Selecting sugarcane genotypes (Saccharum spp.) according to sucrose accumulation

Abstract

The sucrose accumulation curve represents the maturity profile of a genotype (G). Computing the accumulation curves helps determine optimal harvesting period and explore genetic variability. However, curve variations attributable to the environment (E) and genotype by environment interaction (G × E) may hinder the selection process. In this work, we present a method to identify a group of accumulation curves with higher genetic variability than E variability. The methodology involves (i) parameters estimation of nonlinear models for fitting maturity curves, (ii) classification of accumulation curves according to maturity process parameters, and (iii) estimation of genetic contribution to intragroup variability for each accumulation curve parameter. Accumulation curves from nine genotypes, evaluated in different environments of Tucumán, Argentina, were used to rank genotypes according to sucrose accumulation profiles. The proposed methodology represents an approach not only for genotype selection, but also for scheduling harvest of released varieties. The selection has been implemented after analyzing Pol%cane; however, it can also be done using other variables associated with sucrose accumulation.