Genotypic variation in intrinsic transpiration efficiency correlates with sugarcane yield under rainfed and irrigated field conditions

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Intrinsic transpiration efficiency (iTE), the ratio of photosynthesis (A) to stomatal conductance (gs), is considered a useful trait for improving productivity; however, higher iTE with high A is more desirable than that with low gs. This study dissects iTE of 20 sugarcane genotypes to understand its relationship with total dry matter (TDM) and cane yield (TCH) under irrigated and rainfed conditions. Water stress reduced mean A and gs by 56 and 61%, and mean TDM and TCH by 55 and 59%, respectively; however, genotype × irrigation treatment interaction was smaller than genotype variance. Mean iTE increased from 117.4 μmol mol−1 in the irrigated treatment to 130.6 μmol mol−1 in the rainfed treatment. In irrigated conditions, iTE had high heritability (H2b = 0.67) and significant genetic correlation with TDM (rg = 0.58) and TCH (rg = 0.72). Under water stress, at gs below 0.1 mol m−2 s−1, non‐stomatal limitation to A was evident and iTE had low heritability (H2b = 0.2). Whereas in the gs range of 0.1–0.4 mol m−2 s−1, heritability of iTE (H2b = 0.63) and its genetic correlation with TDM (rg = 0.78) and TCH (rg = 0.75) were maximised. There was significant genotypic variation in photosynthetic capacity (Ac), and the differences were related to TDM and iTE. Selecting genotypes with higher iTE and Ac could offer potential for improving productivity without the unfavourable effect of low gs.