Sugarcane Research Institute Research Articles

UNLOCKING COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL: CPF 249, A MEDIUM-MATURING SUGARCANE VARIETY FOR PUNJAB

The substantial growth of sugar industry and the need to ensure national food security entail the extension of crushing season for sugar mills in Punjab by introducing medium and late maturing sugarcane varieties. The variety CPF 249 is a cross of CP 87-1628 × CP 84-1198, was developed from fuzz imported in 2002 from the Sugarcane Station in Canal Point, USA, and subsequently grown at the Sugarcane Research Institute, Faisalabad. Following successful initial selection, CPF 249 underwent four years of testing in preliminary, semi-final, and final varietal trials from 2008 to 2012. This medium-maturing variety demonstrates high tonnage and superior sugar recovery compared to other medium-maturing varieties such as CPF 247, SPF 245, and HSF 240. Furthermore, CPF 249 exhibits resistance diseases and insect pests, positioning it as an excellent alternative to SPF 245, SPF 234, and HSF 240 throughout Punjab. Economically, it offers a significant advantage, yielding an additional profit of Rs. 223,000 over SPF 245, Rs. 138,000 over HSF 240, and Rs. 54,000 per hectare compared to other local checks.

Association study of yield and its component traits in sugarcane seedlings

An experiment was carried out to investigate the relationship between specific quantitative characters and sugarcane yield at the Sugarcane Research Institute, Pusa, Bihar, in February 2022. Thirty sugarcane seedlings obtained from three different crosses along with check were subjected to estimation trait association by correlation and path analyses. Cane yield showed strong positive and highly significant correlation with single cane weight, number of millable canes per clump and brix percent at 12th month. There was also positive significant correlation of number of shoots per clump with cane yield. Path analysis revealed the highest positive direct effect of brix percent at 12th month on cane yield followed by brix percent at 10th month and cane diameter. However, number of shoots per clump had considerable negative direct effects and indirect positive effects through single cane weight and number of millable canes per clump on cane yield. The traits that provide considerable positive correlation and positive direct effects to cane yield could be used as selection indices for yield improvement in for further clonal generations.

Variability Studies of Various Traits and Selection of Water Logging Tolerant Clones in Early Generation

An experiment was carried out in January, 2021–December, 22 at Sugarcane Research Institute, Dr. RPCAU, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar, India to screen the genotypes for tolerance to water-logging from July to September in the early clonal generation of sugarcane. The experimental design followed was augmented design, in which a total of 24 clones were planted together with 2 checks. The degree of genetic variability present in the base population and the heritability of the traits being improved will be key factors in any breeding programme success. For all of the observations, the analysis of variance indicated highly significant differences among the clones. The range of variation in mean value was comparatively wide for number of shoots at 120 DAP, plant height, number of millable canes and cane yield. The traits cane yield and sucrose content play a crucial role in selecting the appropriate clones. Thus, from the studies the clone CoX 20069 recorded the highest mean performance for cane yield. Whereas the genotype CoX 20068 showed the highest mean performance for HR Brix in November, December and January. Based on the brix value, cane yield and morphological performance eight clones namely CoX 20069, CoX 20068, CoX 20055, X 20030, X 20035, CoX 20054, CoX 20056, CoX 20246 can be selected for further utilization in breeding programme under water- logging condition. All the clones in the present study had non-flowering and non-lodging morphological behaviour.

Theory to practice: a success in breeding sugarcane variety YZ08-1609 known as the King of Sugar.

Sugarcane, a significant cash crop in tropical and subtropical regions, contributes to 80% of sugar production and 40% of bioethanol production in the world. It is a key sugar crop, accounting for 85% of sugar production in China. Developing new varieties with high yield, high sugar, and better stress resistance is crucial for the sustainable growth of sugar industry. Hybrid breeding is the most widely used and effective method, with over 98% of Chinese sugarcane varieties resulting from this approach. Over the past two decades, Chinese breeders have developed the theory of high-heterogeneous composite high-sugar breeding, leading to the successful breeding of the fifth-generation sugarcane varieties. Among them, YZ08-1609, a complex hybrid of Saccharum spp., was developed by Sugarcane Research Institute (YSRI) of Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences. The average cane yield of YZ08-1609 was 14.4% higher than ROC22. It is highly resistant to mosaic disease, and highly tolerant to drought stress, but moderately susceptible to smut disease. Notably, YZ08-1609 stands out with a sucrose content of 20.3%, setting an international record, earning the reputation as "King of Sugar". To summarize experience and inspire breeding, we provided here the detailed insights into the selection of parents, breeding process, and characteristics of YZ08-1609. Besides, the biological mechanisms underlying its high yield and high sugar was excavated at both transcriptional and metabolic levels. The challenges and prospects in breeding sugarcane varieties especially with high sugar were also discussed, offering a foundation for the future development of high-sugar varieties.

Productivity, water use efficiency and soil properties of sugarcane as influenced by trash mulching and irrigation regimes under different planting systems in sandy loam soils

IntroductionIn the era of climate change, sugarcane used to face a problem associated with water shortage due to erratic rainfall patterns and lowered water tables. Improved water use efficiency using innovative crop management strategy is needed for sustainable sugarcane production. Trash mulching with different irrigation regimes can effectively modify the plant's hydrothermal micro-environment for increasing cane yield and water productivity.MethodsKeeping this in the background, a field experiment was conducted at Sugarcane Research Institute, RPCAU, Pusa, India, from 2016–17 to 2018–19 to investigate the effects of trash mulching and irrigation regimes on sugarcane productivity, water use efficiency (WUE) and soil properties in different planting systems. The field experiment comprised 12 treatments including four planting methods viz. conventional flat planting (CF; 75 cm row spacing) with trash mulching (6 t ha−1), CF planting (75 cm row spacing) without trash mulching (6 t ha−1), paired row trench (PT) planting (30: 120 cm row spacing) with trash mulching (6 t ha−1), PT planting (30: 120 cm row spacing) without trash mulching (6 t ha−1) and three irrigation schedules consisted of irrigation water (IW); cumulative pan evaporation (CPE) ratio of 0.60, 0.80, and 1.00 was laid out in strip plot design with three replications.Results and discussionThe cane yield (103.5 t ha−1) was found significantly higher in PT planting with trash mulching over the CF planting method with or without mulching. Concerning irrigation regimes using the IW/CPE ratio, it was found that the IW/CPE of 0.6 resulted in 16.9, 13.3% higher water-use efficiency, and 37.1, 40.7% higher water productivity over those under IW/CPE of 0.8, and 1.00, respectively. Furthermore, soil parameters like soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) and dehydrogenase activity were increased by 12.5, and 17.5 % due to trash mulching with trench planting as compared to those under conventional flat planting without mulching. The results suggest that planting sugarcane in paired rows and irrigation scheduling at 1.00 IW/CPE with the adoption of trash mulching practices is effective for increasing profitability by way of higher sugarcane productivity and water productivity and also in sustaining soil health.

Evaluation of Sugarcane varieties against Pokkah boeng disease, role of meteorological factors and its management

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is widely grown as cash crop in India and provides employment to over a million of people directly or indirectly. Recently, increasing trends of Pokkah boeng disease caused by (Fusarium proliferatum) incidence were noticed in most of the sugarcane varieties grown in Bihar which ranged between 5-15%. A field trial was conducted during 2016-2018 at sugarcane research Institute farm, RPCAU, Pusa. In this study, thirty one sugarcane varieties were evaluated against Pokkah boeng disease, out of thirty one sugarcane varieties evaluated against Pokkah boeng disease, sixteen varieties showed resistant, ten varieties showed moderately susceptible while, four varieties were graded as susceptible to Pokkah boeng disease. The correlation analysis between meteorological factors and disease incidence signify that minimum temprature showed significant positive correlation whereas, relative humidity of 07 hrs, 14 hrs. and rainfall showed highly positive correlation while, sunshine displayed significant but statistically was negative relationship with Pokkah boeng disease incidence. Sett treatment with fungicide Carbendazim @ 0.1% and three foliar sprays with Carbendazim @ 0.1% at 15 days intervals revealed that highest germination and maximum control of disease incidence in all the tested varieties.

Precise macronutrient application can improve cane yield and nutrient uptake in widely spaced plant-ratoon cycles in the Indo-Gangetic plains of India

IntroductionSugarcane is a long-duration and nutrient-exhaustive crop. To improve nutrient use efficiency, the 4R nutrient stewardship approach comprises applying nutrients at the right time and place with the right method and at the right proportion. Improper nutrient management in such a nutrient-exhaustive crop will result in various nutrient losses and environmental pollution.MethodsConcerning this, a field study was performed on calcareous soils of the lower Indo-Gangetic plains of India during two subsequent years at the Sugarcane Research Institute, RPCAU, India, to explore the effect of precise application of macronutrients (N and K) in different methods of applications. The application methods (broadcasting and band application) were maintained in the main plot, and split N and K applications were put in the subplots.Results and DiscussionA highly significant difference was observed in the numbers of millable cane, cane, and sugar yield under the split applications of fertilizer. The decline in millable cane numbers, cane, and sugar yield due to the broadcasting method was to the tune of 17.5 and 17.6%, 14.8 and 17.1%, and 14.7 and 15.8% in plant and ratoon crops, respectively as compared to band placement of the fertilizers. Yield increased by 16.0 and 15.1% under plant and ratoon crops, respectively, with seven split applications of N and K compared to the control (two split of N and no split application of K). Band placement of N and K fertilizers markedly improved the nitrogen uptake (284.1 and 287.3 kg ha−1, in plant and ratoon, respectively) and phosphorus uptake (34.9 and 28.3 kg ha−1 in plant and ratoon, respectively) when compared to broadcasting. Application of N and K in seven splits resulted in better availability of nutrients in the soil, thereby facilitating the higher NPK uptake by the plants and ratoon both comparing two split applications of N and no splitting of K. From this study, it was observed that the band placement coupled with seven splitting of N and K is the best fertilizer application protocol, ensuring higher growth, yield, quality, and nutrient uptake of sugarcane in the calcareous soils of the Indo-Gangetic plains.

Performance of new early genotypes of sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid complex) as influenced by row spacing

Field experiment was conducted during 2017-18 at Sugarcane Research Institute, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar to study the effect of row spacing on yield and quality of early maturing sugarcane genotypes. Treatment included two row spacing (90 and 120 cm) and five genotypes viz., ‘CoLk 12207’, ‘CoP 12436’, ‘CoSe 12451’, ‘BO 130’ and ‘CoSe 95422’. Significantly higher plant population, leaf area index (4.18), dry matter accumulation (34.8 t/ ha) and millable canes (126, 200/ ha) were recorded with 90 cm row spacing gave significantly highest cane (96.2 t/ ha) and sugar yield (11.6 t/ ha). Results showed that genotype CoSe 95422 superseded other genotypes in growth and yield attributing characters. Maximum cane yield (104.4 t/ ha) was noticed due to the genotypes CoSe 95422. However, maximum brix (20.3%), pol (18.13%) and CCS percent (12.60%) were noted with the genotype CoLk 12207 which was statistically similar to BO 130. Significantly higher sugar yield (12.4 t/ha) was obtained with the genotype CoSe 95422 which was statistically comparable to CoLk 12207 and CoSe 12451.

Sugarcane cultivar genetic gains for coastal agro-ecological regions of South Africa

Cultivar genetic gains quantify the increase in productivity from release of cultivars and measure genetic improvements from plant breeding. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the genetic gains from sugarcane coastal cultivars and evaluate their contribution to productivity. Data were derived from replicated plant breeding and post-release variety evaluation trials conducted by the South Africa Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI) from 1996 to 2020. There were significant cultivar differences for cane yield, sucrose content, sugar yield, fibre % and purity %. Significant analyses of cultivar by location, cultivar by crop-year and cultivar by location by crop-year indicate further optimisation of cultivar disposition is needed to increase productivity. Cultivar genetic gains were found for cane yield (0.19–0.48 t ha−1), sucrose content (0.01–0.02%), sugar yield (0.03–0.07 t ha−1 per year), fibre % cane (0.04–0.06%) and purity % (0.02–0.04%), highlighting the increased yield and quality from genetic improvement. The best cultivars produced 8–22% higher sugar yields than popular cultivars indicating that planting high yield cultivars did increase yields. Sugar cane production declined at a slower rate than area planted, also showing the benefit of high yield cultivars. Increasing the area planted to new, higher yielding cultivars will increase sugar yields for coastal regions of South Africa.

Response of Sugarcane to Varying Nitrogen Rate and Application Timings Under Semi-Arid Climate

To enhance crop yields, nitrogen is one of essential basic nutritional elements that enable any plant to withstand in stressful conditions. An experiment was carried out to investigate the impact of N rates and its application timings on growth, development and sugarcane yield at farm area of Sugarcane Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan for two consecutive crop seasons (spring 2014 and 2015). Four Nitrogen (N) rates viz.170, 227, 284 and 341 kg ha-1were applied at four different application schedules i.e. T1= 45-75-90 days after planting (DAP); T2= 45-75-90-120 DAP;T3= 45-75-90-120-150 DAP and T4= 45-75-90-120-150-180 DAP, in RCBD having three replications. The results revealed that the treatments significantly affected quantitative traits like tillers plant-1, cane girth, millable count, cane and sugar yield and growth parameters like leaf area index (LAI), leaf area duration (LAD), seasonal total dry matter accumulation (TDM) and seasonal crop growth rate (CGR). Interactive effect of treatments was also significant for cane girth, number of millable canes and LAD. Treatments did not affect cane length significantly during the course of study. Growth traits viz. LAI, LAD and CGR showed improvement by higher N application and the highest values were observed when N was applied late in the season in six splits. A close positive linear relationship was noticed between cane yield and dose & time of N application. It may be concluded from the present study that splitting of nitrogen till 180 days after planting at higher rates (upto 341 kg ha-1) can improve cane and sugar yield of spring planted sugarcane crop under semi-arid climatic conditions

Evaluating the effect of sugarcane planting methods on growth and radiation use efficiency of its different varieties

To examine the growth and radiation use efficiency (RUE) of different sugarcane cultivars (HSF 240, CP 77-400 & CPF 249) under two planting methods (2.5 feet apart single row, a farmers’ practice, and 4 feet apart dual rows deep trench plantings, a recommended practice) at Research Farm of Sugarcane Research Institute (SRI), Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI), Faisalabad during 2019-20. The experiment was carried out in randomized complete block design with split-plot arrangement in three repeats. The results showed maximum dry matter (3348.24 g m-2), CGR (21.49 g m-2 day-1), mean CGR (12.78 g m-2 day-1), LAI (7.81), leaf area duration (1290.32 days), along with radiation use efficiency for total dry matter (2.16 g MJ-1) and cane yield (6.32 g MJ-1) in 4 feet apart dual rows trench planting in comparison to 2.5 feet apart single row trench planting, 2.08 g MJ-1 and 5.70 g MJ-1, respectively. On the other hand, higher dry matter (3451.42 g m-2), CGR (21.54 g m-2 day-1), mean CGR (13.16 g m-2 day-1), LAI (8.01), LAD (1324.58 days), RUE for dry matter production (2.20 g MJ-1) and cane yield (6.53 g MJ-1) was recorded in variety CP 77-400, a direct introduction to SRI, as compared with local material, HSF 240 and CPF 249 and occupying large area in whole Punjab-Pakistan.

EFFECT OF PLANTING AND BUD PLACEMENT POSITION ON AGRONOMICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL TRAITS OF SUGARCANE (SACCHARUM OFFICINARUM L.)

Different planting techniques influence the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of sugarcane. This study focused on the hypothesis that altering sett spacing and bud placement position significantly improves sugarcane yield and quality. The experiment was conducted during the periods, 2016–2017 and 2017–2018, under field conditions at the Sugarcane Research Institute, Agriculture Research Centre, Tandojam, Sindh, Pakistan. The sugarcane variety, PSTJ-41, was used for the study in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Spacing between setts included S1 = end to end, S2 = 15 cm, S3 = 22 cm, and S4 = 30 cm. Bud placement position consisted of B1= buds up and down, and B2 = buds faced to ridge. Analysis revealed that sett spacings and bud placement positions significantly (P<0.05) affected almost all the studied agronomical, physiological, and qualitative sugarcane traits. Enhanced sugarcane sprouting (%), crop growth rate (gm-2day-1), leaf area index, cane length (cm), internodes cane-1, millable canes (000 ha-1), Brix (%), commercial cane sugar (CCS %), and cane yield (t ha-1) were observed with setts plantation of a distance at 30 cm apart. In the case of bud position, B2 showed maximum growth, yield, and best quality attributes. The highest and desirable mean values of the various parameters were documented in the interaction of 30 cm sett spacings × buds faced to ridges regarding interactive effects.

Qualitative and quantitative response of sugarcane cultivars under different planting geometry

Planting geometry could be an important factor in harvesting sugarcane's maximum production in Pakistan's irrigated agriculture. Therefore, the present experiment was designed to investigate the potential effects of two planting geometry (i.e., 75 cm apart single row trench, farmers' practice, and 120 cm apart dual rows trench plantings, recommended practices by Agricultural Research Wing) on three high yielding cultivars of sugarcane (e.g., HSF 240, CP 77-400 and CPF 249) at farm area of Sugarcane Research Institute (SRI), Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI), Faisalabad during 2019-20. The treatments were randomized in Complete Block Design (CBD) under split-plot arrangements using three replications. The results showed that planting geometry of 120 cm apart dual rows trench planting produced significantly higher tillers (15.32 m-2), millable canes (103085 ha-1), total fresh biomass (123.41 t ha-1), average cane weight (0.95 kg) cane yield (97.94 t ha-1), and harvest index (79.29 %). Among the cultivars, the highest tillers (16.16 m-2) were recorded by HSF 240, but maximum millable canes (104195 ha-1), total fresh biomass (128.70 t ha-1), average cane weight (0.98 kg) and cane yield (101.95 t ha-1) were observed in CP 77-400. Furthermore, a higher sugar recovery (12.66%) was obtained from CPF 249 compared to HSF 240 and CP 77-400. Planting geometry had no impact on the sugar recovery of the cultivars

Evaluating the Hydraulic Performance of Emitters of Subsurface Drip Irrigation Systems in Sugarcane Cultivation in Iran

To ensure optimal operation of the drip irrigation systems, should be evaluated periodically. This research was designed to evaluate the technical and hydraulic evaluation of subsurface drip irrigation system in sugarcane plant in research station sugarcane research and training institute of Khuzestan during 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 growing season. For this study, four laterals were selected in experimental field (primary, one third and the last lateral) and four sections were determined on each laterals of the first, one third, two thirds and the last section. Then the volume of effluent water was measured for three minatory at any point measurement and evaluation system parameters were calculated. Results of the evaluation of the droplets in the laboratory showed that the Cv, Cu and Eu coefficient were 15, 90 and 84 percent and the values of the power x and the k coefficient in the discharge-pressure equation were, respectively, -0.043 and 2.41, respectively. Mean Cu, Eu, Vqs and Uqs during two growing seasons average, respectively 89.2, 87.8, 10.3 and 89.7 percent, that based on these results, system performance is generally in the range of well-placed Also, by measuring pressure at different points of the system in the middle of the second crop season, the ASAE assessment indicators Containing: Vqs, Uqs,Vhs and Vpf were respectively, 9, 91, 25 and 13 percent. System is considered to be relatively good and good in terms of the overall performance of the droplet and uniformity of distribution.

Predicting Canopy Chlorophyll Content in Sugarcane Crops Using Machine Learning Algorithms and Spectral Vegetation Indices Derived from UAV Multispectral Imagery

The use of satellite-based Remote Sensing (RS) is a well-developed field of research. RS techniques have been successfully utilized to evaluate the chlorophyll content for the monitoring of sugarcane crops. This research provides a new framework for inferring the chlorophyll content in sugarcane crops at the canopy level using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and spectral vegetation indices processed with multiple machine learning algorithms. Studies were conducted in a sugarcane field located in Sugarcane Research Institute (SRI, Uda Walawe, Sri Lanka), with various fertilizer applications over the entire growing season from 2020 to 2021. An UAV with multispectral camera was used to collect the aerial images to generate the vegetation indices. Ground measurements of leaf chlorophyll were used as indications for fertilizer status in the sugarcane field. Different machine learning (ML) algorithms were used ground-truthing data of chlorophyll content and spectral vegetation indices to forecast sugarcane chlorophyll content. Several machine learning algorithms such as MLR, RF, DT, SVR, XGB, KNN and ANN were applied in two ways: before feature selection (BFS) by training the algorithms with all twenty-four (24) vegetation indices with five (05) spectral bands and after feature selection (AFS) by training algorithms with fifteen (15) vegetation indices. All the algorithms with both BFS and AFS methods were compared with an estimated coefficient of determination (R2) and root mean square error (RMSE). Spectral indices such as RVI and DVI were shown to be the most reliable indices for estimating chlorophyll content in sugarcane fields, with coefficients of determination (R2) of 0.94 and 0.93, respectively. XGB model shows the highest validation score (R2) and lowest RMSE in both methods of BFS (0.96 and 0.14) and AFS (0.98 and 0.78), respectively. However, KNN and SVR algorithms show the lowest validation accuracy than other models. According to the results, the AFS validation score is higher than BFS in MLR, SVR, XGB and KNN. Even though, validation score of the ANN model is decreased in AFS. The findings demonstrated that the use of multispectral UAV could be utilized to estimate chlorophyll content and measure crop health status over a larger sugarcane field. This methodology will aid in real-time crop nutrition management in sugarcane plantations by reducing the need for conventional measurement of sugarcane chlorophyll content.

Effect of Installation Depths and Emitter Spacing on Water Productivity and Yield of a Subsurface Drip Irrigated Sugarcane

In the present investigation the effect of drip lateral installation depths and emitter spacing on sugarcane crop water productivity and yield was studied by installing laterals at 15, 20 and 30 cm depths from surface, while the emitters were spaced at 50, 60 and 75 cm. A factorial experiment in the form of randomized complete block design was carried out at the Sugarcane Research and Training Institute of Khuzestan in South-West of Iran. Sugarcane quantity specifications results showed there was significant difference between treatments in terms of drip emitter spacing and lateral installation depths and their interactions at 1% probability level. Similar trends were also observed in case of quality traits of sugarcane. Investigating the water productivity index for sugarcane and sugar yield it showed that treatments were significant in terms of the space between emitters at 1% probability level. The maximum sugarcane yield was observed in the treatment with a space between emitters of 50 cm, and 20 cm of installation depth. At 60 cm space the emitters of 60 cm and the installation depth of application of 20 cm, the highest water productivity was obtained, reaching 7.18 and 0.87 kg/m3 for produced sugarcane and sugar respectively.

English

Resistance of sugarcane varieties to red rot disease is essential for their successful commercial cultivation in Pakistan. Evaluation of sugarcane germplasm for red rot resistance is a basic component of the varietal development system in Punjab. The studies on varietal screening against red rot disease of exotic sugarcane germplasm were conducted at the research farm of the Sugarcane Research Institute, Faisalabad from 2008–2009 to 2010–2011. The screening test was carried out at different varietal development stages including sugarcane nursery-2, nursery-3, semi-final varietal trial, final varietal trial and National Uniform Yield Trial by using plug method of inoculation. In three years, 724 sugarcane genotypes were examined in screening test against red rot disease, which were developed from germplasm (fuzz), imported from different sugarcane breeding organizations of the world. Fuzz is a true seed of sugarcane used to develop new sugarcane variety(ies) through repeated selection in any varietal development program. The results of three years experimentation revealed that 425 genotypes were resistant, 141 moderately resistant, 48 moderately susceptible and 110 susceptible to red rot disease. It was also concluded that sugarcane germplasm belongs to the USA, proved to be superior for resistance to red rot disease with 91% genotypes followed by Brazil and Australia with 86 and 68% genotypes, respectively, which were classified in resistant and moderately resistant category. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers

SCREENING OF SUGARCANE CLONES UNDER ZONAL YIELD TRIALS III, II, I AND ADVANCED YIELD TRIALS AGAINST SMUT DISEASE (USTALIGO SCITAMINEA) IN PLANT CANE

A field trial was conducted on sugarcane genotype /clones against sugarcane smut disease (Ustilago Scitaminea) at Bangladesh sugarcane Research Institute (BSRI) farm, Ishurdi, Pubna during the cropping season 2010 -11 for plant cane. Forty-seven clones were inoculated by I g smut teliospore/liter of water equivalent to 105 -106 spore /ml, for 30 minutes mixed with tween 20 for the inoculation of smut spore by dipping method. Among them 32 clones were (R) resistant ,6 Clones were (MR) moderately Resistant, 6 were (MS) Moderately susceptible,2 were (S) Susceptible and only one clone 15-08 highly susceptible found to sugarcane smut disease.

General and specific combining ability for cane yield and implications for sugarcane breeding

AbstractGeneral combining ability (GCA) referencing additive genetic effects and specific combining ability (SCA) referencing nonadditive effects have been applied for decades in maize (Zea mays L.) breeding and other crops to produce greater genetic gains in crop breeding. This study examined the magnitude of GCA and SCA for cane yield and evaluated potential for application in sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) breeding. Data were collected from unselected first‐stage breeding populations sourced from the irrigated, midlands (high‐altitude), and coastal breeding programs of the South African Sugarcane Research Institute. Cane yield data calculated from number of stalks, stalk height, and stalk diameter was analyzed using best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) analysis where female and male effects (GCA) and female × male interaction effects (SCA) were defined as random effects. There were significant (P < .05) female but nonsignificant male effects. Female × male interaction was highly significant (P < .001) and larger than both female and male effects, indicating higher SCA than GCA. Specific combining ability variance was 24% (midlands), 31% (coastal), and 57% (irrigated) higher than GCA. Genotypes with low GCA produced higher SCA. Crosses from parents originating from different breeding backgrounds produced higher SCA than those from the same backgrounds. Crosses with significant SCA produced 24–42% greater cane yield than those with nonsignificant SCA. Using GCA to develop parents with high breeding values and SCA to evaluate parent cross combinations will maximize exploitation of heterosis in sugarcane breeding. The results suggest the possibility to develop heterotic groups that are diverse and complementary as a strategy to optimize utilization of SCA.

Optimizing Seed Rates and Effects of Direct and Indirect Selection Indices in Sugarcane Crop

Background: Under current scenario of High cost of Production of Sugarcane crop, it is need of time to decide specific seed rate for individual varieties. Sugarcane seed contributes to 10-20% of cost of production and farmers invests about Rs. 20000/- per acre on planting material. The costs of seed can be curtailed by optimizing seed rate. Similarly, seed rate varies with different varieties. In this view, a field experiment was carried out to optimize the seed rate of promising sugarcane clones.Methods: A field experiment was carried using randomized complete block design with factorial arrangements having three replications at Sugarcane Research Institute, Faisalabad during 2016-17 and 2017-18. Result: The results revealed that maximum cane diameter was recorded for S2008-AUS-133 at seed rate of 25000 and 50000 triple budded setts/ha. However; maximum number of canes/ha were recorded for S2008-AUS-133 at seed rate of 75000 setts/ha followed by HSF-240 at 75000 setts/ha. Maximum cane yield was noted for HSF-240 at seed rate of 75000 followed by S2008-AUS-133 at seed rate of 50000 and lowest can yield was recorded in S2003-US-127 at seed rate of 25000 triple budded setts/ha. Genotypic and phenotypic variances were higher for plant height (381.63, 133.91 cm) and cane yield (406.50, 330.65 kg/plot).Genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variances were moderate for number of tillers (11.6%, 15.44%) and higher for cane yield (20.24%, 22.44%). It means that variability in 4 genotypes for cane yield was higher. Thus variety S2008-AUS-133 showed better performance at seed rate 75000 while during selection, number of tillers and height should be considered for further breeding program.