Studies on variability and character association in sugarcane (Saccharum spp ) under rainfed condition of North Eastern India

Abstract

An investigation was conducted at the Sugarcane Research Station, Buralikson (Assam), India during 2008-2009 and 2010-2011 for studying variability and correlation in thirty one early sugarcane (Saccharum spp) clones for yield, yield components and quality characters under the rainfed condition of Assam. The studies revealed moderate to high range of variation for germination (%), shoots number at 120 days, number of millable cane (000/ha), cane height (cm), single cane weight (kg), cane yield (t/ha) and commercial cane sugar (t/ha). The variation was low for cane diameter and quality characters. The characters showing high genotypic and phenotypic variance, genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation, heritability with high genetic advance were number of millable cane, cane height and single cane weight. The characters showing high and significant correlation with cane yield were number of millable cane, germination (rg = 0.64*), shoot count, cane height and single cane weight. Hence, these characters must be given importance while selecting sugarcane clones for improvement in yield. The sugar recovery had high and significant correlation with field brix and sucrose (rg = 0.64*). Hence these two characters must be given importance for improvement in sugar recovery.