Collection and description of basic germplasm of sugarcane (Saccharum complex) in China

Between 1985 and 1993, a series of collections were made of basic sugarcane germplasm in China. A total of 824 clones, representing nine genera and 19 species in the sub-tribe Saccharinae Benth. were collected. They were plan ted in the sugarcane nursery of Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming. Th ese were classified by geographic distribution, and examined for infloresce nce and morphological features, reproductive modes, ecological adaptability , and Brix, The loss over time of germplasm of the species of Erianthus Mic hx. sect. Ripidium Henrard, Miscanthus Andersson Narenga Bor, and Saccharum L. was considered. A relationship between the inflorescence morphology off . arundinaceus (Retz,) Jeswiet and S. spontaneum L. and the latitude and el evation of origin was revealed. The relationship between the Brix of clones of E. rufipilus (Steud,) Griseb, and S. spontaneum and their geographic or igin was also explored and is here reported.