Self-progeny population and DNA extraction
A self-progeny population of LCP 85-384 was
produced as described in Suman et al. (2011). Young
leaves were collected from each progeny. Genomic
DNA was extracted according to Pan et al. (2000).
DNA concentrations were determined on NanoDrop
1000 spectrophotometer (NanoDrop, Bethesda, MD,
USA) at 260 nm followed by equilibration through
agarose gel electrophoresis.
Phenotyping
Field experiments were conducted involving 237
progenies during 2006 (plant-cane crop) and 2007
(first-stubble crop) at the USDA-ARS, Sugarcane
Research Unit, Ardoyne Farm at Schriever, Louisiana,
USA. In the field, each progeny was grown in
duplicated single-rows, 3 m long and at 18 cm separation,
and arranged randomly. During harvesting,
sampling was done by hand-cutting 10 stalks at ground
level, removing the top just below the apical meristem
and leaves, bundling, then weighing the 10-stalk