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Variations in Root Distribution Patterns and Cane Yield of 16 Elite Sugarcane Clones Grown Under Varied Soil Conditions

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Abstract

Response to drought of sugarcane for root traits is considered to be an important mechanism in which the crop can maintain cane yield under drought conditions. The objective of this study was, therefore, to investigate root distribution patterns of sugarcane and their relationships with cane yields under rain-fed conditions. Thirteen elite sugarcane clones (KK06-501, KK07-478, NSUT08-22-3-13, RT2004-085, CSB06-2-15, CSB06-2-21, CSB06-4-162, CSB06-5-20, TBy27-1385, TBy28-0348, MPT02-458, MPT03-166 and 91-2-527) and three check varieties (KK3, LK92-11 and Kps01-12) were planted in a randomized complete block design with four replications at two locations. Root length density (RLD) was measured via the auger method at 4, 6 and 8 months after planting (MAP) at two positions between plants and between rows. Cane yield was measured at 12 MAP. RLD in the upper soil layers was measured at 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm below the soil surface, whereas RLD in the lower soil layers was measured at 40–60, 60–80 and 80–100 cm below the soil surface. Sugarcane genotypes were significantly different for RLD and cane yield in both locations, and the RLDs of the 13 sugarcane varieties grown under rain-fed conditions were classified into four patterns. The sugarcane varieties changed their root distribution patterns when evaluated at 6 and 8 MAP. KK3 was predominant and most interesting as it had consistently high yield in both locations and high root length density in the lower soil layers in response to drought.

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Abbreviations

DAP:

Days after planting

LSD:

Least significant difference

MAP:

Months after planting

RLD:

Root length density

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Acknowledgements

The research project was funded by the Northeast Thailand Cane and Sugar Research Center (NECS), Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) and the Thailand Research Fund (TRF), Thailand. We also wish to extend our thanks to the manuscript preparation project under Faculty of Agriculture, KKU and TRF, Thailand.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand

    Sawettachat Set-Tow, Patcharin Songsri & Nuntawoot Jongrungklang

  2. Northeast Thailand Cane and Sugar Research Center, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand

    Patcharin Songsri & Nuntawoot Jongrungklang

Authors
  1. Sawettachat Set-Tow
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  2. Patcharin Songsri
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  3. Nuntawoot Jongrungklang
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Contributions

Sawettachat Set-tow carried out the whole experiment and made manuscript draft and was responsible for the main experimental assignments, data analysis and manuscript preparation; P. Songsri guided in working concepts and advised in physiological and rooting tirats; N. Jongrungklang guided in working concepts.

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Correspondence to Patcharin Songsri.

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Set-Tow, S., Songsri, P. & Jongrungklang, N. Variations in Root Distribution Patterns and Cane Yield of 16 Elite Sugarcane Clones Grown Under Varied Soil Conditions. Sugar Tech 22, 1018–1031 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12355-020-00834-x

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