PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF BARBADOS FUZZ AT INITIAL STAGES.

In this research study, thirteen crosses of sugarcane fuzz received at Sugarcane Research Institute (SRI) Faisalabad from West Indies Central Sugarcane Breeding Station (WICSBS) Barbados were tested and evaluated for initial stages of varietal development program. This study was important as for the first time West Indian sugarcane germplasm was evaluated in Pakistan. The comparison was made with check (approved) varieties to promote into next selection stage. The sowing of fuzz at SRI started during 1st week of July 2019 as humidity level and temperature becomes more favorable for its germination. The selection of seedlings was made during the month of November 2019 and 234 clones were promoted to nursery-I. Similarly, 42 clones were advanced to nursery-II. The numbers were reduced tosix in preliminary yield trial when red rot and other disease screening were applied during nursery-II. The clones were planted 1.2m x 1.2m at seedlings stage, 1.2m x 4m at N-I stage, 2.4m x 4m at N-II stage while three replications at preliminary yield trials. The clones showing better performance were carried out to next selection stage of varietal development program during selection process in the month of October each year. Further testing and evaluation of these clones is needed to check more adaptability and stability of general characteristics to proceed into net varietal development stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]