SIGNIFICANCE OF DIFFERENT TECHNICAL METHODS ON SUGARCANE RATOONING ABILITY IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Sugarcane is the 2nd most important cash crop of Pakistan after cotton. It can be subjected to ratooning for several years in different countries like Brazil, America, Australia, South Africa, China and India. In Pakistan it can be subjected to rationing for mostly 1-2 years. Quality improvement, efficiency enhancement, reduced costs and energy use are some of benefits of ratooning. The genotype, environment, cultivation management, and harvesting technology affect the productivity and longevity of ratoon cane, with the genetic basis being the most critical factor. However, the majority of research has been focused on only limited genotypes. They mainly focus on the
comparison among different genotypes or among plant cane, different selection strategies for the first and second ratoon crops, together with screening indicators for the selection of stronger ratooning ability. In this paper, previous studies are reviewed in order to analyze the importance of sugarcane ratooning, the indicative traits used to evaluate ratooning ability, the major factors influencing the productivity and longevity of ratooning, the genetic basis of variation in ratooning ability, the shortcomings of the existing research on sugarcane ratooning are highlighted. We then discuss the focus of future ratoon sugarcane research and the technical methods that will shorten the selection cycle and increase the genetic gain of ratooning ability, particularly the development of linked markers. This review is expected to provide a reference for understanding the mechanisms underlying the formation of ratooning ability and for breeding sugarcane varieties with a strong ratooning ability.