Biotechnologies to Improve Sugarcane Productivity in a Climate Change Scenario

Author(s)

Grandis, Adriana ; Fortirer, Janaina S. ; Navarro, Bruno V. ; de Oliveira, Lauana P. ; Buckeridge, Marcos S.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: BioEnergy Research; v. N/A, p. 26-pg., 2023-08-30.

Abstract

Sugarcane plays a central role in sugar and ethanol production. Ethanol from sugarcane is considered sustainable since lignocellulosic residues can increase crop productivity without altering planted areas, providing a valuable portion of the compensation for carbon dioxide emissions caused by fossil fuels. In this way, developing biotechnologies applied to increase sugarcane productivity is essential, especially in coping with stressful environments, which may cause a loss of productivity. This review first scrutinizes the literature to analyze the international collaborations among researchers working with sugarcane biotechnology, driven by sugarcane-producing countries, to understand its biochemical and molecular physiology associated with local environmental features. We then examine the literature to highlight some scientific improvements related to genetics and genomics and the use of omics tools for understanding sugarcane physiology. These new technologies have helped improve sugarcane's physiological performance, addressing increased productivity without expanding the planting area, to important traits for resistance to stresses associated with global climate change. However, one of the most critical challenges remains the sequencing of the sugarcane genome, which still needs to be improved for precise genetic engineering strategies. We conclude that systems biology approaches integrating large amounts of data are essential. We need integration capable of affording specific modifications in the sugarcane genome (e.g., using CRISPR-Cas9 technology) to control plant behavior precisely. Coupled with modeling tools (e.g., Integration Assessment Modeling), this approach could provide the necessary precision control of designed plants to cope with a changing environment. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/50279-4 - Brasil Research Centre for Gas Innovation
• Grantee: Julio Romano Meneghini
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research Centers in Engineering Program
• FAPESP's process: 22/05524-7 - Polysaccharide associations in the cellulose macrofibrils of sugarcane cell walls
• Grantee: Adriana Grandis
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• FAPESP's process: 14/50884-5 - INCT 2014: National Institute of Science and Technology of Bioethanol
• Grantee: Marcos Silveira Buckeridge
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 22/00441-6 - Regulation of the aerenchyma formation and sugar accumulation mediated by the transcription factor ScRAV1 and sugar sensors
• Grantee: Bruno Viana Navarro
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 19/13936-0 - The role of xyloglucan in the cell wall architecture determination in sugarcane
• Grantee: Adriana Grandis
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 20/15230-5 - Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Innovation - RCG2I
• Grantee: Julio Romano Meneghini
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research Centers in Engineering Program