Revolutionizing Sugarcane Molecular Breeding and Biotechnological Approaches: Current Status and Future Strategies

Dr. Krishan K. Verma is working as Foreign Expert at Sugarcane Research Institute, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning, Guangxi, China. His research focuses on the environmental toxicology, bio-engineering modeling, plant physio-molecular biology and their impacts on growth and stress adaptation strategies during adverse climate conditions, and how they affect plant structure and productivity. He obtained his Master’s and doctorate (Botany) from the C.S.J.M., University and University of Lucknow, Lucknow, India, PDF from University of Lucknow and Young – Scientist from C.S.A. University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, India. He received ‘Award of Excellence- 2021’ and elected as Fellow of Society for Sugarcane Research & Promotion (FSSRP-2024) for his outstanding contribution to Sugarcane Crop Production.

Dr. Xiu-Peng Song is working as Associate Professor (Assoc. Prof.) at Sugarcane Research Institute, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences / Guangxi Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Genetic Improvement / Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biotechnology and Genetic Improvement (Guangxi), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanning, Guangxi, China. His ongoing research focuses on plant physiology and biochemistry of stress resistance, occurrence mechanism, and comprehensive control of diseases and insect pests in sugarcane. He received his Master’s and Ph.D. (Biochemistry and molecular biology) from Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, China. He presided over 4 projects, such as the National Natural Science Foundation China, and participated in 16 projects, including national and international cooperation projects. He has won 6 awards, such as Guangxi Science and Technology Progress Award.

Dr. Dong-Liang Huang is working as Professor and Party Secretary at Sugarcane Research Institute, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning, China. He has also been serving as the Deputy Director of the Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biotechnology and Genetic Improvement (Guangxi) since 2012. He has General Secretary of the NJR Program for Elite Sugarcane Variety Development in China since 2018. He earned his doctorate from Guangxi University (2008) and visiting scientist at Sugar Research Australia (April 2015 - April 2016). Current research focuses on sugarcane molecular breeding and developed transgenic sugarcane lines with enhanced sugar content, drought tolerance, disease and insect resistance. He has completed 16 projects (one for the National Key Research and Development Program and two for the National Natural Science Foundation of China). He has been elected as Fellow - 2024 of Society for Sugarcane Research & Promotion for his outstanding contribution to Sugarcane Crop Improvement.

Dr. Renato de Mello Prado, Ph.D., is currently working as a Professor of Plant Nutrition at São Paulo State University, São Paulo, Brazil. He also coordinates a research group (Genplant) focused on the nutrition of tropical plants. He holds Ph.D. in Agronomy from the São Paulo State University, Brazil, and completed his postdoctoral program at the University of Cordoba and the Public University of Navarra, Spain. He coordinated dozens of national and international research projects. These projects provided guidance/co-supervision for more than one hundred students (Masters/Doctorate) and thirty postdocs from Brazil and other countries.

Prof. Yang-Rui Li (Life-time Professor) earned B.A. degree (1982) from Guangxi Agricultural University, Master’s (1985) and doctorate (1988) from Fujian Agricultural University, China. He was employed as a lecturer (January 1988 to November 1989), Associate Professor (December 1989 to November 1992) and Professor (since December 1992) in the Department of Agronomy, Guangxi Agricultural University, Vice-President of Guangxi University (March 1997 to April 1998), and President of GAAS (May 1998 to November 2012). He has been serving as the Director of Sugarcane Research Center, CAAS, since September 2007, and Chief-Expert of the National Joint Research Program for Elite Sugarcane Variety Development in China since 2018. He is the president of the IAPSIT, Vice-President of SSRP, and President of the CSIATI. His research interests on sugarcane physiol-biochem-molecular biology, sugarcane genetics, breeding and cultivation of sugarcane. He received 23 scientific research awards from the Chinese government and 14 awards from international organizations.