Winter Tolerance Potential of Genetically Diverse Sugarcane Clones under Subtropical Climate of Northern India

The low temperature (LT) conditions that prevail during winter in subtropical regions of India drastically affect the growth and yield sugarcane. To identify low-temperature-tolerant agronomical acceptable genotypes for immediate deployment as donor parents sugarcane breeding program, 34 clones belonging to 7 genetically diverse groups were evaluated under three crop environments, viz., spring planting, ratoon ratoon, 2015–2016 2016–2017. In crop, commercial cane sugar reduced, whereas sucrose % was increased over planted crop. wild species introgressed hybrid showed improvement quality traits near reduction these plant crops. tropical cultivars group poorest performer irrespective Yield per se a stress environment adjudged best selection criteria. For classification according their tolerance, an index named tolerance (WTI) is proposed which takes into account sprouting (WSI), WTI had significant positive association with WSI, yield, millable population length. As ratings, Saccharum complex rated excellent WT clones. Subtropical or advanced generation poor clones, sensitive Clones such AS04-635, AS04-1687, IK76-48, GU07-2276, IND00-1040, IND00-1038 IND00-1039 GU07-3849, AS04-245, Co 0238, AS04-2097 GU07-3774 good scores. variety, may be continued cultivation LT prophylactic measurers red rot, while other listed above utilized programs.