Genetic Variability Analysis of Foreign Sugarcane Varieties at Ferké 2 in Northern Côte d’Ivoire

Aims: The study was to estimate and characterise the existing genetic variability of new candidate imported sugarcane varieties under Northern agro-climatic conditions of Côte d'Ivoire.

Study Design: A randomised complete block design with nine genotypes (clones) and four replications was used. The clones were planted in sandy-clay soil over an area of 95.68 m2. Each clone was planted in a single row of 10 meters and in 6 rows with 1.5 m between rows (10 m x 6 x 1.5 m).

Place and Duration of Study: During 2014 and 2016 crop seasons, performance of seven new imported sugarcane clones with different origin were obtained from CIRAD Montpellier tested with two control varieties SP701006 and R579.

Methodology: Germination rate, plant height and tiller number per stool, individual stalk weight, tons of cane per hectare (TCH, t ha-1) was determined and Pol% C was measured using a saccharimeter. The sucrose yield (TSH) was then calculated. At harvest, the rate of internodes attacked by Eldana saccharina was determined.

Results: Genotypes significantly differed for all the 6 traits indicating sufficient variability in the experimental material. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was higher than the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all traits studied, indicating that the apparent variation was not only genetic but also was influenced by the growing environment in the expression of the traits. In general, the quantitative trait was highly influenced by the environment. The GCV values were a bit lower ranging from 2.03% to 26.40% while the PCV values ranged from 3.21% to 53.70%. The traits TSH and Fiber showed high GCV and PCV. In the current study, the heritability ranged from 8.65% to 83.86%, while genetic advance as a percentage of the mean showed a wider gain ranging from 6.50% to 33.85%.

Conclusion: High estimates of heritability with high genetic advance were observed for TSH followed by Fiber, %Pol. Therefore, selection will be effective for these characters.