Screening and Evaluation of Sugarcane Cultivars for Germplasm Collection in Guangxi

  Objective  Sugarcane cultivars exhibiting the characteristics of high-yield, sugar content and stress-resistance from various sources were screened for a germplasm collection in preparation for a 3 000 hm² experimental station on the development of a sustainable sugar industry in Guangxi.

  Method  The agronomic traits of 10 sugarcane varieties were compared in a one-year-new-planting followed by another year of ratooning on Xinxing Farm in Liuzhou, Guangxi from March 2016 till January 2018.

  Result  During the two planting years, the LZ (including GR) series showed superior performances on yield and sugar content. Under the one-year-new-planting, the cultivars LZ02-186, LZ07-53, GR2, and LZ03-81 produced more sugar per plant than CK (ROC22). In the ratoon year, GR2 delivered significantly higher yield and sugar. The sugar yield was 16.32 t·hm⁻², which was 57.7% higher than that of CK, while those of LZ02-186 and LZ03-81 were higher than CK as well.

  Conclusion  Cultivar GR2 demonstrated desirable ratooning and resistance characteristics with high yield and sugar content and was a prime candidate for further investigation. Nonetheless, LZ02-186 and LZ03-81 that exhibited excellent traits on the number of productive stalks, cane yield, and stress-resistance were also recommended to be included in the germplasm collection.