The identification of germplasm resources is an important aspect of sugarcane breeding. The aim of this study was to introduce a new method for identifying Saccharum spontaneum and its progeny. First, we cloned and sequenced nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (nrDNA-ITS) sequences from 20 Saccharum germplasms. Analysis of these nrDNA-ITS sequences showed a stable mutation at base 89. Primers (FO13, RO13, FI16, and RI16) were then designed for tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) PCR based on mutations at base 89 of the nrDNA-ITS sequence. An additional 71 Saccharum germplasms were identified using this tetra-primer ARMS PCR method, which confirmed that the method using the described primers successfully identified Saccharum spontaneum and progeny. These results may help improve the efficiency of modern molecular breeding of sugarcane and lay a foundation for identification of sugarcane germplasms and the relationships among them.

Plasma membrane intrinsic proteins (PIPs), as members of the aquaporin (AQPs) family, can transport not only water but also urea, CO₂, H₂O₂, metal ions, and trace elements. They are crucial for maintaining water balance, substance transport, and responding to various stresses. This article delves into the structure, function, response mechanism, molecular mechanism, and regulatory mechanism of PIPs as a result of biological and abiotic stresses. It also summarizes current research trends surrounding PIPs and highlights potential research directions for further exploration. The aim is to assist researchers in related fields in gaining a more comprehensive understanding and precise insight into the advancements in PIP research.

Sugarcane is of important economic value for producing sugar and bioethanol. Tripidium arundinaceum (old name: Erianthus arundinaceum) is an intergeneric wild species of sugarcane that has desirable resistance traits for improving sugarcane varieties. However, the scarcity of chromosome markers has hindered the cytogenetic study of T. arundinaceum. Here we applied maize chromosome painting probes (MCPs) to identify chromosomes in sorghum and T. arundinaceum using a repeated fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) system. Sequential FISH revealed that these MCPs can be used as reliable chromosome markers for T. arundinaceum, even though T. arundinaceum has diverged from maize over 18 MYs (million years). Using these MCPs, we identified T. arundinaceum chromosomes based on their sequence similarity compared to sorghum and labeled them 1 through 10. Then, the karyotype of T. arundinaceum was established by multiple oligo-FISH. Furthermore, FISH results revealed that 5S rDNA and 35S rDNA are localized on chromosomes 5 and 6, respectively, in T. arundinaceum. Altogether, these results represent an essential step for further cytogenetic research of T. arundinaceum in sugarcane breeding.

Sugarcane is an important sugar and energy crop in the world. Germplasm innovation is a significant way to breed breakthrough sugarcane varieties. Modern sugarcane varieties all contain the blood relationship of Saccharum officinarum and Saccharum spontaneum. High sugar results from S. officinarum and the resistance genes from S. spontaneum. In order to improve the sugarcane quality, breeders use S. officinarum and S. spontaneum to cross and obtain hybrid offspring with high sugar and high resistance. Therefore, the authenticity of S. officinarum and S. spontaneum progeny materials directly affects the efficiency of sugarcane breeding. In this study, the tetra-primer amplification hindered mutation system (ARMS PCR) was used to identify ten suspected S. officinarum and eleven suspected S. spontaneum germplasm materials, then further validated by chromosome counting and genome in situ hybridization (GISH). Among the ten suspected S. officinarum materials to be identified, three were real S. officinarum materials, they were 14NG124, 51NG103, and Guan A. Nine of the eleven suspected S. spontaneum to be identified were fake S. spontaneum materials, these were Yunge 2007-12-165, Guangxi 87-20, Yunnan 82-16, Yunge 2007-11, YNLC 16, Laos No. 2, Yunnan 82-29, 2015-83, and 2013-20. The ARMS PCR results were the same as the GISH results. The three real S. officinarum materials had 80 chromosomes. Using ARMS PCR and GISH, three S. officinarum and nine S. spontaneum materials were proven to be authentic. Through chromosome number statistics, it was found that the three real S. officinarum had 80 chromosomes. Authentic materials were identified and selected to enrich the genetic background of sugarcane through hybridization and reduce the influence on the breeding process of the misuse of fake S. officinarum and S. spontaneum.

Background: In recent years, sugarcane has attracted increasing attention as an energy crop. Wild resources are widely used to improve the narrow genetic base of sugarcane. However, the infertility of F₁ hybrids between Saccharum officinarum (S. officinarum) and Erianthus arundinaceus (E. arundinaceus) has hindered sugarcane breeding efforts. To discover the cause of this infertility, we studied the hybridization process from a cytological perspective. Results: We examined the meiotic process of pollen mother cells (PMCs) in three F₁ hybrids between S. officinarum and E. arundinaceus. Cytological analysis showed that the male parents, Hainan 92–77 and Hainan 92–105, had normal meiosis. However, the meiosis process in F₁ hybrids showed various abnormal phenomena, including lagging chromosomes, micronuclei, uneven segregation, chromosome bridges, and inability to form cell plates. Genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) showed unequal chromatin distribution during cell division. Interestingly, 96.70% of lagging chromosomes were from E. arundinaceus. Furthermore, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed using 45S rDNA and 5S rDNA as probes. Either 45S rDNA or 5S rDNA sites were lost during abnormal meiosis, and results of unequal chromosomal separation were also clearly observed in tetrads. Conclusions: Using cytogenetic analysis, a large number of meiotic abnormalities were observed in F₁. GISH further confirmed that 96.70% of the lagging chromosomes were from E. arundinaceus. Chromosome loss was found by further investigation of repeat sequences. Our findings provide insight into sugarcane chromosome inheritance to aid innovation and utilization in sugarcane germplasm resources.