Abstract The phenotypic characterization as well as the
knowledge of the correlation among traits, is the first step
to quantify the potential of a cross for further QTL
(quantitative trait loci) detection. The present work aimed
to evaluate the yield components and quality parameters
variability of a mapping population derived from a biparental
cross between IACSP95-3018 and IACSP93-3046
at plant cane and ratoon cane as well as to estimate the
heritabilities and pair-wise correlation among the traits
evaluated. The progeny clones differed significantly for the
traits measures indicating the existence of significant
amount of variability among them as also as the presence
of transgressive clones. Broad-sense heritabilities values
were generally high for stalk diameter, stalk weight, stalk
height, Brix and Pol%Cane in plant cane and ratoon cane.
Tones of sugarcane per hectare (TCH) were significantly
correlated with stalk weight and stalk number in both
years. Regarding to all the yield components, stalk number
together with stalk weight were the most important components
in the determination of TCH. While fiber and Pol%Cane were negative correlated showing that they are
inversely correlated traits.