Genetic divergence for adaptability and stability in sugarcane: Proposal for a more accurate evaluation

Abstract

The best agro-industrial performance presented by a crop genotype in one environment may not be reproduced in another owing to complex edaphoclimatic variations. Therefore, breeding programs are constantly attempting to obtain, through artificial hybridization, novel genotypes with high adaptability and stability potential. The objective of this study was to analyze genetic divergence in sugarcane based on the genotypic values of adaptability and stability. A total of 11 sugarcane genotypes were analyzed for eight agro-industrial traits. The genotypic values of the traits were determined using mixed model methodology, and the genetic divergence based on phenotypic and genotypic values was measured using the Mahalanobis distance. The distance matrices were correlated using the Mantel test, and the genotypes were grouped using the Tocher method. Genetic divergence is more accurate when based on genotypic values free of genotype–environment interactions and will differ from genetic divergence based on phenotypic data, changing the genotype allocations in the groups. The above methodology can be applied to assess genetic divergence to obtain novel sugarcane genotypes with higher productivity that are adapted to intensive agricultural systems using diverse technologies. This methodology can also be tested in other crops to increase accuracy in selecting the parents to be crossed.

Influence of Azospirillum brasilense on micro-propagated sugarcane seedlings

“…The SH was measured in centimeters using a ruler, from soil level to height of leaf apex (+1) (Kuijper numbering system) (Cheavegatti-Gianotto et al, 2011), and the SD, using a digital pachymeter at the base of the stalk, distanced 1cm from the substrate, both measured according to (Filho et al, 2021). The determination of the fresh mass of the aerial part (leaves + stalks) (AFM) and roots (RDM) was performed with a precision digital balance, and the results were expressed in g/plant.…”

“…Then the sample was distilled in 30% sodium hydroxide and titrated in ammonium borate with 0.1N hydrochloric acid solution. The results obtained were calculated in the percentage of total protein, and then the values transformed to N according to the Kjeldahl methodology, as proposed by (Filho et al, 2021).…”

Evaluation of a Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) Hybrid F1 Population Phenotypic Diversity and Construction of a Rapid Sucrose Yield Estimation Model for Breeding

“…However, the complex sugarcane genome, the laborious breeding technologies, and large number of phenotypic traits considerably restrict the efficiency of genetic improvement [ 6 , 7 ]. Modern sugarcane cultivars are interspecific hybrids of Saccharum officinarum and S. spontaneum and may even contain chromosome from other related genera, such as Erianthus arundinaceus , S. robustum , et al [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ].…”