Consistency of the results of path analysis among sugarcane experiments

Abstract

The aim of this research was to evaluate the consistency of path analyses in sugarcane experiments based on genetic, phenotypic and genotypic correlations. Forty-four analyses were made with a view toward quantifying the direct and indirect effects of stalk height (SH), stalk diameter (SD) and number of stalks (NS) on sugarcane weight (SW). NS had the greatest direct effect on SW in all the analyses with the use of genetic and phenotypic correlations and in 12 analyses with use of the genotypic correlations. SD had a high direct effect on SW, going beyond NS in only one experiment, while SH had the lowest direct effect on SW in most of the experiments. The results showed greater consistency with the use of genetic and phenotypic correlations. In the balanced experiments, the phenotypic and genetic correlations showed equivalent results. NS is the main determinant of changes in sugarcane production.