Correlation and Path Coefficient Analyses in Sugarcane

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the contribution of different traits to cane yield in
sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L). Sixty-five clones were evaluated in a replicated field
experiment at Sugarcane Research Programme, Jitpur, Nepal in 2003 for six morphological
characters under irrigated conditions. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences for all
the characters studied. Cane yield showed positively and highly significant correlation with
single cane weight, stalk length and millable cane number. There was also positively significant
correlation of cane diameter and number of internode with cane yield. Length of internode had
positive non-significant correlation with cane yield. Single cane weight had the highest positive
direct effect on cane yield followed by millable cane number. Stalk diameter and stalk length
was positively and significantly correlated with cane yield, which was due to indirect effect of
single cane weight. Results indicate that the genotypes should be selected on the basis of single
cane weight and millable cane number for getting higher sugarcane yield.

Key words: Cane yield; correlation; path coefficient; sugarcane

DOI: 10.3126/narj.v6i0.3340

Nepal Agriculture Research Journal Vol.6 2005 pp24-27