Towards much more efficient biofuel crops - can sugarcane pave the way?

Abstract

A triple challenge will confront world plant production in a few forthcoming decades: population increase, worsening of growth conditions and changeover from fossil-based to renewable energy and raw materials. The challenge cannot be met without utilizing the best modern biological techniques, genetic modification included. In the current era of rapid environmental changes, plant breeding should take even greater responsibility for food, feed, fiber and fuels than in the past. There are good prospects for remarkable improvements in yield level and energy efficiency of plant production, as is exemplified with the cases of modern crop and especially sugarcane improvement in consideration. For example, sugar content, biomass yield, pest and disease resistance, environmental safety and resource use efficiency of biofuel crop production can be essentially improved on the basis of new genetic know-how and taking advantage of the richness of genetic resources available in the Plant Kingdom. In particular, the natural reservoir of 10,000 wild grass species should be exploited in the purest way possible, by means of modern and precise GM methods. Consequently, our vital needs in biofuel crop production can be fulfilled without increasing crop production areas untenably at the expense of the remaining wilderness or compromising food security in the world.