Genetics, phylogenetics, and comparative genetics of Saccharum L., a polysomic polyploid Poales: Andropogoneae

Abstract

Expanding our understanding of the genome and biology of sugarcane, a highly heterozygous and genetically cumbersome species, will have a great impact on one of the world's most important agricultural and energy crops. Recently, sugarcane has been successfully characterized by DNA-based genetic markers which enabled the construction of high-resolution linkage maps, assessment of genetic variability, and QTL mapping. In this chapter I will discuss some of the major achievements we and others have made over the last few years in trying to answer some of the puzzling questions relating to sugarcane complex genetics and evolution. © 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.