Analysis of resource allocation in final stage sugarcane clonal selection

Superior genotypes of sugarcane (interspecific hybrids of Saccharum spp.) m ust continue to be developed with current resources as selection criteria e volve and expand. Developing future cultivars of sugarcane for the Everglad es Agricultural Area (EAA) of South Florida with high water table tolerance and increased P-uptake efficiency v could be an integral part of Everglade s restoration. The objective of this study was to assess the current alloca tion of resources in the final selection phase of cultivar (clonal) develop ment of the Canal Point, FL, sugarcane breeding program. Variance component analyses were conducted on elite genotypes from 7 yr of trials, Variance c omponents were used to compare relative magnitudes of sources of variation and to explore more efficient use of resources, Variation attributable to c rop x location interaction was nearly always the largest relative source of variation next to the residual term, The contributions to variance due to genotype x crop and genotype x location interactions were low, though these interactions cannot be discounted in cultivar release decisions. Variance due to replications was extremely low, Four statistics were used as metrics of experimental precision when reducing the number of replications. Reduci ng replications from eight to four did not compromise experimental precisio n, Removing the second-year planting sequence compromised little, if any, u seful information for effective cultivar release decisions. Better allocati on of resources could be achieved by alternative experimental design scenar ios, Testing for high water table tolerance or P-uptake efficiency could al so be included, improving ecological compatibility of agriculture in the EA A.