Identification of Promising Sugarcane Clones Based on Cane Yield and Quality Traits in First Clonal Selection Stage

Abstract

Sugarcane is a major source of sugar, facing constant pressure to enhance productivity due to the increased cost of cultivation and fluctuating global market prices. Identification of productive hybrid progenies for varietal development plays a crucial role in enhancing productivity, which is a cost-effective approach. In this context, an investigation was conducted to identify promising clones for cane yield and quality traits. Significantly higher estimates of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance were evident for all the traits except cane girth, Brix per cent in juice and sucrose content in juice. Correlation and path analysis revealed that the traits such as the number of millable canes per plot, single cane weight, sucrose content in juice and commercial cane sugar yield showed a significant positive association with cane yield. Among the 150 hybrid progenies studied, the clones SNK 180011, SNK 180028, SNK 180070, SNK 180662 and SNK 181126 are the most promising clones with high cane yield and sugar productivity features. These results hold significant importance for identifying promising clones to enhance cane and sugar productivity.