South African Sugarcane Research Institute: Embracing Biotechnology For Crop Improvement Research

Sugar Tech (2008) 10(1) : 1-13

INVITED REVIEW

South African Sugarcane Research Institute: Embracing biotechnology for crop improvement research
S.J. Snyman1,2 · C. Baker1 · B.I. Huckett1,2· S.A. McFarlane1 · T. van Antwerpen1 · S. Berry1 · J. Omarjee1 · R.S. Rutherford1 · D.A. Watt1,2

Received: 20 September 2007 / Accepted: 7 December 2007

Abstract The South African SugarcaneResearch Institute (SASRI) is a leading agricultural research institute and the only one of its kind in Africa conducting research into the development of new varieties, improving crop management and farming systems to enhance sugarcane productivity. In addition, effective delivery of new knowledge and technology make a significant contribution to the sustainability of the sugar industry in southernAfrica. Variety Improvement and Crop Protection are key focus areas of research that have embraced modern molecular technologies to advance both conventional breeding and integrated control of pests and diseases. Keywords Sugarcane, South Africa, SASRI, biotechnology, crop improvement

The South African sugar industry: structure and strategic challenges The earliest accounts of sugarcane cultivationin South Africa stem from 1635 when Portuguese explorers, shipwrecked near the mouth of the Umzimkulu River, recorded that sugarcane was one of the crops grown by the local inhabitants. Following the establishment of the Agricultural Society in South Africa in 1848, the industry expanded, and

S.J. Snyman ( ) · B.I. Huckett · D.A. Watt C. Baker · SA Mcfarlane · T Van Antwerpen · S Berry · JOmarjee · R.S. Rutherford 1 South African Sugarcane Research Institute, Private Bag X02, Mount Edgecombe, 4300, South Africa 2 School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, University of KwaZuluNatal, Private Bag X54001, Durban, 4000, South Africa E-mail: sasri@sugar.org.za

today produces on average 2.5 million tons of sugar per season from 428 000 hectares (Moore and Hudson, 2007). Thesouthernmost sugarcane industry in the world the South African industry is faced with numerous challenges, not least of which is the topography of the cane growing regions. Extending between the latitudes of 25°S - 31°S, and mostly within the eastern province of KwaZulu-Natal (Fig. 1), conditions are not ideal for sugarcane farming. Of the 428 000 hectares currently under sugarcane about 68% is grownwithin 30 km of the coast and 17% in the high rainfall area of the KwaZulu-Natal midlands. The balance is grown in the northern irrigated areas. Unlike many other industries, most of South Africa’s cane land is sloping, which has resulted in a primarily hand-harvested crop. Further, the relatively low rainfall levels (averaging between 950 mm and 1100 mm per annum) experienced throughout the regioncontribute to the marginal conditions (O’Reilly, 1998). There are approximately 45 300 registered growers in South Africa, of which some 43 500 are small-scale farmers that account for approximately 11% of the crop. Their plots of land range in size, but on average are less than 10 ha. Furthermore, these growers farm mostly on land to which they have no title or ownership. The industry is served by14 sugar mills. Of these, five are owned by Illovo Sugar Limited, four by Tongaat Hulett Sugar Limited, two by TSB Sugar RSA Limited, one by Umvoti Transport (Pty) Limited, one by Ushukela Milling (Pty) Limited and one is a co-operative - UCL Company Limited. Four of the mills are known as “white end” mills and produce their own refined sugar. Raw sugar produced by TSB Sugar RSA Ltd is exportedvia the sugar terminal in Maputo. Raw sugar produced at the remaining mills is routed to Durban where it is either refined or stored at the South African Sugar Association Sugar Terminal prior to export. Diversity is the

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Sugar Tech (2008) 10(1) : 1-13

Fig. 1. A map representing the sugarcane industry in South Africa. The Research Stations are managed by SASRI primarily for plant...