Rational regional distribution of sugarcane cultivars in China

Authors: LUO, JUN - Fujian Agricultural & Forestry University; Pan, Yong-Bao; XU, LIPING - Fujian Agricultural & Forestry University; Grisham, Michael; ZHANG, HUA - Fujian Agricultural & Forestry University; QUE, YOUXIONG - Fujian Agricultural & Forestry University

Submitted to: Scientific Reports
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/20/2015
Publication Date: 10/26/2015
Publication URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/61985
Citation: Luo, J., Pan, Y.-B., Xu, L., Grisham, M.P., Zhang, H., Que, Y. 2015. Rational regional distribution of sugarcane cultivars in China. Scientific Reports. 5:15701. DOI: 10.1038/srep15721.

Interpretive Summary: Knowledge on yield potential and yield stability is essential for the recommendation of newly selected sugarcane breeding lines for commercial release. Because of extreme genetics by environment effect in sugarcane, the newly selected sugarcane breeding lines are often tested at different geographical regions throughout a few crop cycles. How to analyze the test data precisely remains a challenge for the sugarcane breeders. In this study, a computer software program named “heritability-adjusted genotype main effect plus genotype × environment” (or HA-GGE) biplot was used for data analysis. Both cane and sucrose yield data were collected from a replicated two-year field test involving 44 cultivars and eight test sites in five provinces. The HA-GGE biplots provided visual displays of effects of G and G by E and adaptability of these cultivars to the test environments. Nine cultivars produced higher cane and sucrose yields than the check. Four of these nine cultivars also showed high yield stability. Five cultivars produced relatively high sucrose yields and were well adapted to a wide range of environments. Based on these results, three high yielding and widely adapted cultivars, namely, FN 39, YZ 05-51 and LC 05-136, were recommended for commercial production in three major sugarcane planting areas in China, including the Central and Southern Guangxi, Southwestern Yunnan, and Western Guangdong and Northern Hainan provinces. The HA-GGE results will provide a theoretical basis for recommending the effective use and rational regional distribution of sugarcane cultivars in China.

Technical Abstract: Knowing yield potential and yield stability of sugarcane cultivars is of significance in guiding sugarcane breeding and the rational regional distribution of sugarcane cultivars. In the present study, a heritability-adjusted genotype main effect plus genotype × environment (HA-GGE) biplot program was used to analyze the cane and sucrose yield of 44 newly released sugarcane cultivars at eight pilot test sites. The cane and sucrose yields of nine cultivars were higher than those of the control cultivar ROC22. Among the nine cultivars, YZ 06-407, FN 39, YZ 05-51, and LC 05-136 had a relatively high stability on both cane and sucrose yields. FN 38 and FN 41 had relatively high stability on cane yield, but relatively low stability on sucrose yield. LC 03-1137 and DZ 03-83 have relatively high stability on sucrose yield, but relatively low stability on cane yield. From the perspective of cane yield, FN 40 and YZ 06-407 were well adapted to a wider range of conditions and produced relatively high cane yields in several pilot sites. From the perspective of sucrose yield, LC 03-1137, FN 38, FN 41, MT 01-77 and LC 05-136 were well adapted to a wide range of conditions and produced relatively high sucrose yields. Based on these results, three high yielding and widely adapted cultivars, namely, FN 39, YZ 05-51 and LC 05-136, were recommended for production in three major sugarcane planting areas in China, including the Central and Southern Guangxi, Southwestern Yunnan, and Western Guangdong and Northern Hainan provinces. The results will provide a theoretical basis for recommending the effective use and rational regional distribution of sugarcane cultivars in China.