Study of selection parameters for different drought tolerance imparting Physio-biochemical traits in sugarcane (Saccharum Sp. complex)

Abstract

The aim of the present investigation was to estimate the selection parameters for Different Drought Tolerance Imparting Physio-Biochemical Traits in Sugarcane (Saccharum Sp. Complex). The Physio-Biochemical traits involved in study were days to germination, germination %, SPAD readings, Canopy temperature depression, relative water content, Chlorophyll pigments, proline content, leaf firing and drought tolerance capacity and the selection parameters estimated are mean, range, Phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV), Genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV), heritability and genetic advance over mean. The results obtained from the study reveals higher mean and wider range for all the traits especially for germination percent, SPAD 60, CTD 120, RWC percent, leaf firing, proline content and drought tolerance capacity. High degree of PCV with moderate GCV was observed for the traits like CTD 60, CTD 120, CTD 180, Total carotenoids, DTC, Chl a, Chl b, Total chlorophyll, Proline content, RWC % and Leaf firing. Heritability and genetic advance was recorded to high for CTD 60 (93.1 % & 66.240 %), CTD 120 (92.4 % & 77.616 %), CTD 180 (89.8 % & 65.020 %), Total carotenoids (68.755 %), Leaf firing (94.15 %), DTC (94.15 %), Chl a (54.564%), Chl b (70.529%), Total chlorophyll (31.059 %) and Proline content 64.790 %). On the basis of an overall consideration of the selection parameters it may be concluded that C1 clonal population have the potential source for improving the drought tolerance and its associated traits.