Silicon content in juice of sugarcane clones and its association with other characters at different stages of maturity

Abstract

Thirty sugarcane clones were studied for their silicon content in juice from 6 to 13 months at monthly intervals. Varieties differed significantly and the differences between stages and interaction between varieties and stages were also significant. Varietal means over stages revealed that variety Co 62399 had the lowest silicon content of 33 mg per 100 ml juice as compared to Co 62101 which possessed the highest (41 nig per 100 ml juice). Low silicon content in juice was found in Co 62399, Co 62101, Co 6304, POJ 2878, Co 419 and Co 775 while varieties Co 7304, Co 62175, Co 7204, Co 7508 and Co 853 registered comparatively higher levels. Means of 30 genetic stocks of sugarcane indicated that the juice silicon decreased from 43 mg at 6 months to 31 mg at 12 months in 100 ml juice. Juice silicon had significant negative association with chloride at 12, 13 months, purity at 9 months and positive association with amino acids, phosphorus and mud volume at different months of maturity.