Characterisation of an ethyl methanesulfonate‐derived drought‐tolerant sugarcane mutant line

Sustainable sugarcane production in areas prone to frequent and severe drought can be achieved by creating resilient varieties. In this study, a unique mutant line, M9.2, was generated from susceptible commercial cultivar, N19, through the exposure of callus cells ethyl methanesulfonate mutagen subsequent vitro osmotic selection on polyethylene glycol. The study aimed characterise M9.2 mutant, comparison with parental genotype, terms its physiological biochemical performance proteome profile when exposed moderate (14 days without water) (21 water deficit stress glasshouse pot trials. counterparts, plants were able sustain quantum efficiency photosystem II (Fv/Fm) throughout stress. Under mild stress, displayed elevated stomatal conductance, high concentrations proline, accumulated less H2O2 phenotypically limited wilting no visible signs leaf senescence. malondialdehyde more antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase catalase) than line. Differential protein expression also observed according two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis patterns proteins expressed versus during Analysis revealed related photosynthesis (pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase, un-fragmented ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit chlorophyll a/b-binding 3) carbohydrate metabolism (sucrose synthase) up-regulated mutant. Differentially further linked energy metabolism, methylation homeostasis DNA repair. This characterises new beneficial drought-tolerant traits which have potential exploited future breeding programmes.