Handling large populations of sugarcane genotypes at early stages of selection in Mauritius
| MSI01P3552 | |
| Santchurn, D. Ramdoyal, K. Rivet, L. Mungur, H. | |
| Handling large populations of sugarcane genotypes at early stages of selection in Mauritius | |
| Lalouette, J. A.; Bachraz, D. Y. (eds)., Proceedings of the Fifth Annual Meeting of Agricultural Scientist, University of Mauritius, Réduit, Mauritius, 3-4 May 2001 | |
| book chapter | |
| 2003 | |
| p. 115-125 | |
| Réduit, Food and Agricultural Research Council (FARC) | |
| En | |
| En | |
| Breeding in sugar cane involves the production of new populations of genotypes, which are subsequently screened and clonally multiplied through successive selection stages. This selection process spans over eleven to fifteen years in the MSIRI programme before a variety is released for commercial cultivation. The relative efficiency of plant breeding programmes world-wide depends on the breeders' ability to handle large populations at early generations, when individual genotypes are evaluated on small unreplicated plots and planting material is limited. Optimum selection is achieved by selecting as weakly as possible in the beginning for highly heritable characters, intensifying selection only when substantial quantities of planting material of individual varieties are available to reduce environmental effects. With advances in computing hardware and software, it is now possible to reap maximum benefits from collected data with advantages ranging from small gains in selection efficiencies to new ways of sharing and applying research findings. The MSIRI has invested in the computerisation of selection data since 1960's, which has improved the handling of data at all selection stages. The number of seedlings produced yearly for selection has increased to 100,000 and genotypes are now tested in several agro-climatic zones at an early stage. A redefinition of selection criteria and selection methods is desirable to address the new changes in the programme. This paper describes the methods of handling large populations and examines the efficiency of the selection parameters applied in early generation in the MSIRI programme. | |
| Computerisation Genotypes Varieties Saccharum spp. Selection criteria Selection efficiency Breeding Sugarcane | |
| Mauritius | |
| Cane breeding and genetics | |
| Computerisation of data | |
| 2001-04-27 | |
| En | |
| LIB | |
| CAT | |
| PB |