Investigation on variability, broad sensed heritability and genetic advance in Sugarcane (Saccharum spp)

A total of twelve exotic sugarcane clones was tested during 2003/04 and 2005/05 seasons in a randomized complete block design with four replicates at the Sugarcane Research Center Gunied (14 o 48 N), Sudan, to study variability parameters for cane yield and quality traits in plant cane and ratoon crop. Observations were recorded on cane yield components namely; number of millable cane, stalk height, stalk diameter, single stalk weight, cane yield and sugar yield per feddan. Pol (%), brix (%), sugar recovery (%), cane fiber (%) and juice purity% were considered for observations on quality traits. Ranges of variability for different characters were also assessed. Wide range of variation was observed for number of millable cane and stalk height where for quality traits, juice purity (%) had recorded maximum range in both plant cane and ratoon crops. Maximum genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation were exhibited by number of millable cane and single stalk weight in plant cane where in ratoon stage single stalk weight and sugar yield recorded highest value. Among quality characters lowest values for both coefficients were recorded by fiber (%) in both crops. Maximum values for heritability (%) along with high genetic advance (%) was recorded for number of millable cane whereas fiber % showed the minimum values for both characters across the two crops for these parameters, indicating the improvement of millable cane by means of straight selection is possible where for fiber (%) the improvement of this character is difficult. Juice purity (%) showed pronounced heritability and genetic advance in ratoon crop than in the plant cane, demonstrated the improvement of this trait during the ratoon crop.