Improving root characteristics is an important breeding target to increase the productivity of sugarcane grown under rainfed conditions. Erianthus arundinaceus is promising breeding material for sugarcane improvement because of its excellent drought tolerance with deep roots. This study evaluated the agronomic traits and root characteristics of an intergeneric F₁ hybrid of sugarcane and E. arundinaceus to assess the potential for introducing the root characteristics of E. arundinaceus into sugarcane through intergeneric hybridisation. Field experiments using the sugarcane cultivar NiF8, E. arundinaceus clones, and their intergeneric F₁ hybrid J08–12, were carried out at the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences, Japan. We evaluated root distribution from 0 to 120 cm depth and fibre composition, along with agricultural traits, such as biomass productivity, sugar and fibre contents. As was observed with E. arundinaceus clones, J08–12 had more stalks than NiF8 with increased dry matter yield in ratoon crops. The sugar and fibre contents of J08–12 were intermediate between those of NiF8 and E. arundinaceus clones. J08–12 and E. arundinaceus clones had greater root dry matter weight per stool and smaller shoot-root ratios than NiF8. In terms of root distribution, E. arundinaceus clones had significantly greater root dry weights and root length densities than NiF8 from the surface to deep soil layers. J08–12 also exhibited greater root dry weights and root length densities than NiF8, showing significant differences in the 100–120 cm layer in the experiments. Root dry matter and lignin contents were low in NiF8, high in E. arundinaceus clones, and intermediate in J08–12. These results indicate that intergeneric hybridisation of sugarcane and E. arundinaceus could successfully introduce root characteristics of E. arundinaceus, such as deep root distribution and high lignin content, into sugarcane. Improving sugarcane root characteristics through intergeneric hybridisation with E. arundinaceus will be a powerful strategy to improve tolerance to adverse environments and achieve sustainable production in the future.

改善根系特性是提高雨养甘蔗产量的重要育种目标。Erianthus arundinaceus具有优良的耐旱性和深根性，是很有前途的甘蔗改良育种材料。本研究评估了甘蔗和野芋属间 F ₁杂交种的农艺性状和根系特征，以评估通过属间杂交将野野野芋的根系特性引入甘蔗的潜力。使用甘蔗品种 NiF8、E. arundinaceus克隆及其属间 F _{1的田间试验}hybrid J08-12，在日本国际农业科学研究中心进行。我们评估了从 0 到 120 厘米深度的根系分布和纤维成分，以及农业特性，例如生物量生产力、糖分和纤维含量。正如在E. arundinaceus克隆中观察到的那样，J08-12 的茎比 NiF8 多，宿根作物的干物质产量增加。J08-12 的糖和纤维含量介于 NiF8 和E. arundinaceus克隆之间。J08-12 和E. arundinaceus克隆比 NiF8 具有更大的根干物质重量和更小的根茎比。在根系分布方面，E. arundinaceus从表层到深层土壤，无性系的根干重和根长密度明显大于 NiF8。J08-12 还表现出比 NiF8 更大的根干重和根长密度，在实验中显示出 100-120 厘米层的显着差异。根干物质和木质素含量在 NiF8 中较低，在E. arundinaceus无性系中较高，在 J08-12 中居中。这些结果表明，甘蔗和紫藤属间杂交可以成功地将紫藤的根系特征，例如深根分布和高木质素含量引入到甘蔗中。通过与E. arundinaceus的属间杂交改善甘蔗根系特性将是提高对不利环境的耐受力和实现未来可持续生产的有力战略。