Mixed modeling for fiber yield genetic selection in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum)

The current demand for clean and renewable energy has provoked considerable changes in the production system of agro-industrial companies. Bioelectricity generation through sugarcane bagasse burning has considerably risen in recent years. This work aimed to focus on sugarcane genetic selection for fiber productivity, using mixed linear modeling. The experiment was outlined in randomized blocks with four repetitions and sixteen genotypes. The evaluated traits were: cane tons per hectare, sucrose tons per hectare, fiber tons per hectare, fiber content and apparent sucrose content. Heritability coefficients suggested a significant genetic gain, while harmonic means of relative performance of predicted genotypic values allowed the identification of stable genotypes related to the traits evaluated, in four harvest cycles. The current agro-industrial demand for sugarcane varieties considers energy generation and sugar production with fiber content between 12% and 17%, and sucrose content near 13%. With this regard, genotypes EECAC 06, EECAC 03, EECAC 04 and EECAC 07 result interesting commercial cultivation options.