About Us
ICAR-SUGARCANE BREEDING INSTITUTE
Established in 1912 the ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute,Coimbatore is the premier and one of the oldest agricultural institute under the ICAR, Established during 1912. The institute had been largely responsible for meeting the sugarcane varietal requirements of the country for past ten decades with dual mandate of developing improved sugarcane varieties and also supporting the sugarcane breeding programmes of over 23 sugarcane research stations in the country.
ICAR-SBI was one of the first to develop sugarcane tissue culture protocols in India. Several somaclones with modified phenotypes were developed through tissue culture. Co 94012 released in Maharashtra and Karnataka, which has recorded highest sugar recovery ever, is a somaclone of the popular variety CoC 671. Micropropagation protocol for rapid multiplication of the released varieties was developed and the technology was transferred to sugar Industry and commercial tissue culture labs. Institute also developed a protocol for medium term in vitro storage of germplasm. ICAR-SBI had a predominant role in the development of improved sugarcane varieties suited for the different agro climatic conditions of the country. Apart from a large number of prominent varieties developed by the Institute which became popular in both tropical and sub-tropical states, the Institute also contributed towards the development of a large number of location-specific varieties by the State Sugarcane Research Stations through the National Hybridisation Facility. The success of the sugarcane varietal development programmes in India is largely attributable to the effective collaboration between SBI and the State Sugarcane Research Stations.
To meet the growing sugar and energy needs of the country, to provide stability in sugar production and to ensure livelihood security to the sugarcane farmers through the development of improved varieties and cost effective technologies.
1. Breeding of superior sugarcane varieties/ genotypes having high sugar productivity as well as sustainability and to assist State Sugarcane breeding programs.
2. To conduct basic and strategic researches on crop improvement, production and protection aspects of sugarcane.
3. Collection, maintenance, evaluation, documentation and conservation of sugarcane / Saccharum species genetic resources
4. Effecting technology transfer, consultancy and human resource development in the areas of sugarcane agricultural research.
♦ To develop varieties and management technologies for energy needs.
♦ To develop improved crop production and crop protection technologies for making sugarcane cultivation profitable and sustainable.
♦ To conduct basic and strategic researches on crop improvement, production and protection aspects of sugarcane cultivation.
♦ Collection, evaluation, documentation and conservation of sugarcane genetic resources.
♦ To study the impact of climate change on sugarcane agriculture and evolve comprehensive strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
♦ Management of natural resources to ensure long term sustainability of the crop. Effecting technology transfer and human resource development in the areas of sugarcane agriculture and research.
The main Institute has a total area of 89.09 ha including farm, laboratory and office buildings.The farm area is 54.98 ha and is situated in four campuses viz., Main (7.28 ha), ECC (28.50 ha), Additional land (17.20 ha) and VPT (2.00 ha).ICAR-SBI Regional Centre, Karnal has 22 ha,ICAR-SBI Research Centre, Kannur has 8.33 ha and ICAR-SBI Research Centre, Agali has 12 ha.
