Dry Mass Yield and Fiber Composition of a Diversity Panel of the World Collection of Sugarcane (Saccharum sp.) and Related Grasses

The world collection of sugarcane (Saccharum hybrids) and related grasses (WCSRG) is an important genetic resource for sugarcane and energy cane breeding. Fiber components and structural carbohydrates in bioenergy feedstocks are utilized for conversion to lignocellulosic biofuel. The objective of this study was to measure biomass yield, and analyze the fiber components of a diversity panel selected from WCSRG. Plants were harvested from pots, weighed, dry mass estimated, and fiber components chemically quantified. Of the three largest groups studied, the hybrids had the highest fresh mass; while the Saccharum spontaneum group had the highest dry mass. There were significant, but not large, differences between groups for holocellulose, lignin, acetyl, acid soluble lignin, nonstructural ash, and glucan. Saccharum spontaneum had significantly more holocellulose, glucan, lignin, and nonstructural ash; but less acetyl and acid soluble lignin than the other groups. Ash negatively correlated with lignin and acetyl, and positively with holocellulose. Principal component analysis indicated that a large amount of diversity exists within each of the species. These results suggest that strategic use of the WCSRG could provide germplasm for both positive and negative selection of yield and fiber-related traits across all species of the collection. The fiber data evaluated in this study will allow breeders to make informed decisions about potential effects of parental selection on fiber content of progeny.