programs aimed at developing biofactories using GM strategies. Due to the
potential for new alternative uses of sugarcane other than food, such as supplying
high-value niche markets with a variety of novel products, the need for further
analyses into product diversification as a way of increasing industry returns has
also been emphasized (Grice et al. 2003).
Thus, despite the convoluted genetic system present in sugarcane, which largely
limits the use of traditional genetic markers in breeding programs, it is becoming
clear that molecular genetics and genomics will play important roles in sugarcane
breeding programs, as transformation techniques become more efficient and more
molecular tools (characterization of genes of interest, transformation vectors,
specific promoters) become available.
Of economical relevance, Hansen et al. (2011) describe a series of recent
patents on methods and techniques involving genes coding for proteins and
breeding techniques with agronomic applicability on economically important
crops, including sugarcane.
The sequencing of the complete sugarcane genome led by an international
research group from Australia, Brazil, China, France, South Africa, and the USA is
underway, and will greatly contribute to deciphering vital genetic information
controlling crucial desirable traits related to genomic organization, promoters,
gene regulators, and gene networks controlling metabolic pathways (Hotta et al.
2010; Scortecci et al. 2012; Dal-Bianco et al. 2012).
Moreover, sugarcane plantations are often criticized as they occupy large field
areas of fertile arable land that otherwise could be used for food production, for
impacting the environment with deforestation and land degradation, monocultures,
as well as pollution (run-off of fertilizers, pesticides and molasses; pre-harvest
burning and air pollution) (Scortecci et al. 2012; Uriarte et al. 2009). As environmental and social responsibility issues are being addressed in agriculture more
often, it is also criticized that sugarcane production systems rely heavily on lowpaid seasonal jobs and labor abuses worldwide (child labor, slavery regimen,
hazardous conditions, underpayment) (Martinelli and Filoso 2008; Miranda 2010;
Scortecci et al. 2012). Therefore, a need for developing a sustainable sugarcane
industry with social responsibility is demanded by society worldwide.
Till date, substantial efforts have been directed toward sugarcane as a biofabric
for high-value products. While these achievements are commendable, a greater
understanding of the sugarcane genome, cell, and whole plant biology will
accelerate the implementation of commercially significant biotechnology outcomes (Lakshmanan et al. 2005; Ming et al. 2006). The rapid progress in
molecular biology and emerging biotechnology innovations will play significant
roles in future sugarcane crop improvement programs and will offer many new
opportunities to develop it as a new generation industrial crop and a sustainable
biofactory.
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F. C. Gómez-Merino et al.
potential for new alternative uses of sugarcane other than food, such as supplying
high-value niche markets with a variety of novel products, the need for further
analyses into product diversification as a way of increasing industry returns has
also been emphasized (Grice et al. 2003).
Thus, despite the convoluted genetic system present in sugarcane, which largely
limits the use of traditional genetic markers in breeding programs, it is becoming
clear that molecular genetics and genomics will play important roles in sugarcane
breeding programs, as transformation techniques become more efficient and more
molecular tools (characterization of genes of interest, transformation vectors,
specific promoters) become available.
Of economical relevance, Hansen et al. (2011) describe a series of recent
patents on methods and techniques involving genes coding for proteins and
breeding techniques with agronomic applicability on economically important
crops, including sugarcane.
The sequencing of the complete sugarcane genome led by an international
research group from Australia, Brazil, China, France, South Africa, and the USA is
underway, and will greatly contribute to deciphering vital genetic information
controlling crucial desirable traits related to genomic organization, promoters,
gene regulators, and gene networks controlling metabolic pathways (Hotta et al.
2010; Scortecci et al. 2012; Dal-Bianco et al. 2012).
Moreover, sugarcane plantations are often criticized as they occupy large field
areas of fertile arable land that otherwise could be used for food production, for
impacting the environment with deforestation and land degradation, monocultures,
as well as pollution (run-off of fertilizers, pesticides and molasses; pre-harvest
burning and air pollution) (Scortecci et al. 2012; Uriarte et al. 2009). As environmental and social responsibility issues are being addressed in agriculture more
often, it is also criticized that sugarcane production systems rely heavily on lowpaid seasonal jobs and labor abuses worldwide (child labor, slavery regimen,
hazardous conditions, underpayment) (Martinelli and Filoso 2008; Miranda 2010;
Scortecci et al. 2012). Therefore, a need for developing a sustainable sugarcane
industry with social responsibility is demanded by society worldwide.
Till date, substantial efforts have been directed toward sugarcane as a biofabric
for high-value products. While these achievements are commendable, a greater
understanding of the sugarcane genome, cell, and whole plant biology will
accelerate the implementation of commercially significant biotechnology outcomes (Lakshmanan et al. 2005; Ming et al. 2006). The rapid progress in
molecular biology and emerging biotechnology innovations will play significant
roles in future sugarcane crop improvement programs and will offer many new
opportunities to develop it as a new generation industrial crop and a sustainable
biofactory.
142
F. C. Gómez-Merino et al.