SELECTION INDEXES FOR SUGARCANE IMPROVEMENT AT 3 STAGES OF SELECTION

Selection indices at different stages of selection were estimated for a biparental mating population of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) . At the seedling stage indices constructed from primary characters ar e better than selection for yield alone. At the clonal stage the super iority of index selection over direct selection was marginal. In the s eedling stage, selection based on index can lead to better selection e fficiency in succeeding clonal stages. This was confirmed by a sample study.