Characterization and morphological diversity of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) genotypes based on descriptor traits

ABSTRACT

An accurate and extensive study of the qualitative morphological diversity of sugarcane genotypes would allow their identification, conservation, and utilization in the sugarcane breeding program. The objectives of the study were to characterize and estimate the morphological diversity of sugarcane genotypes using qualitative traits. Data collected for 16 qualitative characters were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis to assess the overall patterns of morphological variation. The Shannon diversity index (H’) was calculated to estimate morphological diversity. The results indicated that the qualitative traits revealed high variability among 144 sugarcane genotypes. The most polymorphic character with the highest Shannon diversity index (H’) was stalk corky patchs. The H’ averaged across all countries for different characters was found to vary from 0.50 to 0.76 with an average of 0.61. The H’ pooled across characters by country of collection ranged from 0.00 to 0.83, with a general average of 0.62. Multivariate cluster analysis grouped the genotypes into four distinct clusters based on the relatedness and variation for all considered characters. Genotypes with close genetic relationships were grouped in a single cluster. The clustering pattern of the genotypes elucidated that genotypes originating from the same geographic locations did not form a single cluster. This shows that geographic diversity was not associated with genetic diversity, which possibly due to the continuous exchange of genetic material among countries. Finally, we conclude that the qualitative morphological traits evaluated in this study could be used for varietal identification, maintaining genetic diversity, and managing sugarcane germplasm.

KEYWORDS:

• Diversity
• cluster analysis
• Shannon-weaver
• Multivariate analysis
• qualitative traits

Acknowledgments

Authors thank Ethiopian Sugar Industry Group (ESIG) for grant funds and for providing seedcane of sugarcane genotypes for conducting this research. The authors are also grateful to Metehara Sugar Factory Research Station authorities and subordinate technical staff for their help in the field experiment, pertinent data collection, and field trial management.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The dataset collected and analyzed on the course of the present study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This work was financially supported by Ethiopian Sugar Industry Group (ESIG).

Notes on contributors

Melaku Tesfa

Melaku Tesfa is a plant biotechnologist in the Variety Development Research Program at Fincha Sugar Factory Research Center. Currently, he is a PhD candidate at Adama Science and Technology University.

Esayas Tena

Dr. Esayas Tena, Gashaw, is a senior plant breeder and Variety Development Research Program coordinator at the Ethiopian Sugar Industry Group, Research Center, Page 2 of 2 Ethiopia. His team is working on the evaluation and maintenance of genetic resources and the provision of adaptable, highperforming sugarcane varieties to the various sugarcane- growing agroecologies of Ethiopia.

Mulugeta Kebede

Mulugeta Kebede is Associate Professor of Plant Genomics and Phenomics at the department of Plant Biology and Biodiversity Management of Addis Ababa University.