Crop Effects on Genetic Relationships Among Sugarcane Traits

Abstract

Genetic correlations are commonly considered in the development of selection strategies. Previously reported correlations between sugarcane (Sacdmrum spp.) yield components may be of questionable value because they were obtained either from small populations or from a restricted range of environments. The effect of crop age on trait relationships has not been reported. Thistady's objective was to examine crop age effects on the geneticorrelations among sugarcane traits using path coefficient analysis. A population was planted in 1983 and 1984 at five locations in Louisiana. Harvest data were collected for three crops. Results indicated that cane yield (TCH) was the most important determinant of sucrose yield (SPH) and became increasingly important in determining the SPH in older ratoon crops (rsph,tchh = 0.91). Stalk number (SNO) was the primary determinant of TCH and became more important in determining TCH in older ratoon crops (rtch,sno = 0.77). Stalk diameter (DIA) was more important than stalk length (LEN) and stalk density (DEN) in affecting stalk weight (WT) regardless of crop age (rwt,dla = 0.70 vs. rwt,len = 0.52 and rwtden = 0.33). Brix and juice parity were highly correlated with sucrose content and with each other, and were not affected by crop age. The results indicated that selection for SPH should emphasize TCH with concentration on SNO, particularly in ratoon crops. The results also indicated that development of selection strategies of sugarcane should consider crop age in weighing the importance of yield components that affect SPH.

Energy Cane: Its Concept, Development, Characteristics, and Prospects

“…What is obvious is that S. spontaneum transmits the ability to produce high number of tillers [57,58,65], which is very important for biomass yield [66]. This is manifested not only in plant cane but also in ratoons [24,67].…”

Evaluating sugarcane families by the method of Dynamic Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (DTOPSIS)

“…A high-yielding commercial variety requires satisfactory stalk number, stalk diameter, and stalk length (Chang and Milligan, 1992). Stalk number is the most important component of cane yield (James, 1971;Milligan et al, 1990) and stalk diameter is a reliable trait for selection at seedling stage (James and Miller, 1971;Tai and Miller, 1989) and it is also important for hand harvesting practiced by farmers in some sugarcane regions. Because the crop was short on average (Table 3), the selection emphasized number of millable stalks and stalk diameter rather than plant height at seedling stage.…”

Correlation and path analysis between yield and different morphological characters in Kinnow Mandarin (C. Noballis × C. Deliciosa)

“…Path coefficient analysis, simply being a standardized partial regression coefficient, splits the correlation coefficient into the measures of direct and indirect effects (Dewey and Lu, 1959). Path analysis has widely been used by plant breeders to identify traits that are useful as selection criteria to improve yield (Milligan et al, 1990;Surek and Beser, 2003). Correlation coefficients between yield and yield components and direct and indirect effects of various plant characters on yield and yield components have been reported by Muhammad et al (2002); Atta et al (2008) and Padmavathi et al (2013).…”