Project Number: 6625-13210-003-03
Project Type: Trust

Start Date: Jan 31, 2003
End Date: Jan 30, 2008

Objective:
(1)Make crosses with the basic species of Saccharum and related genera. (2) Produce enough true seed of recommended crosses at Canal Point to supply the Florida cooperative sugarcane breeding program. (3) Select, develop and release sugarcane cultivars. (4) Evaluate varieties under different sugarcane production systems in use in Florida. (5) Develop marker assisted selection for hard to select traits. (6) Develop and institute new diseases screening methods for important sugarcane pathogens.

Approach:
All known techniques will be used to synchronize flowering to increase the probability of making desirable crosses, hybrids will be crosses and backcrossed under unconventional systems of breeding in an effort to increase the genetic contribution of the exotic parents in commercial cultivars. The influence of environmental conditions, stalk preservation techniques of both male and female and pollen loading (ratio of male:female tassels) will be evaluated. Pollen storage techniques for effecting crosses between parents of widely differing anthesis times will be further refines. Screening methods for important diseases will be refined and incorporated in the cultivar development program. Variety yield trials will be assessed under various production methods, including tolerance to high water tables. Trust agreement Florida Sugarcane League Inc.

Project Team

Comstock, Jack Tai, Peter Edme, Serge

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003

Related National Programs

Plant, Microbial & Insect Genetic Res., Genomics, & Genetic Improv. I (301)