Potential yield and drought tolerance of 15 sugarcane varieties under different water regimes

Abstract

Sugarcane production systems in Thailand were mostly grown under rainfed conditions. Drought stress could be occurred and reduced cane yield. The drought resistance cultivar could be
maintained yield and solve this problem sustainably. The aim of this study was to investigate agronomic characters and yield under well watered and drought stress of sugarcane under field condition at the Field Crop Research Station, Khon Kaen University. A split-plot in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications was used. Two irrigation treatments (well-watered and drought stress in early growth stage) as the main plots and fifteen sugarcane genotypes as the sub-plots. The plots size was 6 x 4 m, in four-row plots, 4.0 m long and spacing as 1.50 x 0.5 m apart. Data were collected yield component at 12 months after planting. The results indicated that water regime was significantly different in stalk height, single stalk weight (P<0.01) and CCS (P<0.05). The different of sugarcane varieties were significant for internode, stalk height, stalk diameter, single stalk weight, stalk number number/stool, millable cane and cane yield (P<0.01) and CCS (P<0.05).The genotype × water regime interaction was significant for internode, stalk height (P<0.05), stalk diameter, single stalk weight, stalk number stool, millable cane and cane yield (P<0.01). The high potential yield of sugarcane under both of well-water and drought stress conditions, such as MPT03-320 had high of stalk diameter and single stalk weight. The genotype, PR3067 had high of stalk number stool and millable cane. MPT06-166, K88-92 and Nco382 were high of stalk height and single stalk weight. The genotype, CP57-603 had high internode length and stalk height and BO14 had also high stalk height. Based on these traits of two genotypes could be maintain high yield under drought stress condition. Therefore, based on the results conclude that the traits associated to maintain high yield under drought stress condition could be used as the appropriate characteristics for selection of cultivars in sugarcane breeding programs, as well as that have adapted in the Northeast of Thailand.