Sugarcane is an important crop cultivated worldwide for sugar production and increasingly for biofuel. However, it faces many challenges, including low sucrose accumulation, pest attacks, and the need for herbicide-resistant varieties.
To tackle these issues, scientists have been working on improving sugarcane using biotechnology. A recent research paper explores genetic modifications in sugarcane to enhance its sucrose content, strengthen resistance to pests and herbicides, and improve overall efficiency.
Genetic Modifications to Increase Sucrose Accumulation
One of the main objectives of sugarcane biotechnology is to increase sucrose levels in the plant. Sugarcane naturally produces and stores sucrose in its stalks, but certain enzymes regulate this process. Scientists have modified specific genes involved in sugar metabolism to improve sucrose accumulation.
One major breakthrough was altering the function of enzymes such as Fructose 2,6-Bisphosphatase (FBPase2) and 6-Phosphofructo-2-Kinase (6PF2K).
These enzymes play a crucial role in controlling sugar levels in the plant. In genetically modified sugarcane, FBPase2 transgenic plants showed increased sucrose levels in leaves and internodes. However, when scientists experimented with 6PF2K, the results were inconsistent, meaning more research is needed to fully understand its role.
Another critical modification involved reducing the activity of Neutral Invertase (NI), an enzyme responsible for breaking down sucrose into glucose and fructose.
By using antisense vectors to lower NI activity, researchers observed a 50% decrease in hexose levels and a 30% increase in sucrose retention.
This means that the modified sugarcane plants stored more sucrose instead of breaking it down, which can significantly boost sugar production.
Additionally, scientists focused on two other enzymes: ADP-Glucose Pyrophosphorylase (AGPase) and β-Amylase, both of which influence starch and sugar conversion.
By reducing AGPase activity, starch levels in the plant decreased by 38%, while sucrose retention increased by 20%. On the other hand, overexpressing β-Amylase led to an almost 90% reduction in starch, but sucrose levels remained stable.
These findings suggest that manipulating sugar metabolism pathways can significantly improve sugarcane yield.With these genetic improvements, the modified sugarcane plants produced 5% to 7% more sucrose compared to traditional varieties.
This increase in sucrose content means that farmers can harvest more sugar from the same land area, making sugarcane farming more productive and profitable.
Developing Herbicide-Resistant Sugarcane
Weeds pose a significant problem in sugarcane farming as they compete with crops for nutrients, water, and sunlight.
Farmers often use herbicides to control weeds, but conventional sugarcane plants are not resistant to these chemicals, which can sometimes damage the crop itself.
To solve this issue, researchers have developed herbicide-tolerant sugarcane through genetic modification.
One of the most promising developments is the introduction of genes that make sugarcane resistant to imazapyr, a commonly used herbicide. Scientists tested different concentrations of imazapyr ranging from 0.1 to 2.5 μM in laboratory conditions.
They found that genetically modified sugarcane plants survived and continued to grow even when exposed to these herbicide levels, while traditional plants withered.
This advancement could revolutionize weed management in sugarcane farming. With herbicide-resistant sugarcane, farmers can spray herbicides freely without harming their crops.
This reduces the need for manual weed control, cutting labor costs and increasing efficiency. Additionally, since fewer herbicides would be needed over time, this modification contributes to environmentally friendly agricultural practices.
The study also suggests that adopting herbicide-resistant sugarcane could help farmers save up to 15% on weed management costs, making cultivation more economical.
Enhancing Resistance to Pests and Diseases
Another major challenge in sugarcane production is pest infestation. One of the most destructive pests is Eldana saccharina, a stalk-boring insect that damages sugarcane and reduces yield.
To combat this problem, scientists have introduced Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) genes into sugarcane. These genes enable the plant to produce proteins that are toxic to Eldana larvae but safe for humans and other animals.
Field trials of genetically modified sugarcane with Bt genes showed promising results. The infestation of Eldana saccharina was reduced by 40%, significantly improving the health of the crop.
This development means that farmers can reduce their reliance on chemical pesticides, leading to lower costs and a more sustainable approach to pest management.
One concern with genetically modified crops is the potential gene flow to wild relatives. If modified genes spread to non-GM plants, it could create environmental risks.
However, in this study, researchers found that GM sugarcane does not naturally crossbreed with wild relatives due to differences in flowering times. This finding is crucial in ensuring that GM sugarcane remains controlled and does not spread unintentionally.
Economic and Social Acceptance of GM Sugarcane
With all these genetic improvements, the question remains: Are farmers and consumers willing to adopt GM sugarcane? To answer this, researchers conducted economic and consumer studies in South Africa.The findings indicate that GM sugarcane could have a significant economic impact by lowering production costs.
For farmers, adopting GM sugarcane varieties could reduce overall production expenses by 10% to 20%, mainly due to reduced pesticide use and lower labor costs for weed control.
The genetically modified insect-resistant and herbicide-tolerant sugarcane varieties could also increase cane yield by 5% and 2%, respectively. These improvements can lead to higher profits and more efficient farming practices.
From a consumer perspective, acceptance of GM sugarcane products is gradually increasing. A public survey showed that willingness to buy GM sugar rose from 59% to 77% if labeled as “healthier”.
Additionally, 73% of consumers supported GM sugar if it was cheaper, and 68% were in favor if it had a lower environmental impact. These findings suggest that with proper labeling and awareness, GM sugarcane could gain widespread acceptance.
Future Research and Innovations in Sugarcane Biotechnology
While current research has achieved significant breakthroughs, scientists are still exploring ways to further improve sugarcane using biotechnology.
One promising area is CRISPR gene-editing technology, which allows scientists to make precise modifications to sugarcane DNA without introducing foreign genes.This technique could help develop more accepted non-GMO sugarcane varieties with improved traits.
Another critical focus is drought and climate resilience. With changing weather patterns, researchers are working on developing sugarcane varieties that can withstand harsh conditions.
Initial studies show that genetically modified sugarcane can tolerate 20% more water stress compared to conventional varieties, which is a crucial step towards climate-smart agriculture.
Furthermore, sugarcane is an essential resource for biofuel production. Scientists are working on genetic modifications to enhance the plant’s ability to produce ethanol, which can be used as a renewable energy source.
One study found that modified sugarcane plants increased bioethanol output by 12%, making them a more efficient source of alternative fuel.
Conclusion
The advancements in sugarcane biotechnology have opened new possibilities for improving crop yield, pest resistance, and environmental sustainability.
By modifying specific genes, scientists have successfully increased sucrose accumulation, enhanced resistance to pests, and developed herbicide-tolerant varieties.
These improvements offer significant benefits to farmers, helping them reduce costs, increase productivity, and adopt more sustainable agricultural practices.Although challenges remain, particularly in public acceptance and regulatory approvals, the future of genetically modified sugarcane looks promising.
With continued research in gene editing, drought resistance, and biofuel production, sugarcane biotechnology could play a vital role in shaping the future of global agriculture.If adopted widely, these innovations could lead to higher yields, reduced chemical use, and a more eco-friendly approach to farming.
Reference: Snyman, S.J., Koch, A.C., Jacob, R.M. et al. Sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids) biotechnology research in South Africa. In Vitro Cell.Dev.Biol.-Plant (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11627-025-10517-5
