Selection via cane yield and ratooning ability of sugarcane genotypes in sandy soils in Florida

Authors: COTO ARBELO, ORLAND - University Of Florida; SANDHU, HARDEV - University Of Florida; Momotaz, Aliya; DAVIDSON, WAYNE - Florida Sugarcane League; SANDOYA, GERMAN - University Of Florida; BALTAZAR, MIGUEL - Florida Sugarcane League; BARRETO, EVERTON - Us Sugar Corporation; LABORDE, CHRIS - Us Sugar Corporation

Submitted to: Sugar Tech
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/3/2021
Publication Date: 3/26/2021
Citation: Coto Arbelo, O., Sandhu, H., Momotaz, A., Davidson, W.R., Sandoya, G., Baltazar, M., Barreto, E., Laborde, C. 2021. Selection via cane yield and ratooning ability of sugarcane genotypes in sandy soils in Florida. Sugar Tech. 23(5);986–998. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12355-021-00973-9.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12355-021-00973-9

Interpretive Summary: Thirteen new sugarcane genotypes and three check cultivars were assessed for their cane yield (CY) during three crop cycles (2014 to 2017) at four sand locations. Results revealed that differences in the performance of genotypes for CY is determined first by the effects of crop and crop × location interaction. No difference in ratooning ability was detected within the check varieties. None of the new genotypes showed better CY ratooning ability than the three checks. This indicate that the ratooning ability of the commercial germplasm in Florida should be evaluated based on additional experimental and on-farm data with the aim to identify best ratooning genotypes and checks on sand soils. Results also suggest that the selection process in stage III and beyond in sand soils based on CY should also consider the evaluation of the ratooning ability. The program may also consider extending the evaluation of new genotypes on sand soils in Stage III up to the second ratoon crop. The biplots for CY led to the conclusions that Townsite is the most discriminant and representative sand location for CY in Florida. In addition, the study indicates that the new genotype CP 11-1314 should be considered as an ideal genotype, whereas CP 11-1640 is better adapted to environments similar to PPI location.

Technical Abstract: In south Florida sugarcane is cultivated on muck and sandy soils. The cane yield (CY) of varieties grown on sandy soils is substantially lower than on muck soils due to water and nutrients stress. High CY combined with good ratooning ability (RA) is important for profitable sugarcane cultivation. In this study three series of CP trials (CP 2009, CP 2010, and CP 2011) planted in 3–4 locations with sandy soils were evaluated during 3 crop cycles. Our goals were to assess the magnitude of the sources of variation in the final selection stage (Stage 4) in the CP program for sandy soils, and to select sugarcane genotypes for sandy soils with high CY, good RA, and performance stability across sand locations. Variability of CY on sandy soils depended on crop and crop'×'location interaction. Genotype'×'crop'×'location interaction was significant in two out of three CP series, highlighting the complexity associated with breeding for CY on sandy soils in Florida. There were significant differences for CY among genotypes of CP 2011 series, but a limited RA diversity was detected among genotypes. The genotype plus genotype'×'environment (GEE) interaction analysis conducted with the combined CY data of CP 2011 series showed that Pahokee Produce Inc. (PPI) and Lykes locations were the most discriminant locations, whereas Hilliard and Townsite were the most representative sand locations in Florida. The simultaneous selection for CY, RA and stability identified outstanding genotypes in the CP 2011 series such as CP 11-1314 and CP 11-1640.