Genetic variance and stability assessment of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) clones using the multi-trait stability index across diverse cropping seasons

The multi-trait stability index (MTSI) was employed in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) to identify superior clones that exhibit mean performance and stability across multiple trait combinations over crop seasons. Genetic variance analysis for thirteen yield and quality traits showed a significant effect (p < 0.001) for genotype, environment, and genotype-by-environment (G×E) interaction, except for stalk diameter over the crop seasons. Based on MTSI scores, two clones, 2017A 236 (G3) and 2017A 36 (G1) were identified as excellent variants with respect to mean performance and stability of cane yield and sugar quality traits across the three crop seasons. The MTSI index demonstrated selection differential for nine traits that exhibited positive selection gains, ranging from stalk length (5.21%) to number of tillers at 120 DAP (63.28%), while four traits showed negative gains for fiber (%) (-1.13%), brix (%) (-8.57%), jaggery yield (-14.32%) and stalk diameter (-23.69%). Correlation analysis showed a strong association among cane yield and yield-related traits across seasons, alongside high correlations observed among sucrose percent, brix percent and CCS percent over the crop seasons. The present results suggested that the selected clones are excellent candidates, showing superior performance for the evaluated traits across all crop seasons. Therefore, these promising clones hold potential for advancement in yield trials and inclusion in future breeding pipelines.