Evaluation of early maturing sugarcane (Saccharum spp. complex) clones for sugar yield and its contributing traits and stability

Sugarcane cultivation is targeted with early varieties having stable higher CCS (commercial cane sugar) yield potential. Therefore, studies were made on 18 traits over three years (2016-19) with seven genotypes at Regional Research Station, PAU, Faridkot. Different multivariate statistical techniques were used for assessing the potential of CCS contributing traits and clonal stability. The observed significant differences due to varieties, years and their interactions were self explaining the role of genotypic differences and weather factors. Cane yield t/ha (CY), CCS t/ha (CCS.T) and their contributing traits were positively loaded on different axes in principal component analyses (PCA). Single cane weight (SCW) was observed to be the primary contributing trait for CY; while brix % and sucrose % for CCS %, and CY for CCS.T were the major contributing traits. CoPb 13181 was observed the most suitable clone for the region. Further, Eberhart & Russell’s model was found more appropriate for judging the genotype(s) to environment specificity while “GGE Biplot” was best to evaluate the environments for their discriminating power to genotypes.