Sugarcane (Saccharum spp) variety evaluation for quantitative characters (Pure obtainable cane sugar, sucrose content and cane yield)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relative performance of fourteen promising newly developed varieties and three commercially grown cultivars (as control) for adaptability and suitability for growing in different climatic conditions in Fiji. All varieties were tested across five locations that represented different soil types and climatic conditions where sugarcane is grown in Fiji to identify varieties that could be widely adapted and provide stable cane and sugar yield when released for cultivation. The presence of genotype x environment interactions complicates selection when the relative ranking of genotypes changes from one location to another particularly for the desired traits such as cane yield (tons cane per hectare - tch) and sugar yield (tons sugar per hectare - tsh). The positive interpretation of varieties x locations interactions implies developing cultivars for their environments rather than modifying the environment to fit new cultivars. Most of the selection work in breeding programs is carried out under uniform and favourable conditions with high inputs and cultivars developed under these conditions are not likely to perform well in all environments. Therefore varieties, based on their interaction with location were identified to be released for specific climatic conditions. The performance of the promising varieties over locations was highly significant (ANOVA) and this was reflected by the change in ranks of pure obtainable cane sugar (pocs), tch and tsh of varieties at different locations.