Conservation, exchange, evaluation and utilization of sugar cane germplasm in Mauritius
| MSI99P1556 | |
| Ramdoyal, K. Domaingue, R. | |
| Conservation, exchange, evaluation and utilization of sugar cane germplasm in Mauritius | |
| Dulloo, M. E., Dulymamode, R. (eds), Plant genetic resources in Mauritius: towards a national strategy: Proceedings of a national workshop on plant genetic resources in Mauritius, held at the University of Mauritius, 21-22 October 1993 | |
| Book chapter | |
| 1994 | |
| p. 65-78 | |
| 999 03-919-0-4 | |
| Réduit, National Parks and Conservation Service, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources | |
| En | |
| En | |
| The previously cultivated Saccharum species, S. officinarum, S. sinense, S. barberi and the wild Saccharum species S. Spontaneum, S. robustum as well as the associated genera, Erianthus, Miscanthus, Narenga, Sclerostachya constitute the basic genetic resources of sugar cane. The discovery of viable seeds in sugar cane and the early interspecific hybridisation work in Java have constituted major landmarks in the genetic improvement of the crop. However, the narrow genetic base of modern sugar cane varieties and increased disturbance and destruction of habitats in the ventres of origin have prompted several collection expeditions and the establishment of world collections of Saccharum complex and allied genera. These are maintained by the USDA/ARS at Canal Point and Miami, Florida and by the Sugar Cane Breeding Institute at Cannanore, India. Mauritius has played a prominent part in the exchange and utilization of sugarcane germplasm that trace back to the Dutch era through the French, English and present times. In the past noble canes were exchanged as a substitute for low yielding and disease susceptible clones. Mauritius has been actively engaged in the genetic improvement of sugar cane since the early days of hybridisation. The MSIRI presently maintains a collection of 1840 sugar cane clones which includes basic species and allied genera, interspecific derived clones, foreign and locally-bred commercial hybrids. Utilization of germplasm depends upon the breeding policy and philosophy adopted. This includes the integration of exotic germplasm into the breeding material and broadening of the genetic base of sugar cane varieties through interspecific and intergeneric hybridisation. Cultivated Mauritian varieties originate from a narrow gene pool as is the case for nearly all sugar cane varieties bred in the world. Computerisation of parental data coupled with knowledge of sugarcane genetic have enabled a rational use of parents for breedig purposes. Parents are utilised based on their own characteristics and on their breeding values. Future developments will include techniques for in-vitro germplasm conservation, and in-vitro exchange of germplasm, and the categorisation of parents based on molecular markers. | |
| SUGARCANE GERMPLASM SACCHARUM GENETIC RESOURCES GENETICS | |
| MAURITIUS | |
| Cane breeding and genetic improvement | |
| Breeding: Germplasm exchange | |
| 1994-01-06 | |
| En | |
| LIB PB FC HERB | |
| CAT | |
| PB |