Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of Some Morphological and Quality Traits in Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.)

Abstract

The aim of present study was to enhance the efficiency of selection by developing new artificial variables which will serve as selection criterion. Brix value and sucrose percentage were positively and highly significantly correlated. Both of these showed positive significant association with cane diameter, dry matter content and commercial cane sugar (CCS). Strong positive correlation was found between CCS and juice contents. The PCA revealed that first 4 PCs explained more than 85% of the total variation. The PC1 added 35.4% share to the total variation while the share of PC2 was 27.2%. The contribution of PC3 and PC4 was 14.3% and 8.7% respectively. The remaining nine PCs explained only about 15% of the total variation. By probing screen plot it was evident that first 9 PCs have considerable variability while in remaining 4 PCs differences were negligible. Biplot exposed that in the PC1 and PC2 together internodal length and commercial cane sugar (CCS) showed minimum differences while other traits showed more differences. The information thus acquired from the research could be utilized to frame the suitable selection scheme to develop clones of the best commercial merits, suitable for cultivation in different environments.