Cyto-genetics in Relation to Sugarcane Breeding

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Abstract
Cytogenetical peculiarities of sugarcane are discussed as affecting breeding methods. Diploid parthenogenesis, with and without chromosome elimination, has been observed in S. robustum and Co. 602. This is likely to play an important part in the origin and establishment of new chromosomal races, as well as in breeding. Some of the Co. canes derived from crossing are now suspected to be parthenogenetic derivatives. This along with cytoplasmic inheritance,now known to be present in some of the sugarcanes, makes it necessary to bestow more care to the mother than to the staminate parent in sugarcane breeding. The formation of diploid eggs is believed to be due to post-meiotic endomitosis of the spore tetrad, hence the variations in the parthenogenetic seedlings. Eggs with unexpected chromosome number presumably owe their origin to chromosome elimination associated with duplication of the functioning group. Such eggs are also shown to take part in fertilization besides giving rise to parthenogenetic seedlings. The presence of a large element of chance in sugarcane breeding seems inevitable and cannot be eliminated.

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