Evaluation of Selection Indices for Improving Gane yield in Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.)

The selection indices are one of the most effective methods for improving complex traits such as yield.

In the current study, 25 genotypes of Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) were evaluated to assess the efficiency of different selection indices. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design whit three replications in the Research Farm of Research farm of Khuzestan sugarcane research and training institute, Ahvaz, Iran in 2017.

The Smith-Hazel and Pesek-Baker indices were evaluated based on six traits including Stem height, stem diameter, internode length, sugar purity percentage, sucrose percentage and straw yield Sugarcane. The results of response to selection and relative selection efficiency indicated that the genotypes with higher stem diameter, Stem height and sugar purity percentage had the highest yield potential. The efficiency of selection for yield improvement through selection for stem diameter and stem height traits was highest, so stem diameter and stem height traits could be considered as a suitable selection criterion for improved straw yield in sugarcane. Due to the high correlation coefficients of Smith-Hazel indices 1 and 2 calculated with straw yield and estimation of high indirect selection efficiency through these indices compared to direct selection for straw yield, using these indices can improve yield.

Our results indicated that the Smith-Hazel index had the most selection efficiency and could be used in Sugarcane breeding programs.