Regional Sugarcane and Jaggery Research Station, Kolhapur

About the Centre

The latitude of Kolhapur is 160o43' N, the longitude is 740o14' E and elevation is 574 meters above MSL. Kolhapur region is one of the most concentrated sugarcane growing area in Maharashtra state because of favourable soil and agro ecological condition of the region. Kolhapur's climate is a blend of coastal and inland elements common to Maharashtra .In Kolhapur the temperature has a relatively narrow range between 10oC to 35oC. Summer in Kolhapur is comparatively cooler, but much more humid, than neighboring inland cities. Maximum temperatures rarely exceed 38oC and typically range between 33 and 35oC. Lows during this season are around 24oC to 26oC. The city receives abundant rainfall from June to September due to its proximity to the Western Ghats. The average annual rainfall of Kolhapur region is 1100mm. The heavy rains often lead to severe flooding during these months. Kolhapur experiences winter from November to February.

Kolhapur is a rich cultural heritage and hosts innumerable religious and historical places to visit. Kolhapur is situated at the banks of river Panchganga, which called as Dakshin Kashi for its spiritual history with well connected trains and buses that makes the journey pleasant and enjoyable. Famous places to visit include Goddess Mahalaxmi temple, Joytiba temple, Panhala fort, Rankala lake and Siddhagiri Gramjivan museum. It has pleasant weather throughout the year and the visit is enjoyable irrespective of seasons.

Contact Details:-

< Dr. V.B. Gedam
Agronomist and In-charge of RS and JRS, Kolhapur
Mob: 9689003422
rsjrs_kpr@rediffmail.com
Dr. Y.G.Ban
Breeder AICRP on Sugarcane RSJRS, Kolhapur
Mob:9423461710
rsjrs_kpr@rediffmail.com
Smt. M.R. Pandav
Field Assistant
Mob: 09011911811
mrpandav1107@gmail.com

Salient achievements/ Recommendations for inclusion in the website like major sugarcane varieties along with area occupied, average yield and sugar recovery:

  • The Kolhapur centre has so far released and recommended 3 sugarcane varieties viz., Co 7527 (1988), Co 8014 (1994) and Co 92005 (2009). The sugarcane variety Co 92005 is excellent for jaggery yield and quality with non-lodging, erect and sparse flowering characteristics. Jaggery prepared from the variety Co 92005 is fetching additional rate of Rs.250 to 550/- per quintal at the local market as compared with other released varieties in the region. At present,Co 92005 variety is used on large scale for jaggery production because of its quality. The sugarcane factories of this region especially river belt is occupied with varieties Co 86032 and CoM 0265 and replacing older variety CoC 671.>
  • Besides, this centre has significant contribution in release of sugarcane varieties viz; Co 7219, CoM 7125, CoM 88121, Co 86032, Co 94012, Phule 0265, MS 10001 (MS 13081) and CoM 09057 from CSRS, Padegaon for peninsular region.
  • For the sustainable sugarcane production technology wider row spacing, use of biofertilizers, intercrops in sugarcane and use of trash mulch is recommended package of practices.
  • The integrated use of organic and inorganic source of nutrients was found conspicuously better over alone fertilizer application in Kolhapur region. Use of organic source of nutrients in sugarcane plant-ratoon system enhanced soil health in peninsular zone of India.
  • Application of FYM/Compost @20 t ha-1+ inorganic source of nutrient application in sugarcane plant – ratoon system based on soil test ( rating chart ) was found beneficial in terms of cane and CCS yield t ha-1.
  • Technology / Variety of for specific condition/location / any other special feature; major intervention which improved the productivity/ recovery of sugarcane in the domine area
  • The varieties released by this centre:
    • 1. Co 7527: High yield (122 t ha-1and CCS yield 17.2t ha-1),high yield thick cane with green colour, sparse flowering best for water lodging condition and recommended for Satara, Sangli and Kolhapur district only in 1988 for Maharashtra state under suru season (January planting). This variety is late maturing 2. Co 8014(Mahalaxmi) : High sugar, thick cane, early maturing, long tops hence tends to lodging medium for ratoon and excellent for jaggery quality. The yield of suru and pre-seasonal 98t ha-1,135t ha-1.The CCS yield for suru and pre-seasonal is 14.11 and 19.48 t ha-1respectively. Recommended for Satara, Sangli and Kolhapur district of Maharashtra state. 3. Co 92005: Recommended for quality and higher jaggery yield and good keeping quality.High cane and CCS yield in Kolhapur and Sangli district of Maharashtra. Moderately susceptible to smut. Resistant red rot and wilt. Fetching higher jaggery Price (Rs 200 to550per quintal than other varieties. 4. Co.86032 (Nira): High sugar, high yield, easy detrashing, dark green colour leaves,good jaggery quality. Moderatelyresistant to smut, good sugar retaining capacity. Good for ratoon, medium thick cane and pinkish on exposure to sunlight, cracks on internodes, soft cane susceptible to borers. Recommended for Suru, Preasonal and Adasali in Peninsular Zone of India. 5. PhuleCoM 265: High cane and sugar yield, good ratooning capacity in delayed harvesting. Tolerant to salinity and water stress. High tillering and resistant to smut self detrashing. Midlate and recommended for Suru, Preasonal and Adasali condition. 6. The average recovery of Maharashtra state is 11.26 %. Interestingly, our research station comes under the high recovery zone of Maharashtra state.The average recovery of Kolhapurand Sangli ismore than 12.50%.

    C) Success story/impact technology in improving the farmer’s income:

    Due to the introduction of high yielding, early maturity, diseases and pest resistant variety and recommendation of wider row spacing, use of trash mulch and adopting the recommended packages of practices regarding the sugarcane cultivation helped in improving farmer’s sugarcane yield. The yield level of farmers from last 3 decades hassubstantially increased by adopting the new technology, ultimately resulted in increased the farmer income.

    Success story:-

    In Maharashtra annually about 200 sugar factories are working. Around 12.50 lakh ha area is found under sugarcane cultivation out of which 90.55 per cent area ( 10 lakh ha) is dominated by the varieties released by the research station (CSRS, Padegaon and RS & JRS, Kolhapur). The sugarcane variety released by our university helpful for increasing the sugarcane recovery of Maharashtra state.The area under different sugarcane varieties released by CSRS, Padegaon and ZARS, Kolhpur viz. Co 86032-48.49%, PhuleCoM 0265-34.22%, Phule 10001-1.17 %and Co 92005 is 3.67 %