Title : Detection and validation of EST-SSR markers associated with sugar yield in sugarcane
Abstract:
Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is a widely grown crop that meets approximately 87% of global demand for sugar. The impact of changing climatic conditions on sugarcane growth, productivity, and metabolism results in reduced sucrose accumulation in sugarcane. Owing to its polyploidy and complex genetic nature, it is difficult to identify and map genes related to complex traits such as sucrose content. An association mapping was employed to identify genes or markers for marker-assisted selection. EST-SSR primers were obtained from in silico studies and their functionality was assessed using Blast2Go software. Thirty EST-SSR primers linked to sugar content were chosen and validated through association analysis. A total of 70 F1 diverse genotypes were phenotyped for various parameters of sucrose accumulation along with the two control lines. The results demonstrated significant variation among genotypes in sugar yield traits, including Brix value, purity, and sucrose content. Correlation studies indicated significant associations between the Brix%, sucrose content, and sucrose recovery. To prevent false-positive associations, association analysis was conducted using a mixed linear model. The analysis revealed that the SEM 407 marker was significantly linked to the Brix% and sucrose content. The SEM 407 primers were putatively associated with diphosphate-fructose-6- phosphate 1-phosphotransferase, which is linked to Brix% and sucrose content. This functional marker could be used for marker-assisted selection in sugarcane breeding programs, potentially expediting the improvement of sugar yield traits.
Significant of this research:
- Identification of candidate genes responsible for sucrose accumulation in sugarcane varieties in temperate regions of India.
- This gene can be manipulated in crops for sucrose accumulation, yielding a high sugar recovery percentage.
- This could be used to overcome the loss of sugarcane productivity in the temperate regions of India.
