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Genetic divergence in sugar cane (Saccharum spp.) clones^*

José Marcelo Soriano Viana^I; Antonio Américo Cardoso^I; Cosme Damião Cruz^II; Adair José Regazzi^III; Renato Mário del Giúdice^I

^IDepartamento de Fitotecnia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570 Viçosa, MG. Brasil. Send correspondence to A.A.C.
^IIDepartamento de Biologia Geral, and ^IIIDepartamento de Matemática, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570 Viçosa, MG, Brasil

ABSTRACT

The degree and repeatability of genetic divergence of yield characteristics of the first two cuts among 20 sugar cane clones observed in two different environments in the sugar cane region of the State of Alagoas (Brazil) were evaluated by cluster analysis, Mahalanobis' generalized distance and Tocher's algorithm. Analyses were based on eight technological quality and yield characteristics. The clones tested did not show a high degree of divergence. A tendency toward less diversity was observed in the second cut. The repeatability of the results obtained under the different conditions was low, a fact that impairs the use of these data in future sugar cane breeding programs.

Keywords: Sugar cane; Saccharum spp clones.

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* Part of a thesis submitted by J.M.S.V. to Universidade Federal de Viçosa in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Masters degree.