Drought resilience evaluation of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) hybrids in Indian tropical and sub-tropical climates

Abstract

Drought is an important limiting factor for cane production globally, imposing significant constraints on cultivation. In this study, we have evaluated eleven sugarcane hybrids with improved germplasm bases of S. officinarum, and S.robustum under both drought and normal conditions at tropical and sub-tropical region. Combined analysis of variance revealed highly significant effects (p < 0.05) of environments, genotypes and G × E interaction for all studied traits. Severe drought stress was observed in both locations, with a reduction in cane yield and its related traits. GGE analysis under stress conditions indicated that clone 14–90 (G8), a high yielder, performed well in all eight environments. Seven stable clones, namely, 14–161 (G1), 14–111 (G5), 14–90 (G8), 14–58 (G6), 14–34 (G9), 14–124 (G11) and 14–83 (G3) exhibiting adaptive yield-enhancing traits under drought were identified along with displaying resistance to red rot. Selected clones, namely, 14–161, 14–131, 14–90 and 14–144, performed better for yield in sub-tropics, while clones 14-–161, 14–111 and 14–90 performed better in the tropics. Clone 14–90 showcased, the strong performance across all the environments and locations, emerging as the leading genotype and suggested for utilization in pre-breeding programs for both tropical and sub-tropical regions