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Sugarcane is an important sugar crop and it can be subjected to ratooning for several years. The advantages of ratooning include quality improvement, efficiency enhancement, and reduced costs and energy use. The genotype, environment, cultivation management, and harvesting technology affect the productivity and longevity of ratoon cane, with the genetic basis being the most critical factor. However, the majority of research has been focused on only limited genotypes, and a few studies have evaluated up to 100 sugarcane germplasm resources. They mainly focus on the comparison among different genotypes or among plant cane, different selection strategies for the first and second ratoon crops, together with screening indicators for the selection of stronger ratooning ability. In this paper, previous studies are reviewed in order to analyze the importance of sugarcane ratooning, the indicative traits used to evaluate ratooning ability, the major factors influencing the productivity and longevity of ratooning, the genetic basis of variation in ratooning ability, and the underlying mechanisms. Furthermore, the shortcomings of the existing research on sugarcane ratooning are highlighted. We then discuss the focus of future ratoon sugarcane research and the technical methods that will shorten the selection cycle and increase the genetic gain of ratooning ability, particularly the development of linked markers. This review is expected to provide a reference for understanding the mechanisms underlying the formation of ratooning ability and for breeding sugarcane varieties with a strong ratooning ability.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238085.].

Growing concerns about the impacts of climate change and dependence on fossil fuels have intensified interest in bioenergy from sugar cane and other crops, highlighting important links between energy, environment and development goals. Sub-Saharan Africa is characterized by severe poverty; the possibility to exploit a renewable energy resource offers valuable avenues for sustainable development and could support a more dynamic and competitive economy. This book describes how the bioenergy expansion will improve rural livelihoods, reduce costly energy imports, reduce GHG emissions, and offer new development paths. Drawing on international experience, it is shown that harnessing this potential will require significant increases in investment, technology transfer, and international cooperation. Because of its high efficiency, the authors argue that sugar cane should be viewed as a global resource for sustainable development and should command much greater focus and concerted policy action. Through an analysis of the agronomy, land suitability and industrial processing of sugar cane and its co-products, along with an assessment of the energy, economic and environmental implications, this volume demonstrates that sugar cane offers a competitive and environmentally beneficial resource for Africa's economic development and energy security. With forty-four authors representing thirty organisations in sixteen countries, the book offers a truly international and interdisciplinary perspective by combining technical and economic principles with social, political and environmental assessment and policy analysis. --publisher's website.

Sugarcane ( Saccharum officinarum L.) is a sugar crop capable of ratoon cultivation, and its ratooning ability directly relates to sugarcane production costs and planting benefits. Sugarcane ridges with missing seedlings and gaps are an important reason for the reduction in the number of effective stalks and the years of ratooning of ratoon sugarcane. Therefore, analyzing the differences and correlations in important agronomic traits during yield formation within ratoon sugarcane populations after replanting treatment is of paramount importance for guiding ratoon cultivation. In this study, the 3rd-year ratoon sugarcane of the main varieties Guiliu 2 (GL2), Guitang 44 (GT44), and Yuetang 00236 (YT236), which are widely cultivated, served as the target population for replenishment. Using stem cuttings of Guifu 98-296 (GF296) as the replanting material, replanting treatment was applied to sugarcane ridges with missing seedlings and gaps in the planting plots of the after mentioned three varieties. Unreplanted populations served as their respective controls (CK). At harvest in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th ratoon years, data on important agronomic traits and sucrose content of the sugarcane populations under the replanting and non-replanting treatments were investigated. An analysis was conducted to ascertain the differences and correlations among agronomic trait indicators. The economic benefits of the replanting treatment and CK were calculated. The findings of the study demonstrated that the number of effective stalks in the replanted populations of GL2, GT44, and YT236 was significantly higher than in the non-replanted control groups (CK), with an increase ranging from 10.72 to 45.26%. The yield of both the replanted and CK groups for GL2, GT44, and YT236 decreased by 9.56–54.14% with prolonged the years of ratooning. Conversely, the yield of the replanted populations increased by 28.19–158.61% over extended ratooning years. Significant variations were observed in plant height, stem diameter, and single-stalk weight among the original ratoon sugarcane varieties (GL2, GT44, YT236) and their respective CK groups across different ratooning years. In the non-replanted groups, the number of effective stalks exhibited a highly significant negative correlation with the years of ratooning (correlation coefficients: GL2: − 0.907, GT44: − 0.931, YT236: − 0.756), and yield also showed a highly significant negative correlation with the years of ratooning (GL2: − 0.915, GT44: − 0.905, YT236: − 0.930). Notably, after replanting, the negative correlation between the years of ratooning and both yield and effective stalk number was eliminated, indicating improved population structure. Furthermore, the replanted GL2, GT44, and YT236 populations exhibited increased economic benefits, with cumulative net income gains over three ratooning seasons of 48,120.80 CNY ha −1 , 46,765.80 CNY ha −1 , and 42,398.60 CNY ha −1 , respectively. In conclusion, GF296 replanting effectively extended the years of ratooning by three years, substantially enhanced economic returns, and is suitable for large-scale implementation. The present study provides a theoretical basis for constructing high-yield populations, maximising ratoon potential, and achieving high-efficiency cultivation.

Mosaic is one of the most important sugarcane diseases, caused by single or compound infection of Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV), Sorghum mosaic virus (SrMV), and/or Sugarcane streak mosaic virus (SCSMV). The compound infection of mosaic has become increasingly serious in the last few years. The disease directly affects the photosynthesis and growth of sugarcane, leading to a significant decrease in cane yield and sucrose content, and thus serious economic losses. This review covers four aspects of sugarcane mosaic disease management: first, the current situation of sugarcane mosaic disease and its epidemic characteristics; second, the pathogenicity and genetic diversity of the three viruses; third, the identification methods of mosaic and its pathogen species; and fourth, the prevention and control measures for sugarcane mosaic disease and potential future research focus. The review is expected to provide scientific literature and guidance for the effective prevention and control of mosaic through resistance breeding in sugarcane.