Genomics‐assisted pyramiding of <scp> <i>sugary1</i> </scp> and <scp> <i>shrunken2</i> </scp> genes for enhancement of kernel sucrose in sweetcorn hybrids

Abstract BACKGROUND Sweetcorn, owing to its kernel sweetness, has emerged as a crop of choice for its diverse usage worldwide. A large number of sweetcorn cultivars with a recessive shrunken2 ( sh2 ) or sugary1 ( su1 ) genes are available globally. However, a limited number of double‐recessive ( su1su1sh2sh2 ) sweetcorn hybrids with enhanced kernel sweetness are available. RESULTS We introgressed su1 into the parental inbreds of two widely cultivated sh2 ‐based sweetcorn hybrids – PSSC‐1 (PMI‐SWT019 × PMI‐SWT020) and PSSC‐2 (PMI‐SWT016 × PMI‐SWT017), using genomics‐assisted breeding. Foreground selection was successfully undertaken in BC 1 F 1 , BC 2 F 1 and BC 2 F 2 generations using SuDel36 and SNP_AG1 markers specific to su1 and sh2 genes, respectively. Both genes segregated according to the Mendelian inheritance pattern, with few exceptions. Background selection using 100–114 simple sequence repeats facilitated recovery of >90% of the recurrent parent genome across crosses. Introgressed inbreds ( su1su1sh2sh2 ) possessed 438 g kg −1 sucrose and 74 g kg −1 phytoglycogen over 261 and 52 g kg −1 , respectively, among original versions. Reconstituted sweetcorn hybrids also possessed significantly higher sucrose (439 g kg −1 ) and phytoglycogen (77 g kg −1 ) over original hybrids (sucrose: 255 g kg −1 ; phytoglycogen: 55 g kg −1 ), amounting to 72% and 40% enhancement, respectively. The dehusked cob yield of new sweetcorn hybrids were at par with their original versions. Improved sweetcorn hybrids possessed similar agronomic and DUS (distinctness, uniformity and stability) characters comparable to the original versions. CONCLUSION These su1su1sh2sh2 hybrids offer significant commercial value for fresh consumption, catering and processing markets to meet evolving consumer preferences for sweeter, high‐quality sweetcorn, as their higher sugar levels enhance taste and consumer appeal, thereby increasing market demand and income opportunities for farmers. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.