ARS | Publication request: BREEDING STUDIES OF THE DWARF, MULTIPLE BUD, AND RED LEAF MUTANTS OF SUGARCANE.

Submitted to: American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: April 3, 1997
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Mutants are the foundation of genetic variation without which the identification, isolation, and analysis of genes would be impossible. There are no registered mutants of sugarcane, which further hinders genetic analysis of this high-level, complex polyploid. We are evaluating the morphology and inheritance of mutants (dwarf, multiple bud, and red leaf) with the objective of registering the mutants as genetic stocks. Two dwar clones were developed from callus culture of the sugarcane variety LCP 83- 137. Segregation analysis of two crosses (70 progeny) in which dwarf was the female parent showed that the trait was qualitatively transmitted at a ratio of about 1 dwarf : 2 normal. Multiple bud could reduce seed cane requirements, thus it is a trait with potential agronomic value. We evaluated 1800 progeny from 19 crosses in which one parent was multiple bud. Multiple bud was transmitted at low frequency - only 40 progeny (2%) expressed the trait. Thus, transfer of the multiple bud trait to a sugarcane cultivar would be difficult. Red leaf mutants were progeny of CP 55-30 RL, an extinct, red-leaved variant of the cultivar CP 55-30. Segregation analysis of seven crosses having a red-leaved parent (813 progeny) were in the ratio of 1 strong red leaf : 1 weak red leaf : 2 green progeny. The mutants may be useful as morphological and molecular markers in genetic studies of sugarcane.