A brief report on sugarcane breeding program in Alagoas, Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this report is to depict the proceedings for obtaining new RB varieties of sugarcane in Alagoas, Brazil. This process starts at Sugarcane Flowering and Crossing Station, At Serra do Ouro. Serra do Ouro is located at 9o13’S 35o 50’W, 450m above sea level and 35km from the sea. The Winter (the wet season) extends from March to August. The Summer (the dry season) extends from September to February, and under these conditions the flowering process takes place and the annual cross station activity commences. Field trials and industrial analyses are carried out at sub-stations and sugar mills, respectively. The process for releasing new varieties is accomplished over eleven years. Since 1970 Serra do Ouro has produced and released 51 RB commercial varieties which cover over 50% of the sugarcane-growing area in Brazil.