Studies on genetic variability, heritability, genetic advances and association of yield contributing traits and their relation with yield in sugarcane

Abstract

The research work conducted at the Vasantdada Sugar Institute, Pune, total 21 sugarcane clonesassesses in two plant crops during the year 2022-2023 and 2023–2024 in randomized block design. The study focused on genetic variability, correlation and path analysis for nine morphological and qualitative traits. ANOVA results indicated highly significant differences among genotypes, confirming genetic diversity. The analysis revealed that the phenotypic coefficients of variation (PCV) was consistently higher than the genotypic coefficients of variation (GCV), suggesting a minimal environmental impact on trait expression. High heritability combined with substantial genetic advance as a percentage of mean was observed for traits such as millable height, sucrose percentage, single cane weight, CCS percentage, cane diameter, cane yield, and CCS (t/ha). This indicates a strong additive genetic influence on these traits. Positive associations with cane yield were found for characters, including the number of millable canes, single cane weight, tillering at 120 days, millable height, and cane diameter. Path analysis identified the number of millable canes, millable height, cane diameter, tillering at 120 days, and commercial cane sugar (t/ha) as having the largest positive direct effects on cane yield. These traits are recommended for use in future selection processes aimed at enhancing sugarcane production.