31^st Biennial Workshop of AICRP on Sugarcane

The 31^st Biennial Workshop of All India Coordinated Research Project on Sugarcane was hosted by the Vastantdada Sugar Institute, Pune on November 16-17, 2016. The Opening Session was held under the Chairmanship of Dr. J.S. Sandhu, DDG (CS), ICAR, New Delhi. Shri Shivajirao Deshmukh, Director General, VSI, Pune accorded warm welcome of the delegates.

Dr. S.K. Shukla, Project Coordinator (Sugarcane) presented the Annual Progress Report of AICRP on Sugarcane for the year 2015-16. He presented that 117 genotypes had been identified under AICRP on Sugarcane till now. Out of these, 55 genotypes have been released and notified for cultivation in different parts of country. Two sugarcane clones CoPb 08212 (early) and CoP 09437 (Midlate) were identified in 2015 for North West Zone and North Central Zone, respectively. In Crop Production discipline, technologies, sub-surface drip irrigation for optimizing resource use efficiency and increasing productivity of sugarcane, use of organics in nutrient management, ethrel application for enhancing germination and growth of sugarcane have been developed. In sugarcane protection, clean seed programme initiated after elimination through tissue culture combined with molecular diagnosis was found effective to rejuvenate degenerated sugarcane varieties. The main emphasis was given for development of improved sugarcane varieties, crop production and protection technologies suited to commercial cultivation under different agro-climatic conditions in the country.

Introductory remarks were given by Dr. A.D. Pathak, Director, ICAR-IISR, Lucknow, Dr. Bakshi Ram, Director, ICAR-SBI, Coimbatore and Dr. R.K. Singh, ADG(CC), ICAR, New Delhi.

Dr. A.D. Pathak, Director, ICAR-IISR, Lucknow highlighted the achievements and new thrusts of ICAR-IISR, Lucknow. He stressed the need of sugarcane research in multidisciplinary approach to improve the sugar availability. Dr. Bakshi Ram, Director, ICAR-SBI, Coimbatore, felt the need of development of early maturing varieties during early crushing season. Plateauing trend of sugar recovery and stagnant sugarcane productivity were focused. He mentioned that in Peninsular Zone, Co 09004 (early) recorded 17.89% and 17.84% improvement over the best standard CoC 671 for sugar and cane yields, respectively.

Dr. R.K. Singh, ADG (CC), ICAR, New Delhi suggested, Mission Oriented Programme for improving sugarcane and development through ICAR-IISR, ICAR-SBI and VSI, Pune. Enhancing sugar recovery, reducing cost of production, identifying climate resilient ISH and IGH genetic stocks were emphasized. Mechanization, bio-fertilizer, bio-pesticides and resource management techniques particularly drip irrigation were required to be integrated to develop holistic approach.

The Joint session of all the scientists on issues pertaining to strengthen the project was commenced under the chairmanship of Dr. J.S. Sandhu, DDG (CS), ICAR, New Delhi. He emphasized on minimizing gap between potential and realized sugarcane yield on farmers’ fields. In varietal development programme, thrust should be given on early maturing, high yielding and high sugar varieties resistant to major diseases and pests and to increase the farmers’ income. The meeting of Varietal Identification Committee meeting was also held on 16.11.2016.