GENETIC DIVERGENCE OF SUGAR YIELD CONTRIBUTING CHARACTERS IN SACCHARUM ROBUSTUM BRANDES ET JESWIET EX GRASSL.

Abstract

Fifty one flowering clones of Saccharum robustum were evaluated for yield and quality parameters to study the pattern of genetic divergence using Mahalanobis'D2 statistics.The clones weregrouped into eleven clusters. Cluster IVwas the mostdivergent. Cluster IX was the most distant from the other clusters. Cluster means indicated that cluster VI was the best for cane yield. but was poor for quality, while cluster IX was the best ~or quality and was poor for cane yield. Crossing S. rob",tum clones from divergent clusters for intra-population improvement or hybridization of Fts evolved by crossing commercial hybrids or S. ojfidrtarum clones with S. robu,tum clones from divergent clusters to derive double Croll hybrids may pave way for enhancing variability so as to select progenies with high stalk yield and improved juice quality.