Excessive exploitation of petroleum-based plastics and synthetic fibers is harming the environment. This study isolated nano-fibrillated cellulose (NFC) from plant fiber (Agave americana). The as-extracted Agave fibers were chemically treated (alkali, bleaching, and acid hydrolysis coupled with ultrasonication). Functional and structural analysis were performed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The surface morphological changes and thermal decomposition behavior were studied by scanning electron microscopy and by thermogravimetry and derivative thermogravimetry, respectively. Fourier-transform infrared peaks confirmed the absence of lignin and hemicellulose in the NFC samples. X-ray diffraction data revealed that the crystallinity index increased from 50.1% to 64.1% from the raw fiber to the NFC. Thermogravimetry and derivative thermogravimetry showed that the stability increased notably from the raw fiber to the NFC stage. The average particle size was 18.2 nm ± 10.14 nm in the NFC sample, which was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy.

The field experiments were conducted at Sugarcane Research Station (TNAU), Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu and consist of four trials viz., Initial Varietal Trial (IVT), Advanced Varietal Trial - I plant (AVT- I plant), AVT- II plant and AVT-Ratoon. Initial varietal trial consists of eight test clones and three standards; in AVT I plant consist of five test clones and three standards, in AVT II plant and Ratoon, four entries and three standards. Observations were recorded for germination per cent (%), number of tillers (x1000/ha), number of millable cane (x1000/ha), stalk length (cm), stalk diameter (cm), single cane weight(kg) cane yield (t/ha), sucrose(%), CCS(%) and CCS yield (t/ha). The results revealed that, in Initial Varietal Trail, the clone CoC 13337 recorded higher CCS yield (17.92t/ha) followed by the clone CoC 13336 (17.25 t/ha). The Cane yield was maximum in the clone CoC 13337 (139.81 t/ha) followed by the clone CoC 13336 (134.26 t/ha). The sucrose per cent was maximum in the clone CoC 13337 (17.61%) followed by the clone CoC 13336 (17.57%). In AVT- I plant, the clone CoA 12322 recorded the higher cane yield (126.70 t/ha) followed by the clone CoA 12321 (123.23 t/ha) and CoA12323 (122.13 t/ha). The CCS yield was maximum in the clone CoA 12322 (15.92 t/ha) followed by the clone CoOr 12346. The CCS % was maximum in CoOr 12346 (12.75) followed by the standard CoC 01061. The clone CoOr 12346 recorded higher sucrose (17.87%) followed by standard CoC 01061 (17.74%). In AVT–II plant, clone CoC 11336 registered the higher cane yield (139.25t/ha) followed by the CoC 10336 (123.34 t/ha). The CCS yield was maximum in CoC 11336 (17.83 t/ha) followed by CoC 10336 (15.39 t/ha). The sucrose content was maximum in the clone CoC 11336 (17.62%) followed by CoC 01061 (17.48%). In AVT ratoon crop, among the test clones, clone CoC 11336 registered the higher cane yield (134.43t/ha) followed by the clone CoC 10336. The CCS yield was maximum in CoC 11336 (17.27t/ha) followed by CoA 11323. Hence, these promising clones in different trial could be advanced for further breeding programme for release as new sugarcane variety.

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of mid-late sugarcane pre-release clones for CCS yield and its contributing characters along with red rot disease resistance. Observation on brix per cent, sucrose (%), purity (%), extraction (%), fibre (%), CCS (%), cane yield (t/ha), and CCS yield (t/ha). From the results, it could be concluded that the mid-late maturing clone, CoC 14337, was found to be the best among the test clones for sucrose per cent and CCS yield along with resistance to red rot disease. Another clone, CoA 14323, was the next-best entry, with higher CCS yield, sucrose percent and red rot resistance, compared to the better standard. As a result, clones CoC 14337 and CoA 14323 were identified as the promising entries (clones) and could be forwarded for further yield evaluation trials before being released as a new sugarcane variety suitable for East Coast Zone of India.