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Fourteen pre release sugarcane clones were tested against sugarcane variety Co 6907 for their suitability to early planted conditions (December / January planting) under moisture stress / drought at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Anakapalle during 2015-16 & 2016-17. Among fourteen pre release clones tested sugarcane clones 2006A 223 (71.04 t/ha) and 2000A 225 (69.8 t/ha), 2003A 255 (69.32 t/ha), 2009A 107 (66.72 t/ha) and 2007A 81 (69.65 t/ha) and CoC 01061 (65.29 t/ha) recorded higher cane yield and on par with standard. All these clones are significantly on par with each other and tolerance to red rot and smut diseases, whereas Co 6907 is susceptible to smut disease. These clones also recorded significantly low SLA on par with standard Co 6907 which indicates more photosynthetic assimilates per unit area. SPAD / SCMR values at 120 DAP under stress conditions (Summer). Sugarcane clones 2000A 225, 2003A 225, 2006A 223, 2009A 107, CoC 01061 and 2007A 81 recorded significantly higher SPAD values with standard Co 6907.The ancillary data denoting stress tolerance like sheath moisture per cent, root spread area, total bio mass production per stool under stress and physiological parameters like leaf proline content & SOD activity under stress conditions is also high in sugarcane clones 2000A 225, 2003A 255, 2006A 223, 2009A 107, 2007A 81 and CoC 01061 over standard Co 6907. Based on two years of finding sugarcane clones 2000A 225, 2009A 107, 2007A 81, 2006A 223, 2003A 255 and CoC 01061 were found to suitable for drought/ soil moisture stress condition of cane cultivation based on cane yield, ancillary data and physiological triats in relation to moisture stress tolerance.

Key words: Moisture stress / drought / limited irrigations, SPAD / SCMR, leaf proline, SOD (super oxide dismutase) activity, cane yield, per cent juice sucrose, root spread area, Number of millable canes and Fibre percent.