Sugarcane Cultivars Research Articles

Rapid Classification of Sugarcane Nodes and Internodes Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Machine Learning Techniques

Accurate and rapid discrimination between nodes and internodes in sugarcane is vital for automating planting processes, particularly for minimizing bud damage and optimizing planting material quality. This study investigates the potential of visible-shortwave near-infrared (Vis–SWNIR) spectroscopy (400–1000 nm) combined with machine learning for this classification task. Spectral data were acquired from the sugarcane cultivar Khon Kaen 3 at multiple orientations, and various preprocessing techniques were employed to enhance spectral features. Three machine learning algorithms, linear discriminant analysis (LDA), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNNs), and artificial neural networks (ANNs), were evaluated for their classification performance. The results demonstrated high accuracy across all models, with ANN coupled with derivative preprocessing achieving an F1-score of 0.93 on both calibration and validation datasets, and 0.92 on an independent test set. This study underscores the feasibility of Vis–SWNIR spectroscopy and machine learning for rapid and precise node/internode classification, paving the way for automation in sugarcane billet preparation and other precision agriculture applications.

Systematic identification and expression profiling of calmodulin-binding transcription activator genes reveal insights into their functional diversity against pathogens in sugarcane

The calmodulin-binding transcription activator (CAMTA) proteins in plants play significant roles in signal-transduction, activation of regulatory networks, and defense response against environmental stressors. In this study we systematically identified a total 17 CAMTA genes (named as SsnpCAMTAs) in Saccharum spontaneum Np-X genome. Moreover, SsnpCAMTAs exhibited diverse physio-chemical and gene structural attributes. Notably, eight SsnpCAMTA gene pairs displayed segmental duplication events, while CAMTA genes from S. spontaneum Np-X and Arabidopsis thaliana shared homology relationship. In-vitro interaction networking showed that SsnpCAMTA1 and SsnpCAMTA2 were the core protein which interacted with each other as well as with other four different proteins (SsnpCAMTA5/7/13/17). To check functional variability, the expression profiles of SsnpCAMTAs were quantified in transcriptomic and proteomic datasets triggered by Xanthomonas albilineans (Xa) and Acidovorax avenae subsp. avenae (Aaa). The temporal expression of SsnpCAMTA4/5 was ranged between 1.7–3.5 folds in sugarcane cultivars triggered by Xa infection. Most of the SsnpCAMTAs exhibited irregular expression profile in sugarcane cultivars triggered by Aaa infection. Additionally, transcript expression profiles of eight candidate genes SsnpCAMTA1/2/5/7/8/12/13/17 were determined by RT-qPCR assay in sugarcane cultivars Zhongtang3 (resistant to smut) and ROC22 (susceptible to smut) under Sporisorium scitamineum pathogen infection. Interestingly, the transcript expression of SsnpCAMTA5 was upregulated from 1.4 to 10.8 folds as compared to control in both cultivars, while SsnpCAMTA8 was downregulated in both cultivars. Overall, our results provide valuable candidate gene resources for the development of disease-resistant sugarcane cultivars in the face of current climate change scenarios.

Sugarcane Yellow Leaf Virus – A Silent Threat?

Abstract Sugarcane yellow leaf virus (SCYLV) is the causal agent of yellow leaf disease, a significant threat to global sugarcane production. SCYLV is disseminated via infected planting material and transmitted by aphids, primarily by Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner). The disease’s impact varies depending on the sugarcane cultivar, with some varieties showing little to no foliar symptoms, yet experiencing severe yield losses. Reliable diagnostic methods, including serological and molecular techniques, are crucial for accurate detection, though these methods vary in sensitivity. Advances in molecular techniques have revealed ten major SCYLV genotypes grouped into three phylogroups, further complicating detection efforts. Improved understanding of SCYLV’s distribution within the plant and its seasonal variability are yet to be understood. Management strategies focus on breeding SCYLV-resistant varieties, but this is challenging due to the virus’s variable impact on yield and the often asymptomatic nature of epidemics. Efforts to develop SCYLV-free propagative material have been implemented, but the virus can still spread via aphid vectors from neighbouring fields. Ongoing research aims to identify resistant cultivars, optimize diagnostic techniques, and better understand the epidemiology of SCYLV to mitigate its impact on sugarcane yield and quality. Information © The Authors 2024

Use of sunn hemp on the efficiency of nitrogen fertilization in sugarcane cultivars

Brazil is a reference in sugarcane production and management; today the state of Goiás is the second largest national producer of the crop. Thus, for the increment in productivity to be greater in one crop compared to another, it is necessary to adopt cultivation practices and practices of financial interest. This work aimed to demonstrate the effect of Nitrogen (N) cycling by sunn hemp in the cultivation of three varieties with different maturity cycles (IAC91-1099 early, RB985476 medium, and RB975242 late) grown in two managements of fertilizations with and without nitrogen in cover, in which the differences of K in the formulations were supplied, in the municipality of Edéia, Goiás. The trial was set up in an entirely randomized delineation in a 3x2 factorial scheme, with 3 varieties and 2 fertilization managements. It was concluded that an efficient planting of sunn hemp can be effective in supplying the N needs of the crop, contributing to the generation of more robust technical and agronomic processes for the sugarcane crop.

Influence of stem and leaf phenotypes, physiological responses and cellular ultrastructure on defoliated sugarcane cultivars

Defoliation is a primary agronomic traits, its variation depends on different plant species or cultivars. The present article assess the leaf morphological responses, oxidative metabolites and enzymatic activities at sheath base of sugarcane cultivars during defoliation stage of plant leaves. The mature leaf sheath of GT47 strongly wrapped to the stem, and no stem was exposed. The upper and lower edges of the immature fusing abscission zone were parallel, and slightly lower browning area (+ 3 to + 7 leaf position). The ROC22 cultivar was monitored highest leaf sheath-based cellulose and lignin content, followed by GT60 and GT47. Peroxidase activity was higher in leaf sheath base edge (ROC22) as compare to other cultivars. The malondialdehyde content was found highest in GT60, followed by ROC22, and GT47. The exo-β-1,4-glucanase/ cellobiohydrolase activity was found highest in the margin of GT47 than lateral and medial axis of ROC22 and GT60. The axis activity increased exponentially, and ROC22 gradually decreased from the periphery of the mid-axis and lower than GT47 and GT60 in the lateral and mid-axis of leaf. In conclusion, the mature leaves are easy to defoliate mainly loose leaf sheaths, large leaf sheath inclination angles, more deformation during the growth period of the abscission zone, early with large cracks, and slow browning process. Leaf sheaths with high fibre and lignin content showed significant hardness and thickness. The sugarcane cultivars showed positive correlation between peroxidase and malondialdehyde content with the browning process at the base of mature leaf sheaths.

Discrimination potential of sugarcane cultivars (Saccharum spp) through hyperspectral sensors in different production environments

Discrimination potential of sugarcane cultivars (Saccharum spp) through hyperspectral sensors in different production environments

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF SUGARCANE CLONES AT PRELIMINARY YIELD TRIAL

In the current study, fifteen (15) sugarcane clones developed from Sri Lanka and Barbados fuzz were evaluated for quantitative and qualitative traits in local set of climatic conditions. After testing and advancement from early stages of sugarcane cultivar development program, these clones were planted in 4th stage i.e. preliminary yield trial to evaluate the performance of clones in comparison to two local check varieties viz. CPF 253 and HSF 240. The testing sugarcane clones along with check varieties were planted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) deploying three replications during the crop season 2022-23. Biometric parameters like germination (%), plant population, plant height, 10-cane weight, cane weight and cane yield alongwith sugar recovery were studied. The biometric traits were compared using two-sided Dunnett's multiple to check the level of significance. The results showed high level of significance for all the biometric traits. The clone BDF-20-174 showed superior performance for plant population, cane yield and sugar recovery as compared to local check varieties. Similarly some other clones surpass the check varieties in some traits but their overall performance remained at par or lower than check varieties. However, further testing and experimentation will be applied to pick more adapted and suitable clones for local agro-ecological conditions

Adventitious shoot organogenesis from immature leaves of sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid) cultivar Yuetang 03-373 improving shoot proliferation and industrial scale-up of plants

Adventitious shoot organogenesis from immature leaves of sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid) cultivar Yuetang 03-373 improving shoot proliferation and industrial scale-up of plants

In Planta Androgenesis (Paternal Origin) in Saacharum X Erianthus Intergeneric Hybrid

The present investigation was carried in crosses made between Saccharum species hybrid clones i.e. Co 419, Co 7201 and Co 7224 (2n = 108-112) and Erianthus arundinaceus viz. IK 76-91 (2n = 60) and IK 76-99 (2n = 60) for introducing better ratoon ability, vigour, wide ecological adaptability, extensive root system, drought and water logging resistance, high biomass and disease resistance into modern sugarcane cultivars during 2020-23 at VSI-Sugarcane Breeding Centre, Amboli. Parental apomixis (paternal origin) has been recently noticed and it is unique in Saccharum X Erianthus intergeneric cross seedlings. A total of fifty-one seedlings were obtained from above three intergeneric crosses and out of these eighteen seedlings were reported as androgenetic seedlings as the female act as a surrogate mother. At the early stages, seed germination of seedlings was found two types i.e., one type resembling Saccharum and other resembling Erianthus with deep purple coloration. Morphologically androgenetic seedlings were similar to the male parents IK 76-91 and IK 76-99 with tall large tufted grass like clumps, vegetative stem with thick reproductive buds, root zone narrow and only one row of root eyes, the lamina gradually passes into leaf sheath with no auricle and dewlaps. Cytological studies were made in these seedlings and during metaphase the somatic chromosome number was observed to be 2n = 60 rather than expected 2n = 84-90. This paternal origin may be due to the ability of Erianthus male gametes to produce an embryo within the seed tissues of Saccharum species hybrids but without genetic contribution of the seed. Thus, in planta androgenesis is achieved through the combination of embryogenic behavior of male gametes which has entered in the ovule and the ability of ovules to act as a surrogate mother. They could derive either from the fusion of two male gametes or from the early natural diplodization of the haploid embryo. Such homozygous true breeding seedlings of Saccharum X Erianthus with hybrid vigour are extremely important in crop improvement. This system provides an unparalleled opportunity to shorten the breeding cycle and fix agronomic traits in the homozygous state. These androgenetic plants with Saccharum cytoplasm and Erianthus genome are male sterile making them highly useful for further hybridization and sugarcane improvement programme.

Characterization of CBL-CIPK signaling networks and their response to abiotic stress in sugarcane

Calcineurin B-like proteins (CBLs) perceive calcium signals triggered by abiotic stress and interact with CBL-interacting protein kinases (CIPKs) to form a complex signal network. This study identified 21 SsCBL and 89 SsCIPK genes in Saccharum spontaneum, and 90 ScCBL and 367 ScCIPK genes in the sugarcane cultivar ZZ1. Phylogenetic analysis classified CBL genes into three groups and CIPK genes into twenty-five groups, with whole-genome duplication events promoting their expansion in sugarcane. RNA-seq analysis revealed their involvement in abiotic stress responses through ABA, JA, and SA pathways. Four ScCBLs and eight ScCIPKs were cloned from ZZ1. Three CBL-CIPK interactions were detected using a yeast two-hybrid system and Firefly luciferase complementation imaging, showing CBLs as membrane proteins and CIPKs as nuclear proteins. Spatial expression profiles indicate these genes are expressed in various tissues, with the highest expression in roots. Gene expression analyses suggested that CBL-CIPK signaling networks are involved in responses to drought, salt, and reactive oxygen species, possibly through Ca2+-induced hormone pathways. These findings establish three CBL-CIPK signaling networks responding to abiotic stress, providing a molecular basis for improving sugarcane stress resistance.

Identification and Evaluation of Sugarcane Cultivars for Antixenosis Resistance to the Leafhopper Yamatotettix flavovittatus Matsumura (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae).

Understanding the settling preference, feeding behavior, honeydew production, and biophysical factors, such as trichome density, related to Y. flavovittatus leafhopper infestation in sugarcane cultivation is crucial for effective pest management strategies. This study investigated these aspects across nine sugarcane cultivars. Significant variability was observed among cultivars in terms of settling behavior, with KK3 and LK92-11 showing the highest number of settled leafhopper adults. Similarly, honeydew production varied significantly among cultivars, with KK3 and LK92-11 exhibiting the highest production. Employing the electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique provided insights into distinct probing behaviors across cultivars, highlighting correlations between settling preference, honeydew production, and specific EPG waveforms. Principal component analysis (PCA) categorized cultivars into four groups based on settling preference, honeydew production, feeding behavior, and biophysical factors. Strong correlations were found between settling preference, honeydew production, and various EPG waveforms, while negative correlations were observed with the number of silica cells and rows per unit area, indicating their potential role in deterring leafhopper settlement. We concluded that TPJ04-768 and K84-200 are promising for resistance against leafhoppers and, thereby, can be exploited in sugarcane breeding programs with regard to resistance against insects.

Overexpression of EaALDH7, an aldehyde dehydrogenase gene from Erianthus arundinaceus enhances salinity tolerance in transgenic sugarcane (Saccharum spp. Hybrid)

Aldehyde Dehydrogenases (ALDH), a group of enzymes, are associated with the detoxification of aldehydes, produced in plants during abiotic stress conditions. Salinity remains a pivotal abiotic challenge that poses a significant threat to cultivation and yield of sugarcane. In this study, an Aldehyde dehydrogenase gene (EaALDH7) from Erianthus arundinaceus was overexpressed in the commercial sugarcane hybrid cultivar Co 86032. The transgenic lines were evaluated at different NaCl concentrations ranging from 0 mM to 200 mM for various morpho-physiological and biochemical parameters. The control plants, subjected to salinity stress condition, exhibited morphological changes in protoxylem, metaxylem, pericycle and pith whereas the transgenic events were on par with plants under regular irrigation. The overexpressing (OE) lines showed less cell membrane injury and improved photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance than the untransformed control plants under stress conditions. Elevated proline content, higher activity of enzymatic antioxidants such as sodium dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and low level of malondialdehyde MDA and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the transgenic lines. The analysis of EaALDH7 expression revealed a significant upregulation in the transgenic lines compared to that of the untransformed control during salt stress conditions. The current study highlights the potentials of EaALDH7 gene in producing salinity-tolerant sugarcane cultivars.

Genome size and chromosome number variation in sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) families and phenotypically contrasting Saccharum genotypes

AbstractModern sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) cultivars originated from an intricate hybridization process, resulting in complex polyploid and aneuploid genomes. Flow cytometry (FCM), which has emerged as a precise and fast method for research on genome size in plants, has potential to unveil key aspects of sugarcane cytogenetics. In this study, FCM probes were conducted to estimate 2C DNA content in 175 Saccharum genotypes embracing phenotypically contrasting canes (commercial cultivars, energy‐cane hybrids, and a Saccharum spontaneum accession) and full‐sib sugarcane families. FCM‐mediated DNA content estimates exhibited high accuracy in predicting chromosome numbers, offering a time‐efficient alternative to classical cytogenetic procedure. Low‐magnitude correlations detected between DNA content and phenotypic traits suggest that indirect selection of agronomic traits using FCM‐mediated DNA content estimates may not be efficient. DNA content variation patterns in sugarcane families varied according to the crossing, and revealed transgressive variations associated with rampant aneuploidy. Altogether, the findings uncover that loss or gain of genetic material constitutes a source of high genetic variability that may substantially impact on crop breeding.

Profiling of rhizosphere bacterial community associated with sugarcane and banana rotation system

BackgroundGuangxi is the leading sugarcane-producing area in China. Due to the Panama disease outbreak in banana gardens, sugarcane and banana rotation was recommended. A field experiment with the newly released sugarcane cultivar Zhongzhe 1 (ZZ1) was conducted to understand the role of the sugarcane–banana rotation system in shaping the rhizosphere microbiota. Fields in the region possess characteristics of red laterite soil.ResultsUsing Illumina HiSeq sequencing to analyze soil samples’ 16S rRNA V3-V4 region, the preceding banana rotation field had relatively greater bacterial diversity than the monoculture sugarcane field. Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Actinobacteria, and Acidobacteria were the dominant phyla, with distinct taxa enriched in each environment. However, the preceding sugarcane monoculture field enriched functional groups related to nitrogen fixation and cellulolysis. Network analysis highlighted contrasting network structures between sugarcane and banana rhizospheres, suggesting differential stability and susceptibility to environmental influences. Furthermore, correlations between soil properties and bacterial alpha-diversity underscored the influence of preceding crops on rhizosphere microbial communities.ConclusionThis research enhances our understanding of crop rotation effects on soil microbial ecology and provides insights into optimizing agricultural practices for enhanced soil health and crop productivity. Future studies should explore the underlying mechanisms driving these interactions and evaluate the long-term impacts of crop rotation on soil microbial dynamics.Graphical abstract

Small RNA and Degradome Deep Sequencing Reveal Regulatory Roles of MicroRNAs in Response to Sugarcane Mosaic Virus Infection on Two Contrasting Sugarcane Cultivars.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an essential regulatory role in plant-virus interaction. However, few studies have focused on the roles of miRNAs and their targets after sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) infection in sugarcane. To address this issue, we conducted small RNA (sRNA) and degradome sequencing on two contrasting sugarcanes (SCMV-resistant 'Fuoguo1' [FG1] and susceptible 'Badila') infected by SCMV at five time points. A total of 1,578 miRNAs were profiled from 30 sRNA libraries, comprising 660 known miRNAs and 380 novel miRNAs. Differential expression analysis of miRNAs revealed that most were highly expressed during the SCMV exponential phase in Badila at 18 h postinfection, with expression profiles positively correlated with virus replication dynamics as observed through clustering. Analysis of degradome data indicated a higher number of differential miRNA targets in Badila compared to FG1 at 18 h postinfection. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis significantly enriched the stimulus-response pathway, suggesting negative regulatory roles to SCMV resistance. Specifically, miR160 upregulated expression patterns and validated in Badila through quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) in the early stages of SCMV multiplication. Our research provides new insights into the dynamic response of plant miRNA and virus replication and contributes valuable information on the intricate interplay between miRNAs and SCMV infection dynamics. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

Identification of candidate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and genes associated with sugarcane leaf scald disease

Leaf scald, caused by Xanthomonas albilineans, is a severe disease affecting sugarcane worldwide. One of the most practical ways to control it is by developing resistant sugarcane cultivars. It is essential to identify genes associated with the response to leaf scald. A panel of 170 sugarcane genotypes was evaluated for resistance to leaf scald in field conditions for 2 years, followed by a 1-year greenhouse experiment. The phenotypic evaluation data showed a wide continuous distribution, with heritability values ranging from 0.58 to 0.84. Thirteen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified, significantly associated with leaf scald resistance. Among these, eight were stable across multiple environments and association models. The candidate genes identified and validated based on RNA-seq and qRT-PCR included two genes that encode NB-ARC leucine-rich repeat (LRR)-containing domain disease-resistance protein. These findings provide a basis for developing marker-assisted selection strategies in sugarcane breeding programs.

Screening of sugarcane germplasm against Sporisorium scitamineum and its effects on setts germination and tillering

Sugarcane smut is the most damaging disease that is present almost across the globe, causing mild to severe yield losses depending upon the cultivar types, pathogen races and climatic conditions. Cultivation of smut-resistant cultivars is the most feasible and economical option to mitigate its damages. Previous investigations revealed that there is a scarcity of information on early detection and effective strategies to suppress etiological agents of smut disease due to the characteristics overlapping within species complexes. In this study, 104 sugarcane cultivars were screened by artificial inoculation with homogenate of all possible pathogen races of Sporisorium scitamineum during two consecutive growing seasons. The logistic smut growth pattern and the disease intrinsic rate were recorded by disease growth curve. Variable levels of disease incidence i.e., ranging from 0 to 54.10% were observed among these sugarcane cultivars. Besides, pathogen DNA in plant shoots of all the cultivars was successfully amplified by PCR method using smut-specific primers except 26 cultivars which showed an immune reaction in the field trial. Furthermore, the plant germination and tillering of susceptible sugarcane cultivars were greatly influenced by pathogen inoculation. In susceptible cultivars, S. scitamineum caused a significant reduction in setts germination, coupled with profuse tillering, resulting in fewer millable canes. Correlation analysis demonstrated that there was a positive relationship between reduction in setts germination and increase in the number of tillers. The present study would be helpful for the evaluation of smut resistance in a wide range of sugarcane germplasm, especially from the aspects of setts germination and tillers formation, and it also screened out several excellent germplasm for potential application in sugarcane breeding.

Genetic Engineering for Enhancing Sugarcane Tolerance to Biotic and Abiotic Stresses.

Sugarcane, a vital cash crop, contributes significantly to the world's sugar supply and raw materials for biofuel production, playing a significant role in the global sugar industry. However, sustainable productivity is severely hampered by biotic and abiotic stressors. Genetic engineering has been used to transfer useful genes into sugarcane plants to improve desirable traits and has emerged as a basic and applied research method to maintain growth and productivity under different adverse environmental conditions. However, the use of transgenic approaches remains contentious and requires rigorous experimental methods to address biosafety challenges. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) mediated genome editing technology is growing rapidly and may revolutionize sugarcane production. This review aims to explore innovative genetic engineering techniques and their successful application in developing sugarcane cultivars with enhanced resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses to produce superior sugarcane cultivars.

Selection of Saccharum spp. × Saccharum spontaneum progeny for sugar and biomass traits

ABSTRACT This study evaluated an interspecific hybrid (Saccharum spp. × S. spontaneum) population with the aim of developing germplasm for use in both sugar and bioenergy (biomass) production. Specific objectives were to determine the genetic variability and heritability among the interspecific hybrid progenies for traits of economic importance and to use the Best Linear Unbiased Predictions (BLUPs) to determine their genotypic values. The 46 interspecific hybrids used in this study originated from crossing commercial sugarcane cultivars (UT5, F152, and KK07–559) as female and S. spontaneum clones (THS98–41, THS98–91, THS98–95, THS98–94, and THS97–51) as male parents. There were significant residual variances, attributed to the small plot size, but the juice quality traits were measured with relatively higher precision than other traits. Selection recommendations varied for different traits, suggesting selection pressure could be moderate to high for juice quality traits and moderate for yield-related traits. No hybrid genotypes were found to outperform cultivar parents for traits such as commercial cane sugar and low fiber, necessitating further germplasm enhancement for improvement of varieties destined for sugar production. On the contrary, transgressive segregation was observed for cane yield and other traits influencing biomass yield. The production potential of these hybrids could be tested in larger plots across multiple locations.

Pathogenesis-Related 1 (PR1) Protein Family Genes Involved in Sugarcane Responses to Ustilago scitaminea Stress.

Plant resistance against biotic stressors is significantly influenced by pathogenesis-related 1 (PR1) proteins. This study examines the systematic identification and characterization of PR1 family genes in sugarcane (Saccharum spontaneum Np-X) and the transcript expression of selected genes in two sugarcane cultivars (ROC22 and Zhongtang3) in response to Ustilago scitaminea pathogen infection. A total of 18 SsnpPR1 genes were identified at the whole-genome level and further categorized into four groups. Notably, tandem and segmental duplication occurrences were detected in one and five SsnpPR1 gene pairs, respectively. The SsnpPR1 genes exhibited diverse physio-chemical attributes and variations in introns/exons and conserved motifs. Notably, four SsnpPR1 (SsnpPR1.02/05/09/19) proteins displayed a strong protein-protein interaction network. The transcript expression of three SsnpPR1 (SsnpPR1.04/06/09) genes was upregulated by 1.2-2.6 folds in the resistant cultivar (Zhongtang3) but downregulated in the susceptible cultivar (ROC22) across different time points as compared to the control in response to pathogen infection. Additionally, SsnpPR1.11 was specifically upregulated by 1.2-3.5 folds at 24-72 h post inoculation (hpi) in ROC22, suggesting that this gene may play an important negative regulatory role in defense responses to pathogen infection. The genetic improvement of sugarcane can be facilitated by our results, which also establish the basis for additional functional characterization of SsnpPR1 genes in response to pathogenic stress.