PERFORMANCE OF SUGARCANE PROGENY FROM CROSSES BETWEEN CLONES DERIVED FROM DIVERSE S-SPONTANEUM SOURCES

Progeny from 32 biparental crosses between F-1 clones (i.e. Saccharum officinarum or commercial hybrid x S. spontaneum derived from S. spont aneum clones of different geographic origin), together with the parent F-1 clones, were evaluated for sugar yield and its components. Previo us studies suggested that progeny derived from different S. spontaneum sources may exhibit heterosis for sugar content and yield. Both proge ny and parent populations exhibited high genetic variation for all att ributes measured. No significant differences between the parent popula tion and populations of progeny for either mean performance or varianc e were found. It is suggested that little or no immediate gain from fa vourable gene interactions may be achieved by crossing F-1 clones of d iverse genetic backgrounds.