Wanru Wang^1,2 , Xiping Yang^1,2

1 State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530005, Guangxi, China
2 College of Agricultural, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530005, Guangxi, China
Author    Correspondence author
Plant Gene and Trait, 2024, Vol. 15, No. 5   
Received: 17 Aug., 2024    Accepted: 18 Sep., 2024    Published: 01 Oct., 2024

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

This study provides a comprehensive overview of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) applications in sugarcane, highlighting the key findings related to yield and agronomic traits. Major GWAS studies conducted in sugarcane have identified numerous genetic markers associated with important traits. Significant loci linked to high sucrose content, overall yield, disease resistance, and abiotic stress tolerance have been discovered, offering valuable insights for breeding programs. The integration of these findings into marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genomic selection (GS) has enhanced breeding efficiency, leading to the development of superior sugarcane varieties. A detailed case study on the Brazilian Panel of Sugarcane Genotypes (BPSG) study exemplifies the practical application of GWAS in sugarcane research. The BPSG study identified key genetic regions associated with yield and disease resistance, demonstrating the potential of GWAS to accelerate genetic improvements. In the future, it is expected to improve the resolution and applicability of GWAS, address current challenges in translating findings to field applications, and unleash the full potential of GWAS in improving sugarcane yield and agronomic traits.

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.); Genome-wide association studies (GWAS); Genetic basis; Yield; Agronomic traits