Genetic Variability Analysis of Early Maturing Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) Clones Using Morphological Characters

An investigation was undertaken to identify sugarcane clones suitable for the identification of early maturing genotypes for higher sugar yield at Research Farm of DRPCAU, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar in Randomized Block Design with three replications during spring season 2018-19. Variability, correlation, and path analysis in twelve early maturing clones of sugarcane for twenty-one different morphological and juice quality characters were studied in relation to the checks viz. CoLk94184 and CoSe95422. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences for all characters studied. Genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation was highest for Sugar yield (CCS) at harvest (t/ha) among the early maturing clones. The highest heritability was obtained for Brix at 8-month stage, Pol in juice at 8-month stage and Brix at 10-month stage. Genetic advance as per cent of mean was found to be highest in sugar yield (CCS) at harvest, cane yield and single cane weight indicating effectiveness of selection due to preponderance of additive gene action and breeder may consider these traits as main selection criteria.