Selection strategy in families of energy cane based on biomass production and quality traits

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify the traits that most affect production of sugarcane, fiber and lignin content (LIG) with a view toward optimizing the process of assessment and selection of families of energy cane. Fifty full-sibs families were assessed using an incomplete-block design, with five replications. The traits assessed were mean stalk height (SH), mean stalk diameter (SD), mean number of stalks per plant (NS), mean stalk weight (SW), fiber content (FIB), LIG, tons of cane per hectare (TCH), tons of fiber per hectare (TFH) and tons of lignin per hectare (TLH). Based on path analysis, it was possible to observe that the traits SW and NS, in that order, exhibited the greatest direct effects on TCH, TFH, and TLH. These traits they were indirectly affected to a greater degree by NS. The direct effects of FIB, LIG, SH, and SD on TCH, TFH, and TLH were smaller than the residual effects on the analyses carried out, showing their little importance in the selection process. The increase of TFH and TLH mainly occur due to greater biomass production, which is associated with greater tillering capacity and with the SW of the families. Thus, selection of families with greater FIB might not show genetic gains if the mean values for TCH of their offsprings are low. Therefore, selection of the best families for energy cane should be carried out based on TCH, which may be estimated by way of NS and SW.

Selection of energy cane clones

“…Lignin production per hectare (TLH) ranged from 3.1 ton ha -1 to 3.6 ton ha -1 (UFV09256), averaging 3.3 ton ha -1 (Table 2). As also found in this study (Table 2), Silveira et al (2015) reported that families with higher fiber yields also had the highest means for tons of lignin per hectare.…”

“…These values are similar to those reported by Silveira et al (2015), in an evaluation of energy cane families. Brasileiro et al (2013) observed high correlation values between TCH and NS, both in plant and ratoon cane, in the early selection stages.…”

“…However, if the designation is cogeneration of electricity, lignin plays an important role, due to its high calorific value (Loureiro et al 2011). According to Silveira et al (2015) lignin production increase with increasing biomass production. Therefore, research has been intensified to develop sugarcane cultivars with high biomass productivity.…”

“…The traits with strongest correlation with TLH were LIG, TCH and NS (0.81, 0.46 and 0.44), respectively. Silveira et al (2015) studied 50 sugarcane families for energy cane varieties. They found that the traits TCH, NS, LIG, FIB, and MSW were most correlated with TFH and TLH.…”

“…According to Silveira et al (2015), it is possible to obtain genotypes with high fiber and satisfactory sucrose levels. These examples are just a small sample of genetic variability in the Saccharum complex, as described by Matsuoka et al (2014), and of the possible hybrid combinations that can be established to increase the likelihood of success in breeding energy cane cultivars.…”