Determination of components of variation in a set of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) genotypes

A set of 72 sugarcane genotypes was evaluated to assess the kind and magnitude of variation for agronomically desirable traits. The analysis of variance revealed that significant level of variability was present for all traits under observation viz. germination count, tiller count, number of millable canes, cane length, number of internodes, cane girth, single cane weight, cane yield, total soluble solids, sucrose content in juice, purity coefficient, commercial cane sugar and ethanol potential. The estimates of coefficient of variations indicated that traits like cane yield, commercial cane sugar, number of tillers, number of millable canes, single cane weight and commercial cane sugar had high genotypic coefficient of variation coupled with high heritability and high genetic advance. Also differences between phenotypic coefficient of variation and genotypic coefficient of variation were very small for these traits. Based on the results of coefficient of variation, heritability and genetic advance studies, it is suggested that these traits should be given due weightage at the time of selection for achieving the desired improvements in sugarcane breeding program.