Seasonal distribution of growth and sugar accumulation in sugarcane : SRDC project BS5S Final report

Abstract

At existing levels of cane yield, an extra unit of sugar content during May, June and July represented 47 6000 tonnes of sugar worth $13.3m at 1987 prices when this project was initiated. The situation now, with annual crops of greater than 30m tonnes and higher sugar prices, would provide greater returns. The potential for increasing early sugar through breeding and selectio has been demonstrated (see BS25S Final Report). Selection for high early sugar content may change the seasonal pattern of yield accumulation and affect regional adaptation.The objectives of this project : examine the effect of selection for high early sugar content on the seasonal distribution of yield and sugar accumulation in sugarcane; characterise clonal differences in the seasonal distribution of growth and sugar accumulation; determine the extent of genetic determination of such differences and the potential for their genetic manipulation; and examine the relationship between patterns of growth and regional adaptation.