases such as orange rust, caused by Puccinia kuehnii. In the northwestern Colombian Amazon, sugarcane is increasingly cultivated, mainly for panela production, a traditional sweetener. However, the introduction of sugarcane has occurred without systematic planning, resulting in limited knowledge about cultivars’ characteristics and disease susceptibility. This study aimed to characterize sugarcane cultivars in the region and assess the occurrence and field-level impact of orange rust, while also confirming the identity of the pathogen using molecular and morphological analysis. We identified five sugarcane cultivars, with only CP 57-603 having an official designation, while the others were known by local names: Regional Without Fuzz, Hairy Purple, and two unnamed genotypes (Cultivar-1 and -2). CP 57-603 and Regional Without Fuzz were the most commonly cultivated (by 49.2% and 74.5% of farms, respectively), while Cultivar-1 (11.8%), Cultivar-2 (7.8%), and Hairy Purple (1.96%) were less frequent. Orange rust was detected in 72% of farms with CP 57-603, 66% with Regional Without Fuzz, and 50% with Cultivar-1, but was absent in farms growing Cultivar-2 and Hairy Purple. Molecular analysis of the ITS1/2 region revealed a single haplotype within the P. kuehnii population, indicating low diversity at this locus in the region. Phylogenetic analysis grouped our ITS1/2 haplotype within a clade alongside isolates from the Americas. Morphological characterization of the pathogen showed no significant trait variation among samples. These findings confirm the presence of P. kuehnii in the region and highlight the urgent need for cultivar diversification and improved disease management to safeguard sugarcane production. Full article

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp. L.), traditionally cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions, is being explored for its agronomic viability in Mediterranean climates. This study assessed the bio-agronomic performance of seven sugarcane varieties and two accessions grown in Sicily, to enhance the fermentation process to produce rum agricole, a spirit derived from fresh cane juice. Agronomic evaluations revealed significant varietal differences, with juice yields of 5850−14,312 L ha⁻¹ and sugar yields of 1.84–5.33 t ha⁻¹. Microbial control was achieved through the addition of lactic acid, which effectively suppressed undesirable bacterial growth and improved fermentation quality. Furthermore, the application of two selected Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains (MN113 and SPF21), isolated from high-sugar matrices such as manna and honey byproducts, affected the production of volatile compounds, particularly esters and higher alcohols. Sensory analysis confirmed a more complex aromatic profile in cane wines fermented with these selected yeasts, with overall acceptance scores reaching 7.5. Up to 29 aroma-active compounds were identified, including ethyl esters and higher alcohols. This research represents the first integrated approach combining lactic acid treatment and novel yeast strains for the fermentation of sugarcane juice in a Mediterranean context. The findings highlight the potential for high-quality rum agricole production in Sicily. Full article

In Ecuador, sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) is a grass of great socioeconomic impact due to the employment rate involved in its cultivation and its use as a raw material for obtaining sugar and other derivatives. The industrial processing of the usable sugarcane material generates an excessive amount of waste, including leaves, bagasse, molasses, and other types of organic residues. Waste treatment systems have demonstrated inefficiency in the degradation time with respect to the harmful effects they cause. In this study, the dynamics of two genera of phytopathogenic microorganisms (Colletotrichum spp. and Rhizopus spp.) in the decomposition of sugarcane organic wastes were tested by analyzing the proximate composition, biodegradation characteristics, microbial incidence, and amino acid content. The results showed that inoculation with a combination of 2.00 × 10⁶ spores/mL of Colletotrichum spp. and 2.00 × 10⁶ spores/mL of Rhizopus spp., corresponding to treatment T4, led to a higher degree of biodegradation of the residues and aspartic amino acid content, with an incidence of 14.11 mmol/100 g. The amount of amino acids was not closely related to the addition of microorganisms, since the wastes belonging to the control treatment were not recorded as the wastes with the lowest concentration. On the other hand, the different treatments induced variations in the quantification of microorganisms in each biodegraded waste, reporting an average of 5.43 × 10⁴ CFU/g of mesophilic bacteria and 6.52 × 10⁴ CFU/g of fungi with treatment T2. The amounts obtained highlighted the predominance of cycles of increase and decrease in the concentration of microorganisms in a compost according to the stage of compost maturation. Full article

Chitosan nanoparticles (CsNPs) are biocompatible, biodegradable, and non-toxic natural polymers at low concentrations with diverse applications in in vitro plant tissue culture. This study aims to evaluate the effect of CsNPs during in vitro multiplication of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) using temporary immersion bioreactors. CsNPs were evaluated at concentrations of 0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg L⁻¹ in Murashige and Skoog liquid culture medium. After four weeks of culture, response percentage, the number of shoots per explant, shoot length, number of leaves per explant, dry matter, chlorophyll content, β-carotene content, lipid peroxidation, phenolic content, hydrogen peroxide content, and antioxidant capacity were evaluated. The results showed that the highest response percentages were obtained in the treatments with 0, 25, and 50 mg L⁻¹ CsNPs, whereas the lowest response percentages were obtained in the treatments with 100 and 200 mg L⁻¹ CsNPs. Concentrations of 25 and 50 mg L⁻¹ CsNPs promoted cell growth and differentiation, whereas 100 and 200 mg L⁻¹ CsNPs inhibited it. Chlorophyll content increased by 25 and 50 mg L-1 CsNPs, whereas β-carotene content increased by 100 and 200 mg L⁻¹ CsNPs. Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant capacity increased with increasing CsNP concentrations. The phenolic content increased by 100 mg L⁻¹ CsNPs, whereas the hydrogen peroxide content decreased with increasing CsNP concentrations. In conclusion, CsNPs are an alternative for stimulating tissue growth and differentiation during the in vitro multiplication of sugarcane. Full article

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) stands out in the context of sustainable agricultural production due to its versatility and energy potential. However, management challenges, such as nitrogen (N) fertilization associated with microbiological action, require improvement. In this context, the use of the bacterium Azospirillum brasilense has been studied as an alternative to reducing the use of mineral fertilizers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the application of Azospirillum brasilense in the planting furrow of sugarcane in terms of leaf diagnosis, nutrient uptake, yield and technological quality of the stalks, and total fresh and dry biomass of the aerial parts of the plants. The experiment was conducted under field conditions at two locations during the 2022/2023 growing season. The soils in Areas 1 and 2 were classified as medium-textured oxisol and sandy-textured oxisol, respectively. The experimental design was a randomized block design with four replications. The treatments were as follows: (T1) 28 kg ha⁻¹ of N; (T2) 14 kg ha⁻¹ of N; (T3) T2 + 0.2 L ha⁻¹ of inoculant; (T4) T2 + 0.4 L ha⁻¹ of inoculant; (T5) T2 + 0.6 L ha⁻¹ of inoculant; (T6) T2 + 0.8 L ha⁻¹ of inoculant. In Area 1, treatment T5 showed a total fresh biomass yield of the aerial parts that was 34% higher than T2. Total dry biomass, tillering, stalk yield, and technological parameters did not differ significantly between treatments in either area. In terms of nutrient uptake, treatment T5 consistently ranked among those with the highest averages for P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, and Zn in both experimental areas. The dendrogram showed similar results between treatments T1 and T5. The application of 0.6 L ha⁻¹ of the solution containing Azospirillum brasilense, combined with 50% of the recommended N dose, increased total fresh biomass production. Total dry biomass, stalk yield, tillering, and technological variables of the crop were not affected by the presence of the bacterium. Full article

Sugarcane rust diseases are caused by Puccinia melanocephala (brown rust) and Puccinia kuehnii (orange rust), and significantly threaten the sustainable and stable development of the global sugarcane industry. Erianthus arundinaceus within the Saccharum complex is a potential germplasm resource for sugarcane breeding and is characterized by its tolerance of infertile land, drought, and diseases. However, the research on resistance to rust in E. arundinaceus clones and their offspring (F1 and backcross with modern sugarcane varieties) is limited. In this study, a total of 201 leaf samples from Saccharum spp. hybrids with rust symptoms were collected and screened for disease occurrence. PCR detection revealed that 17.9% and 34.8% of the samples were infected by P. melanocephala and P. kuehnii, respectively. Additionally, 12.9% of the samples were infected by both pathogens. A total of 88 clones of E. arundinaceus offspring and the parents plus 3 additional E. arundinaceus were selected for the identification of brown rust resistance by an artificial inoculation method. Among them, 61 clones displayed high resistance to brown rust. Molecular detection showed that 13 offspring of E. arundinaceus and 6 backcross parents of the “ROC” series exhibited the major resistance gene (Bru1) for brown rust. Unexpectedly, the Bru1 gene was absent in 42 clones that were resistant to brown rust, suggesting that other resistance genes for brown rust likely exist in E. arundinaceus and their offspring. Our results offer some significant genetic resources for developing sugarcane cultivars with resistance against rust. Full article

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is a crop of significant industrial and nutritional value, essential for producing various products. Due to its importance, genetic improvement programs involve a rigorous selection process. In this study, growth curve models were used to analyze the maturity curves of 33 hybrids (currently in the adaptability testing phase) and 6 control varieties (MEX 69-290, ITV 92-1424, CP 72-2086, COLMEX 94-8, COLMEX 95-27, RB 85-5113) during both plant and ratoon periods at the Melchor Ocampo Sugar Mill fields in Jalisco, México. With the use of clustering techniques, the materials were classified into four maturity groups: early, early–intermediate, intermediate–late, and late. Hybrids with a larger intercept and smaller slope were classified as having early and early–intermediate maturity. Conversely, hybrids with a smaller intercept and larger slope were classified as having intermediate–late and late maturity. According to the Connectivity and Dunn indexes, the DBSCAN algorithm provides the best clustering structure for materials in the plant cycle, while for the ratoon cycle, the k-means algorithm offers the best clustering structure. This highlights the versatility of each algorithm in the context of hybrid and varietal maturity analysis. These results are crucial for optimizing the productivity and sustainability of the crop, with significant implications for the sugar industry. Full article

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) hybrid, one of the most important crops in Florida, has been affected by orange rust (OR) disease caused by Puccinia kuehnii since 2007, resulting in significant yield loss. Developing resistant cultivars to this disease has become an important goal in sugarcane breeding programs. However, the specific genes and molecular mechanisms underlying the resistance to OR disease in sugarcane are still not clear. In this study, we selected two sugarcane sister lines with different genotypes—showing contrasting resistance responses to the disease—from a major quantitative trait loci (QTL) region controlling OR disease resistance. Morphological and anatomical observations revealed that the resistant line (540) had significantly smaller stomatal size and lower stomatal density than the susceptible line (664). Transcriptomic analyses showed that resistant line 540 had increased cell surface modification activity, suggesting possible increased surface receptors. Differentially expressed gene and coexpression analyses also revealed key genes involved in the biosynthesis of anti-fungal molecules, such as hordatines, arabidopyrones, and alkaloids. They also showed a strong increase in long non-coding RNA expression, playing a role in transcriptional regulation. Transcriptomic–metabolomic joint analysis suggested that the biosynthesis of phenylpropanoid derivatives with purported antioxidant and anti-fungal capabilities increased in line 540, especially those deriving from ferulate. Genes, pathways, and some single-nucleotide polymorphisms identified in this study will provide fundamental information and resources to advance the knowledge of sugarcane molecular genetic mechanisms in relation to OR disease, supporting breeding programs in developing cultivars with improved resistance to OR. Full article

This research investigates how to estimate sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) yield at harvest by using an average satellite image time-series collected during the growth phase. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of various modeling approaches, including a heteroskedastic gamma regression model, Random Forest, and Artificial Neural Networks, in predicting sugarcane yield based on satellite-derived vegetation indices and environmental variables. Key covariates analyzed include sugarcane varieties, production cycles, accumulated precipitation during the growth phase, and the mean GNDVI vegetation index. The analysis was conducted in two locations over two consecutive growing seasons. The research emphasizes the integration of satellite data with advanced statistical and machine learning techniques to enhance yield prediction in agricultural systems, specifically focusing on sugarcane cultivation. The results indicate that the heteroskedastic gamma regression model outperformed the other methods in explaining yield variability, particularly in commercial sugarcane fields, achieving a Coefficient Determination ($R^2$) of 0.89. These findings highlight the potential of these models to support informed decision-making and optimize agricultural practices, providing valuable insights for precision farming. Overall, the results of this study represent an initial step toward developing more robust models for predicting sugarcane yield. Future work will involve incorporating additional variables to better assess the impacts of environmental stresses, such as high temperatures and water deficits, on the crop’s agronomic performance. Full article

Boron (B) is an essential and widely studied element in plants. Due to B dynamics in highly weathered soils, its concentration is generally low. Among other benefits, B interacts with calcium pectate, promotes stability on cellular membrane, and influences directly on plant nutrients uptake and non-structural metabolites synthesis. In sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) crop, adequate B supply has been associated with juice quality and yield of stalks and sugar and its response on adequate B concentration on commercial fields can differ greatly even into a group of varieties recommended for the same production environment. In this context, the authors aimed to assess the effects of B availability on sugarcane root and shoot development, nutrient status, and carbohydrate synthesis and allocation in two sugarcane varieties recommended for the same production environment using hydroponic solution. The experimental design was completely randomized and consisted of four treatments and four replicates. The treatments comprised two sugarcane varieties (RB867515 and RB92579) and two B concentrations (0.05 and 0.5 mg L⁻¹) considered deficient and adequate, respectively, for plant development. Carbohydrate partitioning, nutrient concentrations in various plant parts, and growth and morphological parameters were evaluated. Under adequate B supply, the total concentrations of reducing sugars and sucrose increased 67 and 20% in RB867515 and 30 and 20% in RB92579, respectively, whereas starch decreased by 27% for both varieties. Adequate B supply increased the concentrations of all elements in all plant organs, except for N and K in leaves, and improved most yield and morphological parameters. Principal component analysis correlated the higher carbohydrates concentration and yield parameters with the variety RB92579, whereas the highest concentration of most nutrients was mainly associated with the variety RB867515, especially under adequate B supply. The main influence of adequate B supply was on carbohydrate synthesis. Although the sugarcane varieties responded differently to B availability, their biometric parameters were enhanced by adequate B supply. These results emphasize the need for B fertilization, regardless of the sugarcane variety’s susceptibility to B deficiency. Full article

Sugarcane is one of the most economically important crops, particularly in Brazil, which is the largest sugarcane producer globally. Sugarcane smut, caused by the fungus Sporisorium scitamineum (Syd.), is a major disease of this crop. This study investigated the response of 165 sugarcane genotypes to smut infection under greenhouse conditions using the needle-bud puncture method. The disease incidence, the Area Under the Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC), and the relative Area Under the Disease Progress Curve (rAUDPC) were calculated, along with broad-sense heritability (h²) and the genotype’s effects. Spearman’s correlation coefficient (r²) was used to determine the correlation between the number of corresponding genotypes with smut incidence in both the greenhouse and the field. The incidence of smut ranged from 0% to 88%, and AUDPC values varied from 0 to 500 for 131 of the 165 genotypes. Based on the rAUDPC, 54 genotypes were classified as highly resistant. The correlation between greenhouse and field disease expression was positive and moderately strong (r² = 61%), and the h² value in greenhouse conditions was 74%. The needle-bud puncture method combined with the rAUDPC values was promising for identifying susceptible genotypes and highlighting potential smut-resistant genotypes. Full article

This study aims to enhance the efficiency of mechanized sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) harvesting by optimizing the maneuvers of the auxiliary vehicle (infield wagon) operating in tandem with the harvester. The optimization focuses on increasing productivity and reducing soil compaction in high-traffic maneuver areas. A comprehensive three-year experimental study was conducted in agricultural fields at a Brazilian mill, where extensive field data and economic parameters were collected to simulate and compare maneuvering techniques on both flat and sloped terrain. To evaluate the synchronization between the harvester and the infield wagon under non-optimized scenarios, a Maneuver Simultaneity Index (MSI) was developed. The results demonstrated that the optimized “P-optimized” technique, which utilizes dedicated maneuvering spaces, significantly increased economic returns per hour worked by reducing maneuver times across various terrain types. Additionally, fuel consumption decreased with the adoption of the optimized maneuver pattern, leading to lower operational costs and reduced environmental impact. These findings highlight the economic and operational feasibility of optimizing maneuver patterns, particularly in flat areas, and provide a sustainable framework adaptable for improving efficiency and productivity in diverse mechanized agricultural operations. Full article

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.), a critical crop for sugar and bioenergy production, faces challenges in genetic improvement due to limited genetic diversity from selective breeding. Expanding genetic resources through intergeneric hybridization, particularly with Narenga porphyrocoma, offers a promising avenue to introduce traits like stress resistance and high biomass productivity. However, verifying true hybrids remains challenging with traditional morphological methods. This study employed tetra-primer ARMS-PCR and genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) to accurately identify intergeneric hybrids between S. officinarum and N. porphyrocoma. Species-specific primers were designed based on SNPs in the nrDNA-ITS region for ARMS-PCR, enabling effective differentiation of parental and hybrid genotypes, while GISH confirmed the chromosomal composition of hybrids, revealing an n + n inheritance pattern. The results demonstrated the potential of N. porphyrocoma to improve sugarcane’s tillering and leaf length, although sucrose content was lower in hybrids, suggesting the need for further breeding efforts. This study uniquely contributes to sugarcane breeding by providing an effective method for hybrid verification and laying a foundation for incorporating beneficial N. porphyrocoma genes into sugarcane cultivars. Full article

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is globally considered an important crop for sugar and biofuel production. During sugarcane production, the heavy reliance on chemical nitrogen fertilizer has resulted in low nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and high loss. Up until now, there has been extensive research on the transcriptomic dynamics during sugarcane response to low nitrogen (LN) stress. However, the specific contribution of S. spontaneum to the NUE of modern sugarcane remains unclear. In the present study, the comparative transcriptome analysis of two contrasting sugarcane cultivars in response to nitrogen deficiency was performed via the combination of genomes of S. spontaneum and S. officinarum. Sub-genome analysis indicated that S. spontaneum supports the high NUE of modern sugarcane by providing genes related to nitrogen and carbohydrate metabolism, photosynthesis, and amino acid metabolism. Additionally, the key genes involved in nitrogen metabolism from the S. spontaneum were successfully identified through weighted gene co-expression network analyses (WGCNA), and a high-affinity nitrate transporter named ScNRT2.3 was subsequently cloned. Heterogeneous expression of the ScNRT2.3, a cell membrane-localized protein, could enhance the growth of Arabidopsis under low nitrate conditions. Furthermore, a conserved protein module known as NAR2.1/NRT2.3 was shown to regulate the response to LN stress in sugarcane roots through molecular interaction. This work helps to clarify the contribution of S. spontaneum to the NUE in modern sugarcane, and the function of the ScNRT2.3 in sugarcane. Full article

Sugarcane Pokkah Boeng (PB), a fungal disease caused by Fusarium spp., poses a significant threat to sugar industries globally. Breeding sugarcane varieties resistant to PB has become a priority, and the mining of PB resistance genes and the development of molecular markers provide a solid foundation for this purpose. This work comprehensively analyzes the genetic components of sugarcane’s resistance to PB using transcriptome sequencing. A segregating population was created by crossing the susceptible parent ROC25 with the resistant parent Yunzhe89-7, which is a traditional cultivar known for its PB resistance. Transcriptome analysis uncovered many differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with PB resistance. Utilizing weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), we identified gene modules closely related to disease phenotypes. We annotated their functions with bioinformatics tools, particularly focusing on genes enriched in the plant immune response’s MAPK signaling pathway and ABC transporter synthesis pathways. In addition, by integrating whole-genome resequencing data of parental lines and transcriptome data of progeny, we identified a series of putative molecular markers that potentially effectively differentiate between highly resistant and susceptible materials. Our study provides crucial genetic resources and molecular methodologies that are essential for the advancement of sugarcane varieties with improved resistance to PB. These innovations are expected to accelerate the breeding process greatly. Full article