MicroRNA regulation in sugarcane: Biological functions and breeding perspectives

Sugarcane, a key crop for both sugar production and bioenergy, is increasingly challenged by climate change and environmental stresses, underscoring the urgent need for high-yield and stress-tolerant varieties. Traditional breeding is constrained by the crop’s complex genome, while molecular breeding provides a more precise and efficient alternative. Identifying key regulators of agronomically important traits is central to this process. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), which govern plant growth, development, and stress responses, represent promising molecular resources for advancing sugarcane genetic improvement. However, knowledge of miRNA-mediated regulation in sugarcane is still limited and fragmented. Recent studies have begun to elucidate their roles, thereby gradually revealing the complexity of miRNA-mediated regulation. This review offers a comprehensive synthesis of recent research on sugarcane miRNAs, encompassing their regulatory roles and target validation strategies. Notably, it represents the first comprehensive overview of miRNA research in sugarcane, thereby representing a significant milestone in the field. Based on recent findings, we also propose future directions for miRNA studies to facilitate molecular breeding efforts and improve stress tolerance in sugarcane. • Comprehensive overview of sugarcane miRNAs. • Emphasizing their roles in sugarcane development and stress responses. • Proposing opportunities and future directions for miRNA-mediated sugarcane improvement.