Variability, heritability and genetic advance in sugarcane ( Saccharum spp. hybrid) genotypes

Abstract

The study was carried out with the aim of estimating variability, heritability, and genetic advance for 196 sugarcane genotypes. Results of the analysis of variance identified a very highly significant variation among the genotypes in all the traits evaluated. Except for stalk length and single cane weight, all of the traits’ lowest and highest mean values were present within the genotypes from fuzz, indicating the wide ranges of variability within the genotypes. Except for single cane weight, the highest mean values for all the traits were seen within the genotypes of fuzz, implying greater genetic potential for the genotypes of fuzz for these traits. The number of sprouted buds, number of tillers, and cane yield had high genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation, heritability, and genetic advance as a percentage of the mean. This indicates the presence of high levels of heritable genetic variations for these traits, implying that these traits could be improved through phenotypic selection. The number of stalks, plant height, stalk length, internode length, stalk diameter, single cane weight, brix, and purity had high to moderate heritability with moderate to low genetic advance as percentages of the means. This indicates that the phenotypic expression of these traits is highly influenced by non-genetic factors. Thus, it could be difficult to directly improve these traits via phenotypic selection; instead, efforts should be directed toward better management practices. This study presents the first evidence for the existence of variability in the newly introduced sugarcane genotypes that should be exploited.