Identification and morphological characterization of drought-tolerant mutant sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) clones using DArTseq genotyping
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Developing resilient sugarcane varieties is critical for global food and energy security, especially given increasing drought stress. This study aimed to identify and evaluate drought-tolerant sugarcane varieties with high yield potential, addressing a significant global challenge from drought. To achieve this, 59 EMS-induced mutants and the wild-type Khon Kaen 3 were generated and assessed in a controlled field experiment, using DArTseq for molecular characterization and agro-morphological parameters for evaluation. Molecular characterization using DArTseq revealed genetic distinctness and considerable genetic diversity within the mutant population, with clustering methods effectively grouping individuals by SNP profiles and morphological characteristics. Genome-wide association (GWAS) analysis using 3,492 SNP markers did not identify statistically significant associations with agronomic traits after rigorous correction, underscoring the inherent difficulties of such analyses in complex polyploid genomes, particularly with limited population size. Nonetheless, correlation, path coefficient analysis, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) consistently demonstrated the strong influence of internode length and stalk length on sugarcane yield under drought stress. PCA further highlighted height, stem diameter, and Brix as additional important traits. Regarding yield performance, mutant clones KU-MTB11-9 (14.86 kg/clump) and KU-MTB-tr2-2 (11.79 kg/clump) displayed markedly higher stalk weight per clump compared to the Khon Kaen 3 control (6.52 kg/clump), with KU-MTB11-9 also achieving superior single stalk weight (1.73 kg) versus the control (0.95 kg), all while maintaining comparable sugar content. These findings collectively indicate that improving internode and stalk length can enhance yields under drought, positioning clones KU-MTB11-9 and KU-MTB-tr2-2 as promising genetic resources for breeding more resilient sugarcane varieties. • Two sugarcane mutant clones, KU-MTB11-9 and KU-MTB-tr2-2, were identified as highly promising, exhibiting significantly superior yield components under drought conditions while maintaining comparable sugar content to the wild-type. • Internode length and stalk length were determined to be key morphological traits strongly influencing sugarcane yield and drought tolerance. • DArTseq genotyping confirmed the successful induction of genetic diversity through mutation breeding, providing valuable germplasm for future sugarcane improvement programs. • The study highlighted challenges in Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) for sugarcane, as robust SNP-trait associations were not statistically significant, underscoring the complexities of its polyploid genome and the need for higher resolution markers or larger populations. • The research validated a comprehensive approach combining DArTseq with agro-morphological evaluation for effective screening and characterization of drought-tolerant sugarcane mutants.
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,530
OpenAlex ID: W7118504246