Selection via Cane Yield and Ratooning Ability of Sugarcane Genotypes in Sandy Soils in Florida

In south Florida sugarcane is cultivated on muck and sandy soils. The cane yield (CY) of varieties grown on sandy soils is substantially lower than on muck soils due to water and nutrients stress. High CY combined with good ratooning ability (RA) is important for profitable sugarcane cultivation. In this study three series of CP trials (CP 2009, CP 2010, and CP 2011) planted in 3–4 locations with sandy soils were evaluated during 3 crop cycles. Our goals were to assess the magnitude of the sources of variation in the final selection stage (Stage 4) in the CP program for sandy soils, and to select sugarcane genotypes for sandy soils with high CY, good RA, and performance stability across sand locations. Variability of CY on sandy soils depended on crop and crop × location interaction. Genotype × crop × location interaction was significant in two out of three CP series, highlighting the complexity associated with breeding for CY on sandy soils in Florida. There were significant differences for CY among genotypes of CP 2011 series, but a limited RA diversity was detected among genotypes. The genotype plus genotype × environment (GEE) interaction analysis conducted with the combined CY data of CP 2011 series showed that Pahokee Produce Inc. (PPI) and Lykes locations were the most discriminant locations, whereas Hilliard and Townsite were the most representative sand locations in Florida. The simultaneous selection for CY, RA and stability identified outstanding genotypes in the CP 2011 series such as CP 11-1314 and CP 11-1640.