Agri university developing high sugar content varieties

Ludhiana, July 16 (UNI) The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has intensified its research for developing new sugarcane varieties which will have high sugar content.

These varities are also expected to be tolerant to insect pest and can withstand vagaries of adverse weather.

Incharge Sugarcane Research, Dr S Uppal said here today that the new varieties will give a boost to sugarcane production in the state and will help in rejuvenating sugar mills which are facing closure.

Efforts are being made to develop not only early maturing varieties but also mid and late maturing varieties which are high yielding than early varieties. The new varieties will also help to extend the availability of sugarcane over a greater period.

According to Dr Uppal for a sugar mill to be profitable, it must operate for atleast 180 days in a year. To ensure sugarcane availability to mills for longer period, the University is recommending planting of different maturity varieties is the ratio of 3(early): 2 (mid): 1 (late).

UNI