However both traits had significant positive associations with yield. Therefore, the traits, stalk weight and NMC should be handled with a suitable breeding approach to break the negative relationship between them (Das et al., 1997). Stalk weight and stalk diameter did not showed any significant association with NMC but they had a significant positive correlation with stalk weight. Thus, they should be preferred for increasing stalk weight. NOI and LOI showed positive correlation with ratoon yield, thus they may be considered as a component trait of yield. NOI had positive correlations with quality traits also. But LOI showed significant negative associations with sugar yield and all the quality characters. Therefore, LOI should not increase beyond a limit. Medium internode size is always desirable. The same opinion was expressed by Thangavelu (2005).