Published on October 2021 | Plant Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

A Brief Overview for the Development of Herbicide-Resistant Sugarcane Transformation Approaches

Weeds are undesirable plants grown in a situation that can significantly decrease the yield of desirable plants such as sugarcane. Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) is the 2nd vital cash crop of Pakistan, placed at 6th position in world cane acreage and 15th in sugar production. Sugarcane occupies a significant share in the national economy and development of a country. Several factors contribute to the lower production of sugarcane in Pakistan, but the quality and quantity of sugarcane production are mostly damaged by weeds. The development of herbicide-resistant sugarcane that is highly resistant to several herbicides is produced by genetic transformation, site-directed mutagenesis, and plant breeding. Broadspectrum herbicide-resistant plants are developed to resolve this issue by the insertion of CP4 EPSPS (Glyphosate tolerant gene; 5-enolpyruvulshikimate-3-phosphate synthase from Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain CP4) into sugarcane which provides them with the ability to survive after the spray of glyphosate. The most common herbicide-resistant technology is glyphosate-resistant technology which gives broad-spectrum weed control feasibility along with flexibility in the application time of herbicide. Numerous methods of genetic transformation are available for the insertion of foreign DNA into plant cells like Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, micro-projectile bombardment (gene gun), and protoplast transformation. Glyphosate tolerant gene expression is shown by three sugarcane cultivars (CPF-213, SPF-234, and HSF-240). Transgenic sugarcane plants expressed glyphosate-resistant genes are highly stable against herbicide to control weeds. Several farmers in many countries have rapidly and extensively utilized herbicide-tolerant crops due to low production and labor costs, huge profit, increased weed control, and many environmental benefits.