Sugarcane breeding and selection for more efficient biomass conversion in cellulosic ethanol

Abstract

Breeding is the more appropriate way to improve productivity in sugarcane. Since the implantation of the Proálcool Program in Brazil, the sugarcane productivity in the last 30 years has increased in proportion of 761 kg/ha/year (1.5%). This productivity increment rate is similar to the values related in Brazil and world for other important economical crops. The constant ongoing rise of new cultivars has been considered the major factor contributing to this growth, although agronomic -technologies have also been important contributions. Historical international examples of the success of this strategy have been the control of important diseases such as smut (Ustilago scitaminea), common rust (Puccinia melanocephala), Fiji disease (virus) sugarcane mosaic virus, leaf scald (Xanthomonas albilineans), red rot (Glomerella -ucumanensis), as well as sugar content and, very importantly for Brazil, precocious sugar -accumulation, that have expanded the harvesting period from 3 to 9 months in Brazil. Recently, a new disease named as orange rust (Puccinia kuehnii) became an important actual research target. Several important cultivars actually in the market are not resistant to this desease, but some of the RIDESA cultivars, such RB857515, the more cultivated, are resistant to the actual races of this pathogen. Breeding for disease resistance in Brazil has been successful for the majority of diseases, in order that it is not common to use fungicides in sugarcane crops[A2] Not sure what you are trying to say in this sentence. This recent disease resistance traits means that the germplasm used in our breeding research has enough genetic variability to obtain genetic improvements, as well as fiber content and composition, which will be discussed later in this chapter. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.