Location: Sugarcane Research
Project Number: 6052-21000-018-016-T
Project Type: Trust Fund Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: May 1, 2025
End Date: Apr 30, 2030
Objective:
Improve sugarcane production effciency by enlarging the genetic base and developing cultural and chemical management strategies that insure optimum yields while reducing the threats of yield reduction associated with diseases, insects, and weeds.
Approach:
Employ traditional an dmolecular breeding approaches that combine traits to overcome productivity barriers with genetic resistance to stress associated with cold temperatures and disease and insect pests. Utilize an interdisciplinary research approach to develop environmentally friendly management strategies incorprating biological control, host-plant resistance, high unit activity pesticides, ripeners, and cultural practices to sustain soil health and insure profitability while reducing soil, nutrient, and pesticide loss and keeping pest populations below identified economic threshold levels.