SBIRC – Karnal – ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute

SBIRC - KARNAL

ICAR- SUGARCANE BREEDING INSTITUTE (SBI) REGIONAL CENTRE KARNAL

Historical Background of the Centre

The ICAR- Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Regional Centre, Karnal was established on 1^st day of April 1932 to act as a liaison with the main Institute at Coimbatore, and with a view to securing firsthand knowledge about the performance of various Coimbatore seedlings /canes and their parents under the sub-tropical conditions. This Centre acts as a prism through which main Institute at Coimbatore observes and evaluates the behavior of Co canes under the climatic conditions of North throughout the year. This regional Centre has several landmark achievements to its credit. This Regional Centre is located on the National Highway No.1 about 130 km North of Delhi. The location stands at 29.1-29.50 N and 76.3-77.10 E, at an elevation of 243 m above mean sea level. The climate is sub-tropical with mean maximum temperature ranging between 34-39⁰C in summer and mean minimum temperature ranging between 6-7⁰C in winter.

Initially elites clones selected from Coimbatore were supplied to the Karnal Centre for evaluation under sub-tropical condition and varieties Co 285, Co 312, Co 341, Co 356, Co 419, Co 975, Co 1148, Co 1158 and Co 6425 were identified. Since 1936, the activity of the Centre has been broadened from mere evaluation of seedlings to undertaking full-fledged breeding programme. Four varieties viz., CoK 26, CoK 30, CoK 32 and CoK 41 were released from this programme. Technically, this Centre acts as liaison with its Headquarter to provide information on the performance of various Coimbatore seedlings (Co canes) and their parents in the sub-tropical condition. Therefore, Dr. N. L. Dutt, a former Director of the Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore has vividly said that “the Karnal Centre of the Sugarcane Breeding Institute provides the eyes through which Coimbatore institute observe the behavior of Co canes in the climatic conditions of North India “.

Since the regional Centre Karnal is a part of the Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore, sugarcane varieties released from this Centre after 1961 bears prefix ‘Co’ instead of ‘CoK’. Between 1960 and 1970, a number of elite clones selected from this Centre from seedling progenies were elevated to “Co cane status; of which four Co canes namely, Co 1328, Co 1341, Co 62399 and Co 6618 were released commercially. The release of Co 7717 in 1978 was a landmark in the history of this Centre. By virtue of its high yield and stability over environment farmers described this variety as ‘karjaphadkishm’ (variety for prosperity).

In the recent past the Centre had developed many high yielding and high quality early varieties viz., Co 89003, Co 98014, Co 0118, Co 0238, Co 0239, Co 0124, Co 0237, Co 05011, Co 05009, Co 15023, Co 16030, Co 17018 and Co 18022 which at present have occupied a sizable area under sub-tropics. Among them Co 0238 due to its high cane yield and better sugar recovery proved as game changer variety of subtropical India. It ushered sweet revolution through its sustainable higher cane yield and sugar recovery and helps country in becoming number one in sugarcane productivity among the major sugarcane producer countries. Due to wider adaptability under wide range of climatic condition it occupied > 25 lakh ha area at its peak (2021-22). Despite of knocked down by new race (CF13) of red-rot, still it is the major variety under cultivation in subtropical India. The Centre is rendering valuable services to the farmers and sugar mills. Quality seed production of elite sugarcane varieties was initiated in 1998-99 under a Revolving Fund Scheme and in 2007–08 under the Mega Seed Project of Govt. of India. Till 2016-17 about 3,000-3500 quintals disease free quality seed of high yielding sugarcane varieties was being produced annually and supplied to farmers and sugar mills for cultivation/further multiplication. From 2017-18 onwards progressive farmers of the region were attached with the quality seed production in participatory mode, it resulted in 5-6 times rise in seed production and greater visibility of ICAR-SBI in north India. Seeds are sold during October and during February-March.

Mandate and Objective:

To conduct inheritance studies in sugarcane varietal crosses, sugar yield components, biotic and abiotic stresses in sub-tropical climatic conditions.
To evaluate sugarcane germplasm under sub-tropical conditions and identify potential donors.
To evaluate sugarcane varieties for sub-tropical conditions of the country.
To produce breeder seed of some elite sugarcane varieties.

Research Projects in operation at ICAR-SBI, RC, Karnal

1.Institute Funded Projects

15/1-1 (VII): Breeding superior sugarcane varieties of different maturity with improved cane yield, quality and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses
15/1-1 (xiv) Identification of waterlogging tolerant commercial sugarcane clones suitable for Eastern UP and Bihar
15/1-2 (VI) Evaluation of sugarcane germplasm under sub-tropical conditions
P1-15/2-2: Enhancing physiological efficiency of sugarcane
P2 -15/12-2: All India Coordinated Research Project (Sugarcane)

2.Other Agency Funded Projects

C₁-07/6.1.20: Identification, characterization and verification of new sugarcane varieties for DUS testing (PPVFRA)
C1-07/6-1-21: ICAR seed Project- Seed Production in agricultural crops and fisheries-sugarcane
C1-22/6-1-23: Identification of Climate resilient drought tolerant sugarcane varieties suitable for Haryana state (RKVY)
PPP 23/2-1-1 Improving water use efficiency and economizing water use in sugarcane cultivation in India (ISMA-funded)

Facilities Developed at ICAR-SBI, RC, Karnal

Sugarcane physiology Lab:

A Sugarcane Physiology laboratory was built at ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Regional Centre, Karnal under the project “Physiological approaches for winter ratooning management in sugarcane under subtropical conditions” funded by RKVY, Haryana (budget 100 Lakh). The lab was inaugurated by the Director, ICAR- Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore, Dr. Bakshi Ram on 13.09.2019. To develop this laboratory, 15 instruments viz. atomic spectrophotometer, infra-red gas analyzer, chlorophyll fluorescence meter, leaf area meter, chlorophyll meter, pH meters (2 no.), EC meters (2 no.), weighing balances (2 no.), hot air oven, rotary shaker, double distillation unit, online ups (5kva) were purchased with total cost around Rs. 90 lakh. With these instrument we can estimate and identify various physiological and biochemical parameters of sugarcane which impart tolerance under biotic and abiotic stress. These parameters may be used in devising breeding strategies to develop high yielding abiotic and biotic stress tolerant Co -canes and nutrient efficient clones.

Developed controlled Micro-Plots (48 No.) with Automatic Telescopic Rainout Shelter facility at ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Regional Centre, Karnal under the project “Identification of climate resilient drought-tolerant sugarcane varieties suitable for Haryana state” funded by RKVY, Haryana (budget 242.00 Lakh). These facilities were Inaugurated by Dr. T. R. Sharma, DDG Crop science, on 24.05.2024. With these facilities we can evaluate sugarcane germplasm for their salinity and drought tolerance. Tolerant Co- clones may be recommended for the salt and drought effected area of sugarcane crop. The germplasm may use in devising breeding strategies to develop high yielding abiotic stress tolerant Co -canes. The existing plant physiology laboratory was upgraded with root analysis facilities i.e. Root scanner (Rs. 8.5 Lakh) and microwave digester (Rs. 13.23 Lakh).

Tissue Culture Lab:

The tissue culture facility was established at Regional Centre, Karnal to strengthen the seed production program of the subtropical region. The building was constructed under institutes Breeder Seed project and the lab was equipped from RKVY RAFTAR sponsored project. The capacity of the lab is to produce nearly 15-20 thousand plantlets per year. At present the tissue culture plantlets of varieties Co 0118, Co 15023 and Co 17018 are under production.

Plant Growth Chamber: This unique facility was established under RKVY

RAFTAR, Haryana funded project for the seed production in order to provide ambient climate for faster germination of sugarcane plants in cavity portrays in the off season (winter). After standardizing the temperature, relative humidity and light hours, the ready to transplant stage settlings can be produced within 8-10 days. The facility is extensively utilized in the rapid multiplication of new varieties and healthy seed production of the high demanded popular varieties of the regional Centre, Karnal.

Settlings production and hardening facilities: Seed treatment shed for sizing and treatment of setts, shed net house for hardening of the settlings, customized multi layers racks for vertical storing of settlings in growth chamber and shed net house were developed from RKVY RAFTAAR, Haryana funded scheme. Lakhs of settling and treated single bud setts are being produced every year to augment the centers quality seed production program.

Jaggary production unit: The facility was initially created for making use of the left-over internodes in the settling production activity with the idea of “waste to wealth”. Necessary infrastructure was created and the quality jaggary was manufactured without adding any kind of chemicals for juice clarification. The jaggary was admired and too much liked by the people, which created huge demand for it. Later the experimental canes were also started utilizing in jaggary production. Every year good quantum of jaggary is being prepared for sale.

Licensing of the seed production rights of the varieties: The Institute started to give seed license of its varieties to the seed producers mainly sugar mills towards commercialization of its newly developed varieties. Co 17018, became the first variety got commercialized and its seed license were given to four sugar mills viz., M/s Rana Sugars, Butter Seviyan, Punjab; M/s Uttam Sugars Ltd unit Barkatpur Bijnor, UP; M/s Mawana Sugars, Mawana, Meerut, UP and M/s Avadh Sugars & Energy Ltd unit Seohara, Bijnor, UP. The seed licensing process of another two mills viz., M/s Picadilly Sugar Mill, Bhadson, Haryana and M/s PBS Foods Sugar Pvt Ltd, Chandpur, Bijnor, UP is under progress.