Selection preferences of sugarcane seedling families related to yield traits and RGB spectral indices

Authors: Todd, James; Johnson, Richard; Verdun, David; Richard, Katie

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/27/2022
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The early stages of the USDA Louisiana commercial sugarcane breeding program involve planting large numbers of genetically unique seedlings that require time and resources to evaluate. Remote sensing techniques have been used to rapidly evaluate plant material over large areas using aerial images. Twelve sugarcane seedling families each having approximately 263 seedlings were planted in two replications at the USDA-ARS Ardoyne farm in Schriever, LA in April 2018. Stalk height and number measurements and diameter ratings were taken on 50 stools of each replication of each family. Red-Green-Blue images were taken of the seedling experiment in plant cane and first ratoon before selection. CIELab spectral indices were derived from the images for each plot. Of the field measurements, height had the largest influence visual selections. Several spectral indices correlated highly with important traits including Height (>0.80), selection rates (>0.70), and Brix (>0.60). The results show the potential for seedling evaluation by remote sensing methods.