Sugarcane Breeding and Supporting Genetics Research in Mauritius

Abstract

Sugarcane was introduced in Mauritius in 1639 and gradually became the sole cash crop of the island for centuries. Although genetic improvement of sugarcane dates back to 1891, sugarcane breeding work on a substantial scale began in Mauritius in 1930 with the creation of the Sugarcane Research Station. In 1953, the Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute (MSIRI) was created and was responsible for all research pertaining to the Mauritian sugar industry, with sugarcane breeding being one of its most important research thrusts. Currently, the MSIRI has a germplasm collection of 2500 accessions. Its breeding programme constitutes a hybridization phase where annually some 250–500 different family combinations are made in controlled glasshouses and 50,000–100,000 seedlings are produced. The selection programme spans over 15 years and comprises six selection stages. Genetic studies back the programme in order to improve breeding and selection efficiencies to generate resilient varieties with higher productivity and least cost of production. The MSIRI has released 76 varieties to date, and the most recent ones, showing high productivity, low flowering behaviour and adapted to the various climatic conditions, are expected to contribute significantly to the sustainability of the industry. New challenges include the successful use of sugarcane as a dedicated bioenergy crop without neglecting its main focus to increase sugar yield and the application of new genetic and biotechnological tools in the breeding and selection of superior and multi-purpose cultivars for the industry.