EVALUATION OF SUGARCANE CLONES UNDER COASTAL CONDITIONS o-F ANDHRA PRADESH

Abstract

Two varieties, Co 6907 (early) and Co 7219 (mid-late) occupy major area under
sugarcane in Andhra Pradesh, particularly the coastal region. Co 6907 is a nonflowering
type under natural conditions and hence cannot be utilised in hybridisation
programmes, thus limiting the number oflocal varieties available for crossing. To
identify some promising early and mid-late types for future use in crossing
programmes, 50 canes mostly 1983 'Co' series alQngwith three standards, namely,
Co 6304, Co 7219 and Co 6907 were evaluated in arandomised block design with two
replications. The clones were planted in two row plots of 6m length spaced 80cm
apart. Twenty five three-budded setts were planted at equal distance in each row.
At 10 month crop stage, sample juice analysis was carried out to identify the elite
clones in comparison with the early standard Co 6907. The trial was harvested at
12 month crop stage and data on various cane yield and juice quality parameters
were recorded