Revisiting the Molecular Roadmap for Sugar Crops: Genome Reading, Trait Writing and Variety Redesigning
5 affiliations
- 1Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Agriculture Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University Fuzhou China
- 2State Key Laboratory of Tropical Crop Breeding, Institute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology, Sanya Research Institute Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences Sanya China
- 3Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biotechnology and Genetic Improvement (Guangxi), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sugarcane Research Institute, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences Nanning China
- 4Department of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering Hazara University Mansehra Pakistan
- 5Engineering Research Centre of Agricultural Microbiology Technology, Ministry of Education & School of Life Sciences Heilongjiang University Harbin China
Abstract
Sugar crops, including but not limited to sugarcane, sugar beet, sweet sorghum and stevia, are major sources of sugar production in the world. However, conventional breeding approaches, limited by long breeding cycles, low efficiency and restricted capacity to improve complex traits in sugar crops, are increasingly insufficient to address the challenges posed by climate change and the demands of sustainable agriculture. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in biotechnology and molecular breeding that have transformed sugar crop improvement. Recently, high-throughput sequencing technologies have generated extensive multi-omics resources. Concurrently, numerous functional genes and genetic elements with substantial breeding potential have been identified and cloned, offering precise targets for the key agronomic traits in sugar crops. Marker-assisted selection has been successfully implemented to enhance disease resistance, while genomic selection has demonstrated well for the evaluation and selection of complex quantitative traits. Importantly, genetic transformation systems have enabled precise manipulation of target genes and facilitated the creation of novel germplasm. In the future, the integration of multi-omics data, artificial intelligence, high-throughput phenotyping and precision genome editing into an intelligent breeding framework will be essential for achieving breeding by design and developing climate-adaptive and smart cultivars. Ultimately, these technological innovations will expand the role of sugar crops beyond traditional sugar production, positioning them as a central platform for sustainable biomanufacturing and providing critical support for global sugar security, energy transition and the development of the bioeconomy.
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BibTeX
@article{wang2026revisiting,
title = {{Revisiting the Molecular Roadmap for Sugar Crops: Genome Reading, Trait Writing and Variety Redesigning}},
author = {Peilin Wang and Qibin Wu and W M Wang and Prakash Lakshmanan and Yangrui Li and Khushi Muhammad and Yuguang Wang and Youxiong Que},
journal = {Plant Biotechnology Journal},
year = {2026},
month = may,
doi = {10.1111/pbi.70683},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1111/pbi.70683},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Revisiting the Molecular Roadmap for Sugar Crops: Genome Reading, Trait Writing and Variety Redesigning
AU - Peilin Wang
AU - Qibin Wu
AU - W M Wang
AU - Prakash Lakshmanan
AU - Yangrui Li
AU - Khushi Muhammad
AU - Yuguang Wang
AU - Youxiong Que
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/05/13
JO - Plant Biotechnology Journal
DO - 10.1111/pbi.70683
UR - https://doi.org/10.1111/pbi.70683
AB - Sugar crops, including but not limited to sugarcane, sugar beet, sweet sorghum and stevia, are major sources of sugar production in the world. However, conventional breeding approaches, limited by long breeding cycles, low efficiency and restricted capacity to improve complex traits in sugar crops, are increasingly insufficient to address the challenges posed by climate change and the demands of sustainable agriculture. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in biotechnology and molecular breeding that have transformed sugar crop improvement. Recently, high-throughput sequencing technologies have generated extensive multi-omics resources. Concurrently, numerous functional genes and genetic elements with substantial breeding potential have been identified and cloned, offering precise targets for the key agronomic traits in sugar crops. Marker-assisted selection has been successfully implemented to enhance disease resistance, while genomic selection has demonstrated well for the evaluation and selection of complex quantitative traits. Importantly, genetic transformation systems have enabled precise manipulation of target genes and facilitated the creation of novel germplasm. In the future, the integration of multi-omics data, artificial intelligence, high-throughput phenotyping and precision genome editing into an intelligent breeding framework will be essential for achieving breeding by design and developing climate-adaptive and smart cultivars. Ultimately, these technological innovations will expand the role of sugar crops beyond traditional sugar production, positioning them as a central platform for sustainable biomanufacturing and providing critical support for global sugar security, energy transition and the development of the bioeconomy.
SN - 1467-7644
SN - 1467-7652
ER -