Evaluation of key undesirable morphological traits in Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) hybrid progenies

Abstract

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is a key tropical crop grown mainly for sugar production and biofuel. Continuous improvement in sugarcane breeding is critical for developing high- yielding, stress-resistant varieties that address evolving agricultural and industrial demands. Although breeding programs typically focuses on desirable traits, studying undesirable traits is equally crucial to mitigate their negative impact on yield, quality and overall crop performance. This study evaluates undesirable morphological traits in sugarcane, specifically focusing on cane pithiness, growth cracks, leaf sheath adherence and hairiness within hybrid progenies. These traits negatively impact sugarcane quality and yield, posing challenges for breeding programs aimed at developing high-performing and resilient varieties. A total of 1,203 clones were assessed in clonal selection I across 27 parental combinations. A standardized scoring system was utilized to quantitatively evaluate pithiness and growth cracks, revealing distinct variations among parental genotypes. Leaf sheath adherence strength was determined through manual detachment tests, while hairiness was classified based on trichome presence. Key findings from the progeny evaluations identified parents such as Co 86032, ISH 100, Co 11015, ISH 69, Co 97015 and Co 98010 as consistently producing progeny with reduced pithiness and minimal growth cracks. Conversely, genotypes like CoV 89101, CoH 13, MS 68/47, CoC 671, CoH 70 and ISH 229 were associated with higher frequencies of undesirable traits. By refining hybridization strategies and focusing on specific parental combinations, this study aspires to enhance breeding efficiency, reduce the occurrence of inferior clones and ultimately improve the economic sustainability of sugarcane production.