Identification of early and mid-late maturing sugarcane varieties for western region of Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted during 2016-17 and 2017-18 crop seasons with twenty test clones viz., Co 0238, Co 0240, Co 06031, Co 09004, Co 11015, Co 13001, Co 13003, Co 13006, Co 13014, Co 13018, Co 13020, Co 13021, Co 14008, Co 14016, Co 14026, Co 15005, Co 15007, Co 15021, Co 16001 and Co 16002 along with three standards viz., Co 86032, Co 0212 and Co 06030 at Ponni Sugar Ltd, Odapalley. On the basis of pooled mean of two plant crop trials and a ratoon trial, clones such as Co 09004, Co 11015, Co 16002 and Co 13001 were identified as early high sucrose clones suitable for early crushing. These clones may be used as potential donors in the hybridization programme for transferring extra earliness and high sucrose trait in high yielding commercial varieties. Based on juice quality characteristics at 300 days and 360 days Co 15007 was identified as mid-late maturing clones. The ratoon performance of Co 14016 was excellent. Co 14016 which recorded significantly higher cane yield (184.72 t/ha) and sugar yield (23.17 t/ha) than the standard Co 86032 (134.02 and 17.73 t/ha respectively) may be used as a parental source for crossing with extra early maturing varieties to improve cane yield and ratoon performance. On the basis of the cane yield and sugar yield at harvest, Co 13014 and Co 15007 were found better than Co 86032. Based on the juice quality traits, Co 15005 and Co 15007 were identified as typical mid-late clones. The variety Co 11015 registered 6.79, 7.56 and 7.02 per cent improvement in sucrose % at 240, 300 and 360 DAP, respectively over Co 86032 which is a remarkable improvement in sugarcane. The mean CCS yield (19.27 t/ha) of Co 11015 was at par with that of the standard Co 86032 (20.54). Therefore, large scale cultivation of this extra early high sugar variety Co 11015 in the north-western region of Tamil Nadu is suggested for improving sugar recovery and profit of the farmers.