Differential Physiological Traits, Ion Homeostasis and Cane Yield of Sub-Tropical Sugarcane Varieties in Response to Long-Term Salinity Stress

Sugarcane grown under a wide range of agro-climatic conditions accounts for ~80% the sugar production worldwide. Since sugarcane productivity is severely affected by abiotic stresses and hence, an experiment was conducted two consecutive years during 2020 2021 on popular sub-tropical varieties. The laid out in two-factorial RBD consisting nine genotypes (Co 98014, Co 0118, 0238, 05011, 06034, 09022, 12029, 15023 15027) salinity treatments (Control, ECiw ~ 4, 8 12 dS m?1) 5 replications. Two budded setts were planted pots irrigated with saline water respective levels till formative phase observed build-up electrical conductivity soil extract (ECse) from 0.48 (control) to 2.99, 4.81 7.08; while further irrigation increased ECse values 4.48, 6.24 9.33 m?1 m?1, respectively. Increase EC decreased plant survival 24.1, 47.0 79.6% continued 8, respect control. Continued caused significant reduction growth, which associated relative content (RWC) gas exchange traits. RWC 4.91 21.9%, chlorophyll 8.46 32.75%, photosynthetic rate (Pn) 16.85 91.44%, stomatal conductance 14.96 84.25%, transpiration 14.13% 89.8% fluorescence 5.33 42.67% 4 Significant variations Na+ K+ ion elevated condition roots, leaves juice genotypes. Na+/K+ ratio, important trait screening tolerance, all as compared control, increase predominant susceptible Single cane weight (SCW) drastically irrigation, 36.4, 68.5 83.5% at respectively similar declining trend quality. Based our results, 0118 98014 tolerant stress maintaining higher Pn, lower leaf SCW sucrose content.