Improved cane varieties identified for cultivation in 5 states

Lucknow, Nov 9 (UNI) Two improved high yield sugarcane varieties, developed by Uttar Pradesh Council of Sugarcane Research (UPCSR), have also been identified for general cultivation in five states namely Punjab, Uttaranchal, Haryana, Rajasthan, besides Western and Central UP.

The new varieties CoS 96268 (early) and Cos 96275 (midlate) gave higher cane and sugar yields in plant and ratoon crops, and are also moderately resistant to red rot in trials, official sources said here today.

UPCSR presented the two varieties at the 26th Biennial Workshop of All India Coordinated Research Project on Sugarcane held at G B Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar last month.

Earlier, extensive trials of plant and ratoon were conducted at Sriganganagar, Kota, Karnal, Uchani, Faridkot, Ludhiana, Pantnagar, Muzaffarnagar, Shahjahanapur and Lucknow research stations since 2003.

The two varieties were identified by Varietal Identification Committee 2006, which met under the chairmanship of Dr K C Jain, Assistant Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi.

According to sources, early maturing variety CoS 96268 has recorded an average cane yield of about 70 tonnes per hectore.

At the age of 10 months (January), average sucrose per cent in juice was found at 17.91 per cent in trials of CoS 96268, while maximum cane yield and sucrose per cent in juice were recorded at 102.49 t/ha and 19.13 per cent respectively.

CoS 96268 possesses erect, medium thick, soft, solid and non-lodging cane of yellowish green colour. It is characterised by tops green, buds medium and triangular, bud groove present, good in germination, tillers, millable canes and yield.

This variety is moderately resistant to red rot. Use of two budded setts for planting and proper treatment at the time of planting for the control of termites are beneficial for good crop.

Due to its increasing juice quality from early part of crushing to the end of crushing season, this variety has been gaining popularity among millers.

Variety CoS 96268 was released for general cultivation in UP in 1999.

On the other hand, midlate variety CoS 96275 recorded an average cane yield of about 81 t/ha and 17.32 per cent sucrose in juice (12 months -- March).

This variety possesses erect, medium thick, soft, solid canes of light yellowish green colour.

It is characterised by light green tops, small and round buds, spines on leaf sheath absent, good in germination, tillering, millable cane and yield.

The variety is moderately resistant to red rot. Use of two budded setts in planting is beneficial for good crop.

This variety is of special importance to millers due to its very good juice quality among release midlate varieties.

In 2003, CoS 96275 was released for general cultivation in UP.

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