Genetic correlations in some RB clones and the varieties of cane sugar

Abstract

The aim of this study was to estimate the variability and the genetic correlations between clones RB and the varieties of cane sugar. The experimental  works were carried out during the 2005/2006 agricultural year in Central Olho D’Água Sugar Mill (North Forest of Pernambuco, Brazil) and Trapiche (South Coast of Pernambuco, Brazil). The experimental design was made in randomized blocks with four blocks and different treatments, one with sixteen genotypes conducted in North Forest, and another with eighteen other genotypes installed on the South Coast. The following characters were defined as production components: average culms number, average culms diameter, average culms weight, average internodes number, average culms height and average leaf area. Results indicated that the genetic variability in genotypes populations and the commercial varieties tested in the North Forest and South Coast of Pernambuco, can be effective in selecting genotypes through leaf area, and culms height and weight; determining characteristics of the production of sugarcane. The number of culms is negatively associated with culms diameter, height and weight, the number of internodes and the leaf area, thus preventing the simultaneous or indirect selection between the characters pairs.