Variation in juice quality traits of sugarcane genotypes under waterlogged condition in subtropical India

Water-logging is one of the serious environmental constraints for optimum growth, yield and juice quality of sugarcane crop. Twenty three sugarcane genotypes including six commercial varieties were evaluated for water-logging tolerance based on juice quality traits during year 2016– 2017 at Kharika block, ICAR-Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow. Significant difference was observed among genotypes for all juice quality traits immediately after waterlogged condition (in the month of November) and at later stage of water-logging (in the month of December and February). Juice quality attributes, namely°Brix, sucrose% juice, juice purity, CCS% juice and S/R ratio were relatively higher in the month of November and lower at later stage of water-logging (December and February) as compared to control plants. While reducing sugar content was slightly higher in waterlogged affected plants in the month of February. Sucrose% juice was ranged from 16.19 (CoLk12202) to 12.48 (LG05020) in November, 16.54 (CoLk12204) to 10.63 (A-46-11) in December and 17.33 (UP9530) to 12.83 (BO91) in February under waterlogged condition. With a general mean value highest increase (14.97% and 6.21% over control) was observed in D-6-13 and highest decrease in CCS% juice, juice purity (12.17%, 13.02% over control) was observed in CoJ 64 due to waterlogging. Based on juice quality attributes, CoLk12202, CoLk12204, D-6-13, UP9530, CoLk94184 may be grouped as tolerant genotypes and need to be evaluated at different locations to assess their adaptability under waterlogged condition.