Sugarcane Genetic Improvement in Argentina PDF

# Mejoramiento Genético de caña de azúcar ## Objetivo general: Desarrollar nuevas variedades con rendimientos crecientes de azúcar, bio-etanol y biomasa por hectárea. ## Objetivos específicos: 1. Incremento del rendimiento cultural 2. Incremento del contenido de sacarosa por tonelada de caña, con...

# Mejoramiento Genético de caña de azúcar ## Objetivo general: Desarrollar nuevas variedades con rendimientos crecientes de azúcar, bio-etanol y biomasa por hectárea. ## Objetivos específicos: 1. Incremento del rendimiento cultural 2. Incremento del contenido de sacarosa por tonelada de caña, con mejor calidad de jugo y contenido de fibra aceptable 3. Tolerancia o resistencia a las principales enfermedades y plagas de incidencia regional 4. Selección de otras características agronómicas: buena longevidad de cepa, "cierre" temprano 5. Adaptabilidad a la mecanización: 1. cosecha mecánica en verde 2. resistencia al corte mecánico 3. plantación mecanizada ## Híbridos complejos del género Saccharum The image shows an aerial view of a field of sugarcane with different sections marked. Each section is labeled with a different species of sugarcane plant, demonstrating the relationship between them through hybridization. * **S. spontaneum**: "Cañas salvajes" (Wild sugarcane) * **S. robustum**: This contributes more genetic traits (2) * **S. officinarum**: "Cañas nobles" (Noble sugarcane) The image also shows how these sugarcane species are hybridized to create new cultivars. * **R1**: The first generation of hybrids, "Hijos 'salvajes'" (Wild offspring), contains more wild traits. * **R2**: Subsequent generations, "Hijos 'menos salvajes'" (Less wild offspring), have less wild traits through backcrossing. This process is called "retrocruzas". These processes, through hybridization and backcrossing, result in new cultivars that have the desired traits of high yield, disease resistance, and adaptability to mechanization. The process is described as "novilización". ## Genetic diversity in Saccharum spp. The final image shows the genetic makeup of modern sugarcane cultivars, highlighting the high percentage of the noble sugarcane species (S. officinarum) which is about 90%. The diagram depicts the complex hybridization process leading to the modern varieties of Saccharum, emphasizing the contribution of the wild species for traits like disease resistance and adaptation to drought. ## PMGCA in Argentina There are three PMGCA (Program of Genetic Improvement of Sugar Cane) in Argentina: 1. **EEAOC**: Experimental Station Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres (TUC 95-10, TUC CP 77-42) 2. **INTA**: National Institute of Agrotechnology (INTA CP 98-828, INTA NA 91-209) 3. **Santa Rosa**: Experimental Agricultural Farm (NA 05-860) ## Process of obtaining new varieties - The process begins with the selection and breeding of parent plants. - This is followed by inducing flowering and cross-breeding. - The progenies are then bred over a two year period, leading to "progenies". - These progenies are then tested in the field for a period of 10 years, where they are evaluated for various characteristics. - This rigorous selection process helps to identify the very best new varieties with the desired characteristics. ## Conclusion The document describes the complex process of genetic improvement of sugarcane in Argentina. This process relies on hybridization programs, genetic diversity, and strict selection methodologies to develop new varieties that can deliver increased yield, disease resistance, and adaptation to mechanization.