Advancing Sugarcane Sustainability: Breeding and Innovations for Climate Resilience

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) stands as a crucial crop globally, serving as the main source of sucrose and a growing source of biomass for biofuels and sustainable products. The rising demand for bioethanol, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), bioplastics, and biochemicals accentuates the crop's role in reducing reliance on fossil fuels and enhancing environmental sustainability. Its significance extends beyond traditional sugar production into shaping a bioeconomy focused on sustainability. However, the challenges imposed by climate change demand the development of more resilient sugarcane cultivars. Issues like water scarcity, fertilizer efficiency, temperature fluctuations, and emerging pests and diseases threaten agricultural productivity and disrupt the biofuels supply chain. Consequently, selecting varieties that can thrive in new climates, paired with sustainable agricultural practices, is vital for reinforcing the industry’s contribution to environmental and economic sustainability.

The main objective of this Research Topic is to deepen into the advancements and challenges in sugarcane breeding, focusing on optimizing genetic resource use and expediting cultivar development through innovative approaches. The discussion encompasses all breeding stages, from germplasm characterization to the utilization of cutting-edge biotechnology and molecular genetics. While primarily centered on Saccharum, studies involving related genera like Erianthus, Miscanthus, and Narenga are also welcome, enhancing our understanding of sugarcane's genetic complexity and diversity.

In embracing a comprehensive approach to sugarcane's sustainable expansion and maintenance, we invite contributions that align with these thematic boundaries.

Articles addressing the following themes are especially welcome:
• Germplasm collections, exploring genetic diversity, population structure, and core collections
• Conventional breeding strategies
• Genetic transformation and gene editing
• Advanced sequencing technologies (multi-omics)
• QTL, molecular marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genomic selection
• High-throughput phenotyping
• Specific statistical models for complex data analysis
• Development of bioplastics and other coproducts
• Biological products for sustainable disease and/or pest management and productivity boosts
• Integrating smart agriculture with remote sensing and deep learning
• Regenerative agriculture practices for soil health improvement
• Climate change effect modeling for strategic adaptation

Through contributions covering these facets, including the development of new sugarcane varieties, sustainable management practices, and biorefineries, this Research Topic seeks to offer invaluable insights to scientists, breeders, and industry professionals dedicated to advancing the sustainability of the sugarcane industry.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Sugarcane, Saccharum spp., Sustainability, Climate Resilience, Plant Breeding, Agricultural Innovation, Bioeconomy, Sugarcane Breeding, Germplasm, Genetic Diversity, Conventional Breeding, Molecular Genetics, Genetic Transformation, Gene Editing, Genomic Selection, GS, Marker-Assisted Selection, MAS, Quantitative Trait Loci, QTL, Multi-omics, Advanced Sequencing, Cultivar Development, Climate Change Adaptation, Environmental Sustainability, Sustainable Agriculture, Regenerative Agriculture, Soil Health, Water Scarcity, Water Use Efficiency, Nutrient Use Efficiency, Pest Management, Disease Management, Biological Control, Biofuels, Bioethanol, Sustainable Aviation Fuel, SAF, Bioplastics, Biochemicals, Biomass, Biorefinery, Coproducts, Sucrose, High-throughput Phenotyping, Smart Agriculture, Precision Agriculture, Remote Sensing, Deep Learning, Climate Change Modeling, Statistical Analysis, Biotechnology, Erianthus, Miscanthus, Narenga

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.