Growth analysis of six popular sugarcane varieties across 3 seasons revealed that at all the stages of growth, the leaf area index had positive correlation with cane yield, the association being stronger at early stages. The leaf area ratio and specific leaf weight were negatively correlated. At most of the stages, the CGR, NAR and RGR were positively correlated with cane yield, but the association was significant only for CGR. These growth indices were positively related with sucrose percentage excepting LAI and SLA which were negatively related during early stages. The association of CGR at all the stages with cane yield and sucrose per cent was highly inconsistent over the years, whereas that of NAR, RGR, LAI, LAR, SLA and SLW was consistent at most of the stages. The LAI and LAR could be considered as useful indices for yield potential.
