Applied Genomics
- Applications of genomic information into the pre-breeding effort, including genetic diversity assessment, frequency of disease-resistance QTL in germplasm, genomic selection, and all applications of incorporating genetic relatedness into practical breeding strategies.
- Genome-wide association studies for traits of interest using diversity panel, bi-parental, and self populations of genotypes.
Phenomics
- Statistical and machine learning modeling and predictions for genetic value comparisons between varieties
- Analysis of breeding trial data for crossing, pre-breeding/parent population development, and selection of elite genotypes
- Assessments of High-Throughput Phenotyping technologies for their ability to detect varietal differences and estimate traits of interest for the breeding trials
- UAV-generated image data and indices to estimate agronomic performance
- Development of in-field implements for ground-based phenotyping using RGB and LiDAR sensors
- Development and validation of ratoon ability indices for selection.
Enviromics
- Determination of environmental causal agents of genotype-by-environment interactions in sugarcane breeding trials
- Defining a target population of environments for efficient testing in representative locations of the Louisiana production zone
- Incorporating envirotyping techniques to model genotype-by-environment interactions and increase selection accuracy for broadly adapted genotypes
- Trait-targeted nurseries in three representative locations of the LA production zone for increased ratoon ability and fitness for expanded areas of commercial production.
- Germplasm assessment for cold tolerance.
Germplasm Improvement
- Development of breeding tools for crossing, selection, tracking historical pedigrees, and data management
- Quantifying genetic gains within and across selection stages and cycles
Conference Presentations
“AI in Agroecosystems: Incorporating AI Into the LSU AgCenter Sugarcane Breeding Program.” B. Blanchard et al. 2023 AI in Agroecosystems – Baton Rouge, LA. Host and Guest Speaker.
“Genomic Selection at the LSU AgCenter Sugar Research Station: Where and How is it Working?” B. Blanchard. 2025 Sugar Association of the Caribbean Group Tour – St. Gabriel, LA. Host and Presenter.
American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists Annual Joint Meetings.
“What is Influencing Our Genetic Values?: A Full Breeding Program Evaluation.” B. Blanchard. 2025 – Charlotte Harbor, FL. Awarded 1st place presenter.
“Precision Sugarcane Breeding: Driving Genetic Gains Through Multi-Omics Strategies.” B. Blanchard. 2025 – Baton Rouge, LA.
“Optimizing Sugarcane Breeding with R and Python: An Interactive and Improved Database for Daily Crossing Decisions.” B. Blanchard et al. 2023 – Savannah, GA.
“The Dynamics of Using New Versus Old Parents in the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center Sugarcane Breeding and Selection Program.” B. Blanchard et al. 2022 – Bonita Springs, FL.
“Predicting Progeny Performance for Sucrose Content in the Early Clonal Stage Using Parent Value from Variety Performance Trials.” B. Blanchard et al. 2021 – Virtual.
“Can Florida Sugarcane Varieties Benefit the Louisiana Sugar Industry?” B. Blanchard and K. Gravois. Awarded 1st place presenter. 2019 – Mobile, Alabama.
