Effect of row spacing on genetic correlation of sugarcane families in South Africa

Understanding inter-trait genetic association provides knowledge required for developing multiple-trait breeding strategies. In South Africa, stage-1 trials are planted using ?tramline? row spacing, while subsequent trials and commercial crops are planted using continuous row spacing; this creates potential confounding. Tramline is where two planted rows are followed by an unplanted row. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of row spacing (tramline and continuous) on genetic correlations among yield and quality traits of sugarcane families.