Morphoanatomical variations of sugarcane genotypes: a micro-scale comparative analysis

Abstract

Abstract Despite advances in sugarcane production, pest issues persist. While genetic improvement programs are crucial to overcome this challenge, they often overlook potential anatomical changes at the micro-scale. This study describes structural phenotypic differences in the leaves of conventional sugarcane and a genetically modified cultivar offering defense against the sugarcane borer derived from Bacillus thuringiensis. Microscopic analysis revealed similar anatomical leaf compositions, yet significant micromorphometric variations were observed in seven leaf parameters: vascular bundle, xylem, bulliform cells, phloem, mesophyll, leaf blade, and the number of stomata. The conventional cultivar exhibited larger mean values for these parameters with the exception of stomatal density, suggesting enhanced capacity for photosynthesis and sap flow under optimal conditions. Correlation analysis revealed distinct strategies in relating leaf parameters between cultivars, with the transgenic cultivar exhibiting stronger interdependencies. These results offer valuable insights on adaptability of plant genotypes and highlight the importance of considering leaf anatomical traits in cultivar selection.

Keywords

• CTC 20 BT
• genetically modified organism
• leaf anatomy
• Saccharum officinarum