Unlocking the genetic potential of sugarcane: gene discovery for molecular breeding

Sugarcane is a globally important crop for sugar production and bioenergy generation. However, its highly complex allopolyploid genome has greatly hindered conventional breeding, making cultivar development a lengthy and labor-intensive process that often requires more than a decade. Molecular breeding provides a promising solution by enabling the targeted improvement of desirable traits, but its success depends fundamentally on the discovery and functional characterization of key genes. In this review, we summarize recent advances in sugarcane gene discovery, focusing on genes associated with major agronomic traits, including sucrose accumulation, growth and development, and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. We also discuss the current challenges limiting gene identification and utilization in sugarcane, and highlight emerging technologies and future strategies to accelerate gene discovery and molecular breeding. This review provides an integrated overview of the current progress and future prospects of sugarcane gene discovery, offering valuable insights for developing improved cultivars through genomics-assisted breeding.