Performance of elite cultivars of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) under water deficit conditions

Abstract

The frequency of occurrence of drought stress in tropical world is highly unpredictable and its severity leads to moderate to heavy yield losses including crop failure. The most effective and economical way of drought management strategies is the development and utilization of drought resistant varieties. The present study was conducted to evaluate the response of 1210 elite sugarcane clones (1068 Co canes bred at Coimbatore, 20 Co allied varieties, 32 foreign commercial hybrids and 90 interspecific hybrids of commercial value) to water deficit stress in order to identify potential drought resistant clones and the traits that are more reliable for screening for drought resistance. These clones were planted in December 2003 in single rows of 3 metre length spaced 90 cm apart with normal seed rate. Recommended package of practices except irrigation was followed during the period under evaluation.