Studies on genetic variability and association analysis for various morphological and quality traits in sugarcane (Saccharum spp.Complex) clones
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Date
2021-09
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CCSHAU, Hisar
Abstract
In present investigation, 50 sugarcane genotypes were evaluated in randomized block design with three replications at the research farm of CCS HAU, RRS, Uchani, Karnal during Spring 2020. This study was intended to determine genetic variability, correlation and path analysis for seventeen characters among fifty early maturing sugarcane clones. Analysis of variance showed that mean sum of squares due to genotypes were highly significant for all the characters studied, indicating the presence of sufficient genetic variability. Higher estimates of PCV than corresponding GCV, thereby, revealing that there is slight influence of environment on different traits. The narrow difference between the GCV and PCV values indicated the greater role of genetic factors on the expression of characters than the environmental factors. High heritability in association with high genetic advance as percentage of mean was observed for number of tillers at 120 DAP, number of shoots at 240 DAP, single cane weight, cane length, cane yield and CCS (t/ha) revealed importance of additive gene action and and selection for these characters will be effective for further improvement in cane yield. Cane yield showed significant and positive association with CCS (t/ha), single cane weight, cane girth, cane length, number of millable canes at harvest, number of tillers at 120 DAP and number of shoots at 240 DAP whereas, CCS (t/ha) exhibited positive and significant correlation with cane yield, single cane weight, cane girth, cane length, number of millable canes at harvest, number of tillers at 120 DAP, number of shoots at 240 DAP, brix % at 8th and 10th month, pol % at 8th month and CCS % at 8th month suggests that for improving cane yield and sucrose content direct selection of clones based on positively associated characters will be more fruitful while planning any sugarcane breeding programme. The results of path analysis disclosed that the characters viz., CCS % at 10th month, CCS (t/ha) ,CCS % at 8th month, brix % at 8th month, number of millable canes at harvest, single cane weight, cane girth and number of tillers at 120 DAP recorded positive direct effects on dependent variable i.e. cane yield and the other traits also showed their indirect positive effects on cane yield through these characters, indicating that these characters are the major contributing traits to cane yield in sugarcane. Some sugarcane clones viz. 15-365, 15-1305, 10-31 and 15-1784 were identified in present investigation. These were significantly or numerically superior over best check Co 0238 in terms of cane yield (t/ha), commercial cane sugar (t/ha), pol % at 10th month and CCS % at 10th month. These sugarcane clones needs to be rigorously tested in mutilocational trials to identify suitable genotype to sustain sugarcane productivity.