Deciphering Yield Architecture in Sugarcane Germplasm through Correlation and Path Coefficient Approaches

The present study was conducted using 100 sugarcane genotypes in 2023-2024 in an Augmented Block Design-II at the Research farm, Main Sugarcane Research Centre, NAU, Navsari. As yield is a dependent trait and complex in inheritance due to its polygenic nature, knowledge on the extent of correlation between different characters contributing to yield is useful in isolating the most desirable individuals. Phenotypic correlation analysis revealed that cane yield had a highly significant positive correlation with germination per cent at 45 DAS, number of tillers at 120 DAS, number of shoots at 240 DAS, number of millable canes, single cane weight, and CCS (t/ha), indicating that improvement in these traits would enhance cane yield. CCS (t/ha) showed highly significant positive correlation with all traits except stalk length and cane diameter. Path analysis showed that CCS (t/ha) had the highest positive direct effect on cane yield, followed by number of millable canes, single cane weight, brix per cent, and purity per cent. Thus, CCS (t/ha), number of millable canes, and single cane weight were the most influential traits for cane yield through strong direct and indirect effects and significant positive correlations.