INFLUENCE OF NOBLE AND COMMERCIAL HYBRID CLONES ON ECONOMIC TRAITS IN MOBILIZATION OF SACCHARUM SPECIES

Abstract

The effectiveness of Saccharum officinarum and commercial hybrid clones on three species, viz. S. barberi, S. robustum and S. spontaneum, during the second nobilization stage, was compared. Genotypic coefficients of variation of progenies of S. officinarum x Nt in six mating groups were higher to their respective commercial x Nt pro+es. Inversely, the mean performances and heritability estimates, in general, of progenies of commercial x N1 crosses were superior to the progenies involving noble clones. However, no such trend was observed for heterosis. Higher heterosis for all the three characters was observed only in (5. officinarum x S. Tobustum) XHybrid mating group. As the heritability values were quite high for sucrose per cent in comparison with other two traits, selection for this trait would be effective while selecting the parents for future breeding programmes.