SASRI: “A Century of Achievement, a Future of Possibilities”

During the year, we celebrated SASRI’s major milestone — 100 years of groundbreaking research and innovation — with a prestigious centenary celebration at Mount Edgecombe on Tuesday 15 July.

Held under the theme “A Century of Achievement, a Future of Possibilities,” the event reflected on SASRI’s basis of establishment: to provide scientific solutions to mitigate the adverse impacts of pests, diseases, and agro-climatic challenges on sugarcane yields. Over the years, SASRI has developed new varieties, technologies and knowledge for the local production of sugarcane. Such achievements have been key to the sustainable growth and development of the industry.

Subsequently, engagements and celebrations were held at various regions of sugarcane production, mainly with growers. These events were, in many ways, an appreciation of the contributions of SASRI to the sustainable growth of sugarcane farming in the country.

We also recognised that scientific institutions such as SASRI have largely been successful through collaboration with various scientific institutions both within and outside the country.  To enable global scientific cooperation, SASRI was one of the founding members of the International Consortium for Sugarcane Biotechnology (ICSB).

At the recent International Society for Sugar Cane Technologists (ISSCT) congress, the important role of the ICSB was highlighted. The ICSB was developed as a non-profit scientific research and development consortium that aimed to encourage and promote the growth of sugarcane biotechnology including molecular genetics, genomics, and genetic transformation as pure and applied sciences; facilitate the sharing of information and technologies among its members; provide a forum for cooperatively identifying, evaluating, and funding research and development in sugarcane biotechnology that is beyond the scope of the individual members; and, promote the general welfare and good fellowship of sugarcane researchers. Members of the consortium contribute to the funding of various projects of common interest to the sugar industry in accordance with their national sugar production.

Throughout the years, this collaborative mechanism has been instrumental in generating scientific and technical knowledge of sugarcane molecular genetics by supporting projects that have led to:

• Mapping of the sugarcane genome;
• Development of genetic markers for use in marker-assisted breeding;
• Identification of genes and associated functional analysis; and,
• Progress in genetic transformation technologies.

All this serves as testimony to the participation of SASRI in global partnerships that have yielded advancements in sugarcane biology, which in turn, provide invaluable knowledge towards developing innovative solutions for growers.

As part of the centenary celebrations of the ISSCT recently in Colombia, many past and present SASRI scientists were recognised for their contributions to the advancement of scientific knowledge of sugarcane. Accordingly, SASRI also recognises its scientists for these awards, namely: Dr S. Rutherford, the late Dr A. Carnegie, Dr. R. Van Antwerpen, Dr. A. Jumman, Dr. F.C. Botha and the late Mr. G. Platford. In addition, SASRI also congratulates a grower who contributed to governance of the ISSCT and served as the chair, namely, Mr. T. Murray.

We have now come towards the end of the calendar year, that in South Africa coincides with the rainy season, particularly in the sugarcane growing areas. Meteorologists have determined that we are now in the cycle of La Ni͂na, that is accompanied by significant rainfall. Although this bodes well for sugarcane crop growth, it also demands alertness for any other potential adverse impacts. Accordingly, growers would be advised to monitor their crop regularly and seek scientific advice from the SASRI extension and biosecurity service and agronomists where the need arises.

SASRI presents its acknowledgement and thanks to all its stakeholders, particularly the large- and small-scale growers, miller-cum-planters and millers for contributing to its achievements. We look forward to all collaborations, especially the participatory knowledge exchange with all growers. People at SASRI are the most important resource for the sustainable success of research and development in the sugar industry; we therefore express our appreciation for their continued commitment to the organisation’s success.

As we close the calendar year, we wish all our readers a restful and happy holiday. We look forward to engaging with you in the new year.

The Link is a short newsletter that provides advice on key aspects for sustainable sugarcane production and productivity. We hope you will gain insights from these articles, gather additional information, especially from the experts at SASRI, and apply such knowledge in your farming practices. Enjoy reading the articles.