Project: Nobilisation of Erianthus Species

Site:  Fiji: Sugar Research Institute of Fiji (SRIF)

Rationale:  Most ACP sugar producing countries has been facing major challenges since the loss of EU preferential prices. However the low production and high cost of production are putting many sugar industries in great difficulties. However, it is unfortunate that the full complex diversity has not yet been exploited to assist in improved sugar and energy potential of this sweet plant. Thus it is proposed that whilst there is support from EU and there is need to divert attention to a totally important area of research that is the noblisation of Erianthus species as this has potential to improve not only cane and sugar production but also increase energy production. This could provide the ACP countries a more diversified range of sugarcane products.  The development of production of a more diversified range of sugar diversified products should improve market for these countries. This operation will further empower the exploitation of the biomass potential of sugarcane for electricity generation besides sugar production.

Objectives: Objective 1: The first objective would be to undertake a germplasm collection programme in countries where very little or no collections have been made so far such as Burma, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and New Zealand. A methodology will also be introduced to characterize the germplasm based on ISSCT systems. One of the following i.e. the Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute or Bureau of Sugar Experimental Station,(BSES) Australia or Dr.Pan from Houma, Louisiana USA or Sugarcane Breeding Institute, India will be requested to undertake DNA testing of the hybrid clones and new genotype produced from the crosses. All the data for germplasm characterization and DNA results would be stored in a database for use by other Institutions from around the world.

Objective 2:The second objective would be to select five to ten S.officinarum clones and make crosses with six E.arundinaceous, two E.bengalense NZ and four E.procerus to develop an array of genotype with bloodline from genus Erianthus. These genotypes are to have minimum characteristics for other traits of agronomic importance for further breeding and commercial acceptability. The normal time span for release of varieties is beyond the scope of this operation however it would lay the foundation for parental line development.

Assumptions/Risks: Assumption of free exchange of germplasm and collection of germplasm

It is assumed that for this operation to get off the ground permission will be sought to collect in countries like Vietnam, Thailand and Burma and high sugar commercial clones can be received from Australia and Mauritius. The operation would warrant collaboration with ACP countries that has a breeding and variety selection programme and quarantine facilities. The SRIF has been involved in germplasm collection and free exchange of germplasm for over 50 years. The Institute has a number accession in its germplasm collection numbering approximately 2000 clones, even though most are LF varieties. The exchange of information on breeding and selection activities is an ongoing process with several ACP countries and Australia.

The SRIF would be making germplasm and genotypes made available to countries that do not have a breeding programme.  It is assumed that free exchange of germplasm between ACP countries would continue.

Risks and flexibility: The operation does not entail natural, political, social, financial and economic risks for the beneficiary countries or institutions. The major risk could be due to adverse natural events, like cyclone, floods and droughts which could damage the facilities and delay the operation by an year as it could affect the germplasm and trials besides the infrastructure.

Expected outputs : With respect with the two main objectives given in section 2.2, this operation would collect a number of clones for the germplasm which could be used for overall breeding and variety selection programme by other ACP sugarcane breeding institutions. In the process the collection would also be characterized and DNA analyzed.  The operation would strengthen research and development networking between the ACP countries. It would empower researchers to have access to germplasm that could increase genetic diversity. This would result in improved varieties that could not only improve sugar and cane yield per unit area but also empower the ACP countries to move to cogeneration due to increased biomass in the these varieties. This would empower Fiji and other countries in their clean and green energy programme.

ACP countries concerned : This would result in improved varieties that could not only improve sugar and cane yield per unit area but also empower the ACP countries to move to cogeneration due to increased biomass in the these varieties. This would empower Fiji and other countries in their clean and green energy programme.