report of quinquennial review team...

For Official Use Only

Report

of

QUINQUENNIAL REVIEW TEAM

(2010-2015)

ICAR- Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research

All India Coordinated Research Project on Sugarcane

and

Krishi Vigyan Kendra, ICAR-IISR, Lucknow

Lucknow - 226002

For Official Use Only

Report

of

QUINQUENNIAL REVIEW TEAM

(January 2010 - December 2015)

ICAR- Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research


and

Krishi Vigyan Kendra, ICAR-IISR, Lucknow

Lucknow - 226002

CONTENTS

S. No. Item Page No.

A Introduction 1

B The Review Process 5

C Report : ICAR- Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research 7

i. Brief History and Outstanding Achievements of the Institute 7

ii. Mandate of the Institute 8

iii. Priorities, Programmes and Projects

1. Structure and Organization

2. Management Practices

3. Collaboration with SAUs and other Research

Organizations

4. Linkages with Clients/ End Users

5. Human, Physical and Financial Resources

6. Planning for the Future

9

D Overall Assessment 35

E Consolidated Recommendations 45

C Report: All India Coordinated Research Project on Sugarcane 52

i. Brief History and Outstanding Achievements of the AICRP(S) 52

ii. Mandate of the AICRP(S) 60





Organizations




60



C Report: Krishi Vigyan Kendra, ICAR- IISR, Lucknow 76

i. Brief History and Outstanding Achievements of the KVK 76

ii. Mandate of the KVK 77





Organizations




77



A. Introduction

A.1: The QRT-2010-2014 for ICAR- Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow,

AICRP on Sugarcane, ICAR-IISR, Lucknow and Krishi Vigyan Kendra, ICAR-IISR,

Lucknow was constituted as per the following order of the Council:

F.No. CS.4/3/2009-IA.III Dated: 13th

March, 2015

OFFICE ORDER

The Director General, ICAR is pleased to constitute the Quinquennial Review Team (QRT)

comprising of following members to review the research work done by Indian Institute of Sugarcane

Research, Lucknow, KVK & AICRP on Sugarcane for the period 2010-2014.

1. Dr. J.B. Chowdhury

(Ex. Vice-Chancellor, GBPUA&T, Pantnagar)

X-44, Regency Park-II, DLF-Phase-IV, Gurgaon-122002 (Haryana)

Chairman

2. Dr. N. Vijayan Nair

(Ex. Director, SBI, Coimbatore)

27/23, Akshaya Harini Avenue, E.B. Colony, Vadavalli,

Coimbatore- 641041

Member

3. Dr. D.C. Uprety

(Ex. National Fellow, IARI)

H- 69, Vikaspuri, New Delhi-110018

Member

4. Dr. Menhi Lal

(Ex. HOD, Crop Production Division, IISR)

8/505, Sector-8, Indira Nagar, Lucknow- 226 016

Member

5. Dr. Bachchan Singh

(Ex. Prof. of Agril. Engineering, GBPUA&T, Pantnagar)

4S 1/56, Sector A, Sitapur Road Scheme,

Near Ram Ram Bank Chauraha, Aliganj, Lucknow-226021

Member

6. Dr. Satyavir

[Ex. Dean (Agriculture), CCSHAU, Hisar]

E.G. 15, Aashiyana Garden, Alwar By-Pass, Bhiwadi-301018,

District-Alwar (Raj.)

Member

7. Dr. R.K. Samanta

Ex. Director, MANAGE & NAARM, Hyderabad,

R/o ‘Ashirvad’, 1-11-12,Bhavain Colony, Rajendra Nagar, Hyderabad

Member

8. Dr. P.K. Singh

(w.e.f. 12.10.2015 vide Council’s Order No. CS.4/3/2009-IA.III dated 12.10.2015)

Principal Scientist (Plant Breeding),

Division of Crop Improvement, IISR, Lucknow – 226002

Member

Secretary

FUNCTIONS:-

The QRT shall conduct the review of the work of the IISR, Lucknow, its KVK and AICRP on

Sugarcane keeping in view the relevant guidelines thereon and submit its recommendation on future

research thrusts its report to the Council within 6 months from the issue of this order for further

submission to the Governing Body of ICAR.

PROCEDURE:-

The Member Secretary on the advice of the Chairman of the Review Team will initiate action to

convene the meeting of the Team as early as possible. The Chairman will also inform the Director,

IISR, Lucknow to provide the information required by the Team in regard to the work done or

proposed to be done or other relevant information, as may be required for conducting the review. The

Director, IISR, Lucknow will provide necessary stenographic, technical and administrative assistance

etc. to the QRT member for efficient functioning of the Team and preparation of their report.

The T.A. of the Non-Official Members of the QRT for attending its meeting will be paid by the IISR,

Lucknow in accordance with the relevant rules of the Council.

sd...

(Sujit K. Mitra)

Director (CS)

Tele Fax- 23387121

DISTRIBUTION:-

1- Chairman, QRT for IISR, Lucknow.

2- All members of the QRT-as per list.

3- Director, IISR, Lucknow. The guidelines and terms of references relating to the QRT

may be provided to the Chairman and Members of the QRT. The T.A. of the non-

official members of the QRT will be met by the Institute for which necessary budget

provision in the budget may be made under “other charges” and not under T.A. which

is meant for the staff of the Institute.

4- Sr. Administrative Officer, IISR, Lucknow.

5- Finance & Account Officer, IISR, Lucknow.

6- DDG (CS), ICAR.

7- ADG (CC), ICAR

8- Director (Finance), ICAR.

9- Guard File

A.2 The Director General, ICAR extended the term of the Quinquennial Review Team (QRT)

to review the research work done by Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow, KVK

and AICRP on Sugarcane for the period 2010-2015 (up to December, 2015) instead of

2010-2014 vide office order No. CS.4/3/2009-IA.III dated 19th May, 2016.

A.3: Proceedings of the Planning Meeting of the QRT-2010-2015 for ICAR- Indian

Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow; AICRP on Sugarcane and KVK,

ICAR-IISR, Lucknow

The Planning Meeting of the QRT-2010-2015 for ICAR- Indian Institute of

Sugarcane Research, Lucknow was held in the chamber of Hon’ble Deputy Director General

(Crop Science), ICAR, Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi on 3rd

November, 2015 at 15.30 hrs.

Following officials were present:

1. Dr. J.S. Sandhu

Deputy Director General (Crop Science)

Division of Crop Science, Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi 110 001

2. Dr. J.B. Chowdhury : Chairman, QRT

(Ex. Vice-Chancellor, GBPUA&T, Pantnagar)

X-44, Regency Park-II, DLF-Phase-IV, Gurgaon-122002 (Haryana)

3. Dr. T.K. Srivastava

Director (Officiating), ICAR- Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow

4. Dr. P.K. Singh : Member Secretary, QRT

Principal Scientist (Plant Breeding), ICAR- Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research

Lucknow

At the outset, Deputy Director General (Crop Science) welcomed the Chairman of the

QRT-2010-2015 for ICAR-IISR. Dr. P.K. Singh, Member Secretary presented the brief

account of the Institute and Dr. T.K. Srivastava, Director (Officiating) apprised about the

activities of the Institute.

Discussions were held on the sugarcane research and sugar production scenario of the

country and the probable interventions needed to enhance the production as well as

productivity of this important crop under sub-tropical India. During the discussions,

DDG(CS) pointed out the following areas which need emphasis during the Review by QRT:

1. Scope of newer and better plant ideotypes, which can fit-in the sugarcane production

system of the sub-tropical India as well as enhance the profitability of sugarcane

growers as well as millers.

2. Collaborative efforts among IISR, Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore and

other Sugarcane Research Centres of India.

3. Role of Regional Centre and other Outposts of IISR in future.

4. Development/ promotion of high yielding new varieties in stress affected areas

specially Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh.

5. Scope of biotechnological interventions in developing stress tolerant clones of

sugarcane.

6. Promotion of Seed Cane production on farmer’s field.

7. Development and extension of organic farming of sugarcane coupled with jaggery

production.

8. Increasing linkages among stakeholders of sugarcane production, processing etc.

9. Need based strengthening of Institute and its Centre.

10. Impact assessment of various technologies developed.

B. The Review Process

The Review process followed by the Quinquennial Review Team comprised:

a. In-depth study of Background Information compiled and provided by the Member

Secretary of the QRT.

b. Analysis of the Annual Reports and other Publications of the Institute, AICRP on

Sugarcane and KVK.

c. Detailed discussions on the Presentations by the Director, ICAR-IISR; Project

Coordinator, AICRP on Sugarcane; HoDs of different Divisions of IISR; Head, KVK;

Representatives from different Institutions/ Centres of AICRP(S); etc during the

Meetings at the places indicated below.

d. In-depth study during Field Visits at various places and interaction with scientists

working in different laboratories.

The Review Process was accomplished through following Meetings:

S.No. Date Place of

Meeting

Institutions/AICRP(S) Centres Reviewed

1 November

3, 2015

ICAR, New

Delhi

Planning Meeting with DDG (CS)

2 December

7-8, 2015

ICAR-IISR,

Lucknow

All Divisions, Sections and Units of ICAR-IISR;

AICRP on Sugarcane; KVK; Administration

Visit to Field Experiments and Laboratories

Divisional Review by Members

Visit to Adopted Village of KVK

3 February

15-16,

2016

ICAR-

Sugarcane

Breeding

Institute,

Coimbatore

AICRP(S) Centres from Peninsular-I Zone viz.

ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore;

Agricultural Research Station (UAS, Dharwad),

Sankeshwar; Zonal Agricultural Research Station,

(UAS, Bangalore), Mandya; Sugarcane Research

Station (KAU), Thiruvalla (Kerala); Regional

Sugarcane & Jaggery Research Station (MPKV),

Kolhapur

Field visit of Main Farm of SBI, National

Hybridization Garden, Laboratories etc

Visit to National Distant Hybridization Facility,

Agali

4 February

18-19,

2016

Navsari

Agricultural

University,

Navsari

AICRP(S) Centres from Peninsular-II Zone viz.

ICAR- Main Sugarcane Research Station (NAU),

Navsari; Central Sugarcane Research Station

(MPKV), Padegaon; Zonal Agricultural Research

Station (JNKVV), Powarkheda; Sugarcane

Research Centre (PDKV), Akola; Vasantdada Sugar

Institute, Pune

Visit to Farm

Visit and Meeting with Officials of M/s Gandevi

Sugar Mills, Navsari

Visit to Farms of beneficiaries of Tribal Sub-Plan

under NAU, Navsari

5 March 15-

16, 2016

Regional

Agril.

Research

Station

(ANGRAU),

Anakapalle

(A.P.)

AICRP(S) Centres of East Coast Zone viz. Regional

Agril. Research Station (ANGRAU), Anakapalle

(A.P.); Sugarcane Research Station (TNAU),

Cuddalore (Tamil Nadu); Sugarcane Research

Station,(OUA&T), Nayagarh (Odisha); Sugarcane

Research Station (ANGRAU), Vuyyuru (A.P.)

Field and Laboratory Visit at RARS, Anakapalle

6 April 25,

2016

ICAR-IISR,

Lucknow

AICRP(S) Centres of North West Zone, North

Central Zone & Eastern Zone viz. PAU Regional

Station (PAU), Kapurthala (Punjab); PAU Regional

Research Station (PAU), Faridkot (Punjab); G.B.

Pant University of Agriculture & Technology,

Pantnagar (Uttarakhand); CCSHAU Regional

Research Station, Uchani, Distt. Karnal (Haryana);

UP Council of Sugarcane Research, Shajahanpur

(U.P.); Agricultural Research Station (Agriculture

University), Kota (Rajasthan); Agricultural

Research Station (SKRAU, Bikaner), Sriganganagar

(Rajasthan); SBI Regional Centre, Karnal (under

ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore);

Sugarcane Research Institute (RAU), Pusa (Bihar);

Sugarcane Research Station (Deptt. of Agri.),

Bethuadahari (West Bengal); IISR Regional Centre,

Motipur (Distt. Muzaffarpur); Sugarcane Research

Station (AAU), Buralikson (Assam)

7 April 26,

2016

ICAR-IISR,

Lucknow

Stakeholders’ Meeting with Farmers, Officials from

Central & State Government Sugarcane Development

Departments and Representatives from Sugar Industry

8 April 27,

2016

ICAR-IISR,

Lucknow

Discussions with Institute Management Committee

Preparation of Report

9 May 12,

2016

ICAR, New

Delhi

Meeting with Secretary, DARE & Director General,

ICAR and Deputy Director General (Crop Science),

ICAR

10 June 16,

2016

NASC,

New Delhi

Review of progress during 2015.

Finalization of Report

C. Report : ICAR- Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow

C i. Brief History and Outstanding Achievements of the Institute

In Sixty four years of its existence, IISR has grown into a pioneer Institute in

sugarcane R&D, offering support through its liaison and collaboration with farmers,

sugar factories and other stake holders. After its inception in February 16, 1952 as a

part of Indian Central Sugar Committee, the Institute was taken over by Govt. of India

in January 1954, before coming under Indian Council of Agricultural Research on 1st

April, 1969. The Institute is located in Lucknow, the capital city of Uttar Pradesh and

conveniently situated at about 12 kms from CCS Airport, Amausi and about 5 kms

each from Lucknow Railway Station and Alambagh Bus Station.

The climate of the area is sub-tropical semi-arid type. Monthly average maximum

temperature during April to June ranges from 36 0C to 40

0C and minimum

temperature during November to February ranges from 7 0C to 11.5

0C. The annual

average rainfall is around 880 mm.

The Institute has five full fledged Divisions with a Regional Centre at Motipur, Bihar,

Sugarbeet Breeding Outpost at Mukteswar, Uttarakhand and Biological Control

Centre at Pravaranagar, Maharashtra.

IISR has evolved high yielding and high sugar varieties viz. CoLk 8001, CoLk 8102,

CoLk 94184, CoLk 9709, CoLk 07201 and developed technologies such as IISR-8626

method of planting, Spaced Transplanting Technique (STP), Ring-pit method of

planting, Moist Hot Air Treatment (MHAT) for ensuring disease-free planting

material, Furrow Irrigated Raised Bed (FIRB) planting technique for wheat +

sugarcane system, Skip-furrow method of irrigation, intercropping in autumn and

spring planted plant and ratoon crops, Organic modules for multi-ratooning etc., in the

past.

The equipments developed from the Institute like tractor drawn trench maker, bullock

drawn planter, semi-automatic potato planter, manual hand-bud chipper, juice

sampler, power operated sett cutting machine etc. have gone a long way in reducing

drudgery of operations and labour requirement. Sugarcane cutter planter, Paired-row

sugarcane planter, Raised Bed Seeder and Ratoon Management Device (RMD) have

helped in saving about 60% of the cost of cultivation by overcoming the labour

scarcity and high labour cost to great extent.

DNA fingerprinting and diversity studies in the crop using novel molecular markers

systems like SSCP-SSR and CISP markers, molecular marker identification and QTL

mapping for important economic traits are other areas of research in which Institute

has significant contributions.

A collection of approximately 26,000 tissue-specific ESTs of which 1069 being

specific to red rot has been developed and deposited in GeneBank. Scientists have

developed PCR-based diagnostic kits for detection of incipient infection for red rot

and smut diseases in sugarcane.

The Institute has succeeded in identifying production practices to increase the

productivity of the cane crop through improved planting methods and planting

materials such as Bud Chip and Cane Node technology, improving land, water and

nutrient use efficiencies, better ratoon management and enhancement of ratoon

productivity through improved stubble bud sprouting, improvement in rhizospheric

environment using bio-agents, trash mulching etc, soil health improvement using bio-

manures like press mud and Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus etc.

Biocontrol of diseases through Trichoderma, Aspergillus and use of Trichocards and

release of the larval parasitoid of Cotesia against borers along with a combination of

light trap and pheromones for trapping white grub beetles (IISR- Combo Trap) has

been widely adopted by sugar mills in UP and Maharashtra.

As the sole ICAR Institute working on sugarbeet, IISR has varieties like LS-6 and

IISR Comp-1 to its credit. Keeping in mind the immense scope of this crop as a

supplement to sugarcane especially in salt affected soils, agro-techniques for

tropicalized sugarbeet have also been standardized.

C ii. Mandate of the Institute

Vision

An efficient, globally competitive and vibrant sugarcane agriculture.

Mission

Enhancement of sugarcane production, productivity, profitability and

sustainability to meet future sugar and energy requirement of India.

Mandate

The mandate of the Institute approved by the ICAR in 2001 is:

To conduct basic and applied research on all aspects of production and protection

techniques of sugarcane and other sugar crops particularly sugarbeet for different

agro-climatic zones of the country

To work on the breeding of varieties for sub-tropical region in close collaboration

with Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore

To carry out research for diversification and value addition in sugarcane

To develop linkages with State Agricultural Universities, Research Centres and other

organizations for collaborative research, exchange of information and material, and

To provide training, and consultancy to end users at regional, national and

international levels.

Issues and strategies

To achieve the desired growth in area, productivity and recovery of sugarcane in

different agro-ecological zones of the country and to extend appropriate information

and technologies to the end users, following issues and strategies have been identified

which need to be pursued.

Cane node technology

Issues:

Low levels of cane yield and sugar recovery

High cost of cane cultivation

Decline in factor productivity

Strategies:

Increasing the levels of cane yield and sugar recovery

Introgression of untapped genes in the parental gene pool

Enhancing selection efficiency through marker aided selection (MAS)

Improving sink strength and source efficiency

Enhancing productivity of ratoon cane.

Reducing the cost of cane cultivation

Nutrient use efficiency through rhizospheric engineering and INM technology

Water use efficiency through micro- irrigation

Land use efficiency through companion cropping

Reducing cost of pesticide use in an eco-friendly manner through bio-intensive

Integrated Pest Management and Integrated Disease Management.

Mechanizing sugarcane farming.

Arresting decline in factor productivity

Soil biological and nutritional dynamism

Carbon sequestering through cropping system.

C iii. Priorities, Programmes and Projects

C iii.1. Structure and Organization

Centres

Pravarnagar,Maharashtra(Divisional)

Motipur, Bihar

(Regional)

AICRP(Sugarcane)

20 centres in

16 states

Director

IMC

RAC

Crop Improvement

Crop Protection

Crop

Production

Agril

Engineering

AKMU&

Statistics

Farm ManagementLibrary

Finance &

Accounts

Purchase &

Stores

Establish-

mentPME, ITMU

& RCM

Administration

Agrometeo-logyro

Economics

Research

The organizational set up of the Institute is given in the above Figure.

Divisions

Crop Improvement

Crop Production

Crop Protection

Agricultural Engineering

Plant Physiology & Biochemistry

Service Units / Sections

Research Coordination & Management – Project Monitoring and Evaluation Cell

Library and Reprography

Agro-meteorology Laboratory

Agricultural Knowledge Management Unit

Central Laboratory

Soil-Water-Plant Analysis and Microbiology Lab

General facilities

Juice Analysis Laboratory

Soil Science Laboratory

Arts and Photography

Research Farm

Dispensary

Women’s Cell

Estate and instrument maintenance

Electrical and tube well installation

Civil repair and maintenance

Refrigeration and air conditioning

Instrumentation

Operation and maintenance of vehicles

Regional Centre

ICAR-IISR Regional Centre, Motipur, Muzaffarpur, Bihar

Out Station Facilities

Divisional Bio-control Centre, Pravaranagar, Maharashtra

Sugarbeet Breeding Outpost, IVRI Campus, Mukteshwar, Nainital

C iii.2 Management Practices

Research priorities Identified for the Institute

The RAC and the QRT recommendations help the Institute in setting its priorities.

During the period, the following experts visited the institute and provided their

valuable suggestions.

Dr. A.N. Mukhopadhyay, Ex. Vice Chancellor, AAU, Jorhat Chairman, RAC (2014-17)

Dr. S. Nagarajan, Former Director, IARI & Chairperson

PPV&FRA, New Delhi

Chairman, RAC (2011-14)

Dr. N.N. Singh, Ex Vice-chancellor, BAU, Ranchi Chairman, QRT (2005-09)

Prof. R.P. Sharma, Former Director, NRC On Plant

Biotechnology, New Delhi

Member, RAC (2011-14)

Dr. Bushan L. Jalali, Ex. Director of Research, CCSHAU,

Hisar


Dr. N. Balasundaram, Ex. Director, SBI, Coimbatore Member, RAC (2014-17)

Dr. D.G. Hapse, Ex. Director, VSI, Pune Member, RAC (2014-17)

Prof. Bachchan Singh, Ex. Dean, College of Technology,

GBPUA&T, Pantnagar


Dr. J.P. Mishra, Ex. ADG (ESM), ICAR, New Delhi Member, RAC (2011-14)

Dr. P. Kumar, Ex Prof (Ag. Economics), IARI, New Delhi Member, QRT (2005-09)

Dr. A.S. Patil, Ex. Director (Research & Ext.), VSI, Pune Member, RAC (2014-17)

Dr. O.P. Dubey, Ex ADG (PP), ICAR, New Delhi Member, QRT (2005-09)

Dr. Narayan Rishi, Ex Prof. (Plant Pathology), CCSHAU,

Hisar

Member, QRT (2005-09)

Dr. G.C. Srivastava, Ex Head (Plant Physiology), IARI,

New Delhi


Dr. N. Gopalakrishnan, ADG (CC), New Delhi Member, RAC (2011-17)

Dr. Surendra Singh, Ex. Project Coordinator (FIM), Bhopal Member, RAC (2014-17)

Dr. V.P. Singh, Directorate of Research, Rajendra

Agriculture University, Pusa, Samastipur 848 125 (Bihar)


Dr. M.N. Premachandran, Head, Crop Improvement, SBI,

Coimbatore


Mr. J.L. Jain, General Manager (Cane), Harinagar Sugar

Mills Ltd., Distt. West Champaran 845 103

Mill representative (2014-

17)

Shri Kunwar Ajay Singh, Village Post Sehari

District – Siddharth Nagar (U.P.) 272189

Farmer representative

(2011-14)

Shri Dattatray Bharane, Bharanewadi, Post Antnurne

Tal- Indapur, District – Pune 413106

Farmer representative

(2011-14)

Sh. Krishanpal Singh Rathi, Muzaffarnagar, UP Farmer representative

(2014-17)

As per ICAR guidelines, PME Cell has to prepare a list of 10-15 priorities for the

Institute based on the recommendations of previous RAC and QRT. The priorities

need to be identified in 2 areas: i) Priorities to be fulfilled in collaboration with sugar

mills, KVKs, manufacturers, research institutes, and ii) priorities to be fulfilled at

Institute level. The list of priorities prepared by PME cell and approved in IRC are as

follows:

To be fulfilled in collaboration with sugar mills, KVKs, manufacturers, research

institutes

1. Making a low cost harvester for green cane harvesting suitable to small farm

conditions.

2. Intensification of research in sugar beet beyond breeding work and conducting semi-

commercial scale trials and techno-economic feasibility study in meeting out the

rising demand for ethanol and sugar in collaboration with sugar mills.

3. Conduct agronomical and machine feasibility multi-location large scale trials in

farmers' participatory research mode for the demonstration of

technologies/machineries in all major cane growing sub-tropical states. The

technologies are: IISR low cost technology package for producing 100-150 t/ha in

sub-tropical states, technology for reducing seed rate per ha (cane nodes, STP, Bud

chip), multi ratooning (2-3 ratoons), intercropping, FIRB system, with organic

manures alone, bio-fertilizer efficacy water saving techniques, use of machines and

developing selected villages as IISR Hubs on rotation basis.

4. Carry out action oriented programmes for the management of important diseases (red

rot, sugarcane yellow leaf disease, sugarcane mosaic disease and wilt) and insect-

pests (borers and white grubs) including comprehensive survey in a systematic

manner in all major cane growing states (at least 10% in large and 20% in small

states) to assess the incidence, mapping of hot spots for diseases and insect-pests and

issue periodic advisories based on modern scientific methods/tools/forecasting

models.

5. Taking up seed programme very seriously, and popularize 5 to 10 identified varieties

in selected districts in all major cane growing sub-tropical states in collaboration with

sugar mills and state cane departments.

6. Preparation of a soil fertility profile of the sugarcane growing areas of sub-tropical

India in a time bound manner.

7. Popularize value added jaggery in nutritional programmes of the government by

entering into bi-partite or tri-partite agreements with manufacturers and government

agencies.

8. Carry out impact assessment of technologies being taken up for large scale transfer on

farmers' fields and analyze sugar/jaggery market and policy scenarios at

regional/national/international level.

9. Carry out capacity building of extension functionaries and farmers through relevant

training programs, and entrepreneurship development through agreements and

consultancy services to establish business units.

10. Develop varieties for water logged and flooded conditions of eastern UP and Bihar as

well as varieties suitable for co-generation and ethanol production in collaboration

with SBI, Coimbatore.

To be fulfilled at the Institute level

1. Take up research in emerging areas, such as RNAi technology, novel methods of in-

vitro regeneration, genetic transformation for biotic and abiotic stress resistance, and

gene identification.

2. Fast multiplication of newly released improved sugarcane varieties and periodic

rejuvenation through tissue culture techniques. Ensuring supply of sufficient quantity

of pure and disease-free breeder seed.

3. Development of high yielding/low-cost input-efficient technology package for plant

and ratoon crops with emphasis on seed, fertilizer, chemical, energy and/or labour

economy.

4. Stabilizing plant population and managing tiller mortality in sugarcane through Plant

Growth Regulator - nutrient based technology.

5. Intensification of research work on Trichoderma for studying disease control in

addition to growth promoting properties, with specific reference to red rot

management, growth stimulation and survival under saline conditions.

C iii.3 Collaboration with SAUs and other Research Organizations

MOUs with 8 Universities for collaboration in training and research programmes at

IISR were signed during the review period:

Lucknow University, Lucknow

Indira Gandhi Agricultural University Raipur, Chhattisgarh

Integral University, Lucknow

Mahatma Gandhi University, Meghalaya

Mewarh University, Chittorgarh

CSUAT, Kanpur

Amity University, Lucknow

Sam Higgingbotom Institute of Agriculture and Technology and Sciences

(Deemed University) Allahabad (Former Allahabad Agricultural Institute –

Deemed University, Naini.

Apprenticeship in different traits of Engineering Workshop is provided in

collaboration with Technical Training Institutes of U.P.

C iii.4 Linkages with Clients/ End Users

Seed Cane Production and distribution

For commercialization of newly released varieties from Central Variety Release

Committee several Sugar Factories are linked with the Institute.

Progressive farmers also take active part in Seed Cane Production Chain.

MoUs were signed with Government of Bihar for Seed Cane production under two

Sugar Mills.

Commercialization of technologies

The Institute has signed the following MOUs/MOAs towards the commercialization of

technologies:

Tiwari Agro Industries, Varanasi for manufacturing of equipments developed by the

Institute

Motor & General Sales Ltd., Lucknow for manufacturing of sugarcane planter,

MHAT Plants and various other sugarcane implements

Amit Agro Associates, Rampur for manufacturing of sugarcane planter/cane seed

treatment plants etc.

SKS Country Complex (P) Limited, Buxar for manufacturing of sugarcane planter

Amit Agro Associates, Rampur for manufacturing of sugarcane planter/ cane seed

treatment plant etc.

Gobind Industries (P) Limited, Barabanki for manufacturing of sugarcane planter

Punjab Engineers, Meerut for manufacturing of sugarcane planter

Shubham Agricultural Implements Pvt. Ltd., Sandila for manufacturing of sugarcane

planter

Farm Implements (India) Pvt. Ltd., Chennai for manufacturing of sugarcane planter

Sunlight Foundry, Barabanki for manufacturing of Tractor Operated Raised Bed

Seeder

Gobind Industries (P) Limited, Barabanki for manufacturing of Ratoon Management

Device

Gobind Industries (P) Limited, Barabanki for manufacturing of Pit Digger

Gobind Industries (P) Limited, Barabanki for manufacturing of Two Row Modified

Sugarcane Cutter Planter (Ground Wheel Driven)

Gobind Industries (P) Limited, Barabanki for manufacturing of Two Row Ground

Wheel Driven Raised Bed Planter cum Seeder

Sunlight Foundry, Barabanki for manufacturing of Tractor Operated Two Row

Modified Sugarcane Cutter Planter with Seed Treatment

Sunlight Foundry, Barabanki for manufacturing of Tractor Operated Multipurpose

Equipment (Three Row)

Gobind Industries (P) Limited, Barabanki for manufacturing of Ridger type

Sugarcane Cutter Planter (PTO Driven)

C iii.5 Human, Physical and Financial Resources

Staff Position : Scientific (IISR, Lucknow)

Discipline Principal

Scientist

Senior

Scientist

Scientist Total

SCS CSP SCS CSP SCS CSP SCS CSP

Agricultural Chemistry 1 1

Agricultural Entomology 1 4 3 5 3

Agronomy 1 1 1 3 7 6 9 10

Bio-chemistry (Plant Science) 2 1 2 1

Bio-technology (Plant Science) 1 1 1 2 4 1

Microbiology (Agriculture) 1 1

Nematology (Agriculture) 1 1

Genetics and Plant Breeding 1 1 2 2 7 8 10 11

Plant Pathology 1 1 1 4 5 6 6

Plant Physiology (Ag./Hort. Crops) 1 1 2 2 2 4 4

Soil Science/ Soil

Chemistry/Fertility/Microbiology

1 1 3 1 4 1

Soil Science-Soil Physics/ Soil &

Water Conservation

Agricultural Structure & Process

Engineering

1 2 1 3 1

Electronics & Instrumentation

Farm Machinery & Power 1 2 1 3 4 6 5

Soil & Water Conservation

Engineering

1 1 1 1

Organic Chemistry 1 1

Agricultural Economics 1 2 1 2 2

Agricultural Extension 1 3 2 3 3

Agricultural Statistics 1 1

Computer Application in Agric. 1 1 1 1

Economic Botany 1 1

Total 7 2 13 14 44 37 64 53


Discipline Principal Scientist Senior Scientist Scientist Total


Project Coordinator 1 1 1 1

Agril. Statistics 1 1 1 1

Agronomy 1 1 1 1

Plant Breeding 1 1

Agricultural Entomology 1 1

Sub-Total 1 1 1 3 2 5 3

IISR Regional Station, Motipur, Muzaffarpur, Bihar

Discipline

Principal Scientist Senior Scientist Scientist Total


Agri. Entomology 1 1

Plant Pathology 1 1

Plant Breeding 1 1

Agronomy 1 1

Sub-Total 1 3 4

SCS – Sanctioned Cadre Strength, CSP-Cadre Strength in Position

Technical Staff

Functional Group T-

1

T-

2

T-

3

T-

4

T-

5

T-

6

T- (7-

8)

T-

9

Total

Sanctioned Cadre Strength

Field /Farm Technicians 23 24 2

Workshop Staff including Engg.

Workshop

31 9

Photography Staff 1 3

Laboratory Technicians 18 11

Library / Information/ Documentation

Staff

1 5

Medical and Paramedical 2 1

Press and Editorial Staff 1

Sub-Total 76 53 3

Field / Farm Technicians (Motipur) 1 1

Total 77 54 3

Functional Group T-1 T-2 T-3 T-4 T-

5

T-6 T-

(7-8)

T-9 Total

Cadre Strength in Position

Field /Farm Technicians 21 16 2

Workshop Staff including Engg.

Workshop

24 8

Photography Staff 1 3

Laboratory Technicians 13 10

Library / Information/ Documentation

Staff

1 4

Medical and Paramedical 2 1

Press and Editorial Staff 1

Sub-Total 62 42 3

Field / Farm Technicians (Motipur) 1

Total 62 43 3

Administrative Staff

Designation Sanctioned Cadre

Strength

Cadre Strength in

Position

Senior Administrative Officer 1 1

Finance & Accounts Officer 1 1

Administrative Officer 1

Asstt. Director (Official Language ) 1

Asstt. Finance & Accounts Officer 1

Private Secretary 2 2

Asstt. Administrative Officer 4 4

Security Officer

Personal Assistant 2 2

Assistant 17 16

Steno Grade- III 0 2

Upper Division Clerk 8 8

Lower Division Clerk 10 8

Skilled Supporting Staff 71 22

Upper Division Clerk (Motipur) 1 1

Skilled Supporting Staff (Motipur) 1 1

Total 121 68

Physical Resources

Major Infrastructure available at IISR Lucknow in 2010

Guest House with 06 Suites and 20 Double Bed Rooms

Kisan Hostel for Farmers (52 Beds)

Ikshupuri Colony with Residential quarters for Staff (A type- 45 No., B type- 30 No.,

C type-12 No., D type- 18 No., E type- 06 No. and Directors’ Residence)

Community Centre (with Lawn, Badminton Court, Table Tennis Rooms, etc)

Auditorium (Air Conditioned with 300 seats) along with 02 Conference Rooms

Krishi Vigyan Kendra (well furnished with Training Hall, Sitting Area, etc)

02 No. Conference Halls (80 Seats and 40 Seats)

Dispensary

SBI ATM

Pre-fabricated lab at Mukteshwar

Mist Chamber

Polyhouse

Major Infrastructure created during 2010-2015

Gymnasium at Community Centre

Sports Complex at Ikshupuri Colony

Cafeteria

Online Examination Hall (100 Seats)

General Store at Ikshupuri Colony

Bio-fertiliser Manufacturing Shed

Vermi Compost Shed

Ikshu Hub (Sale Counter for Cane Juice, etc)

Vehicle Parking Shed

Financial Resources (Allocation & Expenditure from 2010-11 to 2015-16)

Non-Plan (Rs in Lakh)

Head

Year

2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16

A. Recurring

i) Pay & Allowances 1659.2 1874.05 1995.17 2182.28 2250.00 2268.42

ii) OTA 0.86 0.43 0.5 0 74.0 0

iii) TA 4.96 61.02 7.82 8.92 14.9 13.0

iv) Contingencies 54.52 151.87 73.17 145.65 120.7 844.48

v) Maintenance Works 53.26 65.4 173.51 206.53 292.2 205.06

Total (A)

1772.81 2152.77 2250.17 2543.44 2751.70 3330.96

B. Non-recurring

i) Equipments 8.92 4.36 9.56 18.88 28.69 16.76

ii)Works 0 0 0 0 0 0

iii) Library 1.00 1.41 0.75 3.59 2.52 1.10

iv) Land 0 0 0 0 0.0 0

v) Vehicles 0.75 0 0 0 0.85 0

vi) Furniture 0 1.81 4.2 11.99 11.22 10.00

vii) Livestock 0 0 0 0 0.0 0

viii) Others 0 0 0 0 0.0 0

Pension 179.28 217.36 175.75 260.33 697.2 950.0

Total B 189.95 224.94 190.26 294.79 740.5 977.86

Total A+B 1962.76 2377.71 2440.43 2838.23 3492.22 4308.82

Allocation 1988.46 2380.00 2483.00 2886.00 3497.50 4326.56

Plan (Rs. in Lakh)

Head

Year

2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16

A. Recurring

i) Pay & Allowances 0 0 0 0 0 0

ii) OTA 0 0 0 0 0 0

iii) TA 8.55 18.41 1.00 0 15.17 21.36

iv) Contingencies 226.20 181.45 244.54 15.39 256.7 378.64

v) Maintenance Works 0 0 12.81 298.09 13.09 0

Total (A) 234.75 199.86 258.35 313.48 284.96 400.00

B. Non-recurring

i) Equipments 82.86 75.56 85.12 0 83.25 32.23

ii) Works 81.03 60 14.81 64.35 96.75 59.94

iii) Library 10.54 0.95 46.12 0 0 0

iv) Land 0 0 0 15.47 0 0

v) Vehicles 0 0 0 0 0 0

vi) Furniture 34.8 0 0 0 0

vii) Livestock 0 0 0 0 0 0

viii) others 0 0 0 0 0 0

Total (B) 209.23 336.37 146.05 79.82 180 92.17

Total A+B 435.43 517.82 390.59 393.3 464.96 492.17

Allocation 444.00 531.68 404.40 397.00 469.00 500.00

C iii.6 Planning for the Future

[Perspective Strategic Plan for the Institute (as per Vision 2050)]

Context:

Indian agriculture is continuously evolving to keep pace with the growing

demand of food, feed, fibre, fuel and other requirements of the stakeholders; besides

being the livelihood security of more than 60% of the Indian population. It is now fast

moving towards ventures of agribusiness initiatives with global implications/reach. In

order to capitalize the new opportunities and to convert weakness into strength, it is

imperative to visualize the shape of agriculture in times to come, how different crops

and other related activities will perform in the situation of ‘Global village’. Sugarcane

is one of the important crops of commerce and it will be one of key determinant of

future Indian agriculture meeting both sugar and energy demands.

A quantum leap in production and productivity of sugarcane is required to

meet the rising internal sugar consumption, exploiting the emerging export market

and to meet the future green fuel requirement of India. To address these emerging

challenges, a proper long term planning encompassing future needs and aspirations in

the light of increasing population pressure, shrinking natural resources and impending

climate change scenario, sustained and all out efforts are needed. Accordingly, a long

term vision is required to chalk out the future goal and a road map to achieve without

dissipating energy, time, resources and manpower. Thus, a need was felt to have a

vision and future road map for the Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow

to remain a key contributor in the Indian agriculture in general and specific to the core

sugar and bio-energy sectors. The vision outlines the aspirations of IISR and has been

prepared after thorough discussions with scientists, Head of Divisions as well as

stakeholders.

Way forward (Future scenario in 2050)

1. Robotics will come in a big way in human life and most of human drudgery of

agriculture may be relieved partly by the robots.

2. Communication revolution will reach a standpoint where every farmer will

maintain a nutritional status of every field of their farm along with hydrological

map and irrigation potential.

3. Clean energy will be a reality by 2050, be it solar energy, wind energy, algal bio-

fuel, nanotech fuel, fusion energy, floating energy island, orbital solar power

through geosynchronous satellites, the options are endless. Even then, the energy

from ethanol will remain at the base of the energy pyramid.

4. Genomics will rule the future crop breeding and eventually for individual farmer/

community/village suitable varieties will be tailored to.

5. A mechanism will be developed to reduce the quantum of CO2 in the atmosphere

and its conversion to utilizable products.

Result Frame-Work Document (RFD)

A new concept of RFD was introduced in all the departments of Central Govt

during January 2011. The RFDs for each financial year (April 01 to March 31) is

being prepared as per the guidelines for that particular year. After preparing the draft

RFDs, it is discussed in the Institute RFD Committee chaired by Director of the

Institute. It is then put up to the Divisional Committee for RFD of the Subject Matter

Divisions (SMDs) for scrutinising, modification and suggestions. After incorporating

the suggestions/modification, it is again submitted to the Nodal Officer, RFD Cell of

the SMDs at ICAR for seeking the approval of the competent authorities (Secretary

DARE and DG, ICAR). After the approval of the competent authority,

monthly/quarterly achievements against each Success Indicator are submitted to

ICAR. Six monthly reports are reviewed at the Institute level and also at SMD level.

Annual achievements are compiled, discussed and approved by the Institute RFD

Committee and are presented before the Divisional RFD Committee of the SMDs at

ICAR. The final composite score for performance rating is worked out at the Institute

level and reviewed at ICAR for performance ranking of the Institutes.

IISR Strategic Plan for implementation of RFD

The IISR Strategic Plan for the period 2012-17 has been finalized and sent to the

Council.

Concept of Flagship Programme

As per emphasis by ICAR that the Institute must have 2 or 3 flagship

programmes during 12th

Five year Plan, the Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research

(IISR), Lucknow developed the following three flagship programmes to reorient its

research activities under these programmes.

Enhancing sugarcane and sugar productivity through improved varieties, high

population density, precision farming, enhanced carbon sequestration, bio-intensive

pest management and molecular interventions.

Improving production efficiency of sugar beet for its agro-utilization.

Mechanization of sugar crop-based cultivation and post-harvest technologies.

Innovation Action Plan

As per RFD Commitments, the Institute has developed the Innovation action

plan. Under this Plan, Institute’s social media page on Facebook was created to get

feedback on its activities from its stakeholders. More than one thousand followers

have joined the official page. The Institute’s activities are being updated on regular

basis.

Outreach Programmes

In order to cover number of states in sub-tropical and tropical region, a

number of activities were carried out in different states by the Institute during the last

five years. Institute has also observed year 2013 as ‘Year of Out-reach’.

Other initiatives

The Institute observed the year 2012 as the year of Excellence, 2013 as a year

of outreach and 2014 as year of innovation.

On-going and completed research projects at IISR during 2010-2015

Division of Crop Improvement

B 1.7: Collection, maintenance, evaluation and documentation of sugarcane germplasm under

sub-tropical conditions (P.K. Singh, Sanjeev Kumar and J. Singh; 01/95 to LT)

B 2.3: Development of sugarcane breeding stocks for high sugar (Raman Kapur and S.K.

Duttamajumder; 11/93-3/14)

B 2.9: Development of top borer tolerant genetic stocks of sugarcane (A.D. Pathak, R.K. Rai,

Sangeeta Srivastava, M.R. Singh and Rajesh Kumar; 3/2000-2/2015, extended upto 03/2020)

B 2.10: Development of sugarcane varieties for moisture deficit environment (Sanjeev

Kumar, J. Singh and P.K. Singh 02/02-2013)

B.2.13: Development of sugarcane varieties for sub-tropics (J. Singh, D.K. Pandey, Sanjeev

Kumar, R.K. Singh (Biotech.) and T.K. Srivastava; 10/2003-LT)

B 2.14: Development of breeding stocks of sugarcane for durable resistance to red rot (D.K.

Pandey, Sunita Lal, J. Singh and Sanjeev Kumar; 10/04 - 10/10, extended upto 10/2014,

reextended upto 03/2017)

B2.15: Developing sugarbeet varieties for Indian agro-climates (A.D. Pathak, Raman Kapur,

S.K. Duttamajumder and Arun Baitha; 09/2008- 09/2013, extended as Long Term Project)

B3.7: Genetic improvement of sugarcane through tissue culture. (Raman Kapur and R.K.

Singh; Duration 08/92 – LT)

B 3.15: Genetic transformation in sugarcane for resistance against borers (R.K. Singh, Raman

Kapur, Sangeeta Srivastava and M.R. Singh, Duration: 10/06 - 09/11)

B 3.16: Optimizing standards for sugarcane seed production through micro propagation (R.K.

Singh, Vijai Singh, J. Singh and A.K. Singh, Duration: 10/06-09/10)

B3.17: Elucidation of species chromosomal complement in sugarcane genotypes under sub-

tropical conditions (Sangeeta Srivastava and A.D. Pathak; Duration: 06/10-05/15, extended

upto 05/2018)

B3.18: Identification and expression analysis of resistance gene analogues against red rot

disease in sugarcane (Sangeeta Srivastava, Ramji Lal, R.K. Singh and M. Swapna; Duration

01/10–12/14, extended up to 03/2018)

B3.19: Mapping of loci linked to sugar content in sugarcane (M. Swapna and D.K. Pandey;

Duration 12/09–03/15, extended up to 03/2020)

B 3.20: Identification and validation of molecular markers for red rot resistance in sugarcane

(R.K. Singh, D.K. Pandey and Sunita Lal, Duration : 04/2013-2016, Revised duration :

04/2015-04/2018)

New: Development of in vitro conservation protocol using slow growth tissue culture

techniques in sugarcane (Sanjeev Kumar, R.K. Singh (Biotech.) and J. Singh, Duration : 03/

15 – 03/18).

New: Profiling and prediction of small RNA transcriptomes in sugarcane inoculated with red

rot pathogen (Sangeeta Srivastava, A.D. Pathak and Dinesh Singh, Duration : 04/ 2015 –

03/2020)

BM 2.16: Development of waterlogging tolerant and red-rot resistant sugarcane clones for

North Central Zone (Devendra Kumar, Sanjeev Kumar and Ramji Lal; Duration 2012-2015)

AICRP(S) projects

B 1.1: Evaluation of early maturing sugarcane clones of North West Zone (J. Singh and D.K.

Pandey; 02/2009 to LT)

B 1.2: Evaluation of mid-late sugarcane clones of North West Zone (J. Singh and D.K.

Pandey; 02/2009 to LT)

B 1.3: Inter-zonal varietal trials under AICRP (S) (A.D. Pathak, 2008- 2009)

B 1(M): Evaluation of sugarcane clones under Zonal Varietal Trials for North Central and

Eastern Zone (Devendra Kumar; 02/2009 to LT)

B 2: Fluff supply programme (Duration: merged with B2.13)

Contract project

CR-1/08 Evaluation of sugarbeet hybrids (A.D. Pathak, R.L. Yadav, D.V. Yadav, Raman

Kapur, S. Solomon, S.K. Duttamajumder and R.K. Tiwari, Duration : 10/08-09/10)

Externally funded projects

DBT -1/09: Development of SSR markers for red rot resistance from EST database of

sugarcane (R.K. Singh, Sangeeta Srivastava, S.K. Dattamajumder, M. Swapna and Raman

Kapur, Period: 01/09-01/12)

DBT: RNA seq for SNP mining and linkage mapping in sugarcane (Nandita Banerji, Period:

2014-2017, Budget Rs. 45,85,000)

Bihar Sugarcane Seed Project (A.D. Pathak, Duration : 03.13-03/18)

Central Sector Scheme for PPV & FRA (J. Singh and P.K. Singh, 2006-LT)

ICAR Network project

ICAR Seed Project “Seed production in Agricultural Crops (Sanjeev Kumar and P.K. Singh,

2012-2017)

Network project on Transgenics in crops (NPTC)

Sub project ICAR-NPTC-3087 (PI: Dr. R.K. Singh, Crop : Sugarcane) Budget Rs,. 98.49

lakh (2015-17)

Crop Production Division

A 1.2.27: Developing efficient water application techniques in sugarcane (A.K. Singh, T.K.

Srivastava, Akhilesh K. Singh and S.N. Singh; Duration : 2/2010- 1/2014)

A 1.2.28: Deep tillage under different moisture regimes and N levels for modifying

rhizospheric environment and improving sugarcane yield in plant-ratoon system (S.K.

Shukla, Akhilesh Kumar Singh and Rajendra Gupta; Duration 3/10– 3/14)

A 1.2.29: Tillage techniques in plant ratoon system for improving soil health and increasing

sugarcane yield in sub-tropical Indian (S.K. Shukla, Akhilesh K. Singh and Rajendra Gupta;

Duration: 03/12-03/16)

A 2.31: Effect of bio-manuring on sugarcane productivity and soil properties under plant and

subsequent ratoons (K.P. Singh, T.K. Srivastava and Puspha Singh; Duration 3/03– 03/13)

A 1.2.30: Yield maximization through optimizing shoot population density (T.K. Srivastava,

A.K. Singh and Ishwar Singh; Duration: 02/12-03/15)

A 1.1.31: Standardization and optimization of cane node technology for sugarcane planting

(S.N. Singh and T.K. Srivastava; Duration 2/12-03/14)

A 2.31: Effect of biomanuring on sugarcane productivity and soil properties under plant and

subsequent ratoons (K.P. Singh, T.K. Srivastava and Puspha Singh; Duration 3/03– 07/13)

A 3.23: Optimizing plant population density in sugarcane plant-ratoon system (S.N. Singh,

R.L. Yadav and Todi Singh; Duration 2/07– 04/11)

A 7.1: Developing efficient statistical design for conducting weed control experiments in

sugarcane (T.K. Srivastava and PK. Bajpai; 2/10-3/13)

C 6.6: Optimization of fertigation schedule in drip irrigated sugarcane under subtropical

conditions (Rajendra Gupta and D.V. Yadav; Duration 10/09 - 09/13)

C 15.8: Studies on rhizospheric environment of pant and ratoon crop of sugarcane (R.L.

Yadav, Archana Suman, R.K. Rai and Pushpa Singh; Duration 2008-2011)

ET 1.12: Documentation and confirmation of indigenous technical knowledge under

sugarcane based cropping systems (Kamta Prasad, T.K. Srivastava, K.P. Singh, Rajendra

Gupta, and A.K. Sah; Duration : 1/12-12/15)

ET 1.13: Assessment of sugarcane cultivation machines (RMD and RBS-cum planter) on

farmers field (A.K. Sah, Akhilesh.K. Singh, Kamta Prasad and R.K. Singh; Duration : 09/12-

09/15)

ET 1.14: Entrepreneurship development for sugarcane seed production and multiplication

(A.K. Sah, S.N. Singh, Kamta Prasad, S.C. Mishra, Sanjeev Kumar and Hema Pandey;

Duration : 10/12-10/16)

New: Modulating application of IISR sugarcane production technologies for harnessing

production and productivity potential in farmers' field perspective (R.S. Dohare, T.K.

Srivastava, Rajesh Kumar, Ishwar Singh, S.N. Singh and M.R. Singh, Duration : 04/15—

3/20)

A 2.35: Assessment of soil fertility status of sugar mill command areas of sub-tropical India

(T.K. Srivastava and K.P. Singh; Duration : 03/12-04/14)

A 2.36: Assessing nutrient interactions for sustaining sugarcane productivity and soil health

(R.R. Verma, Ishwar Singh and R.K. Rai : 02/13-03/16)

A 1.2.30: Rationalizing irrigation water use in sugarcane through optimizing field application

parameters, (A.K. Singh, Rajendra Gupta and Pushpa Singh; Duration : 11/13- 10/15)

Expl. Trial Studies on soil-crop-weather data sety for simulation of MOSICAS sugarcane

growth model with reference to nitrogen nutrition (A.K. singh, D.V. Yadav and P.N. Singh,

Duration : 2009-2012)

Recently approved Institute projects

Soil quality assessment under different sugarcane growing systems (S.R. Singh, T.K.

Srivastava, Ishwar Singh, R.R.Verma, Pushpa Singh, S.N. Singh, A.K. Singh (Agron.) and

R.S. Dohare; Duration : 03/2015-03/2018)

Sugarcane productivity in relation to initial soil organic carbon content and nutrient New

management in sub-tropical inceptisol (T.K. Srivastava, S.R. Singh, Pushpa Singh, K.P.

Singh and R.R. Verma Duration : 03/ 2015-03/ 2018)


MWR-1/08: Farmer’s participatory action research on water use efficient technologies for

improving productivity and sustainability of sugarcane (T.K. Srivastava, R.P. Verma, A.K.

Sah, Kamta Prasad, Rajendra Gupta and K.P. Singh, Duration: 01/08-03/11)

DST: Carbon sequestration potential of sugarcane based cropping system for sustaining crop

health and crop productivity in Uttar Pradesh (S.K. Shukla, T.K. Srivastava, Pushpa Singh,

R.K. Rai and P.K. Bajpai; Duration: 2012-15, Budget Rs. 67.204 lakh)

UPCAR: Evaluation of microbial mapping and their correlation on productivity, plant and

soil health in major cropping systems of Uttar Pradesh (S.R. Singh, Duration 2014-17,

Budget Rs. 17.963)

UPCAR: Evaluation of new herbicide for major sugar crops with special reference to

sugarbeet in relation to weed dynamics, control efficiency and sugar productivity (A.K.

Singh, Duration 2014-17, Budget Rs. 14.993)

IARI-IISR DBT-1/10: Development of plant growth promoting microbial consortium for

rice-wheat sugarcane cropping system (Archana Suman,R.L. Yadav and K.P. Singh,

Duration: 11/10-04/12)

ICAR Network project

Studies on rhizospheric microbial diversity in relation to different sugar profile varieties for

growth promotion and disease management under AMAAS Programme (Dinesh Singh,

Ramji Lal and S.R. Singh, Duration: 2014-17, Budget Rs. 20.00 lakh)

AICRP(S) projects

AS-42: Agronomic evaluation of promising genotypes of sugarcane (S.K. Shukla and Ishwar

Singh; Duration : LT)

AS-58: Improving productivity of winter initiated ratoon of sugarcane in sub-tropical India

(R.S. Chauhan and S.N. Singh; Duration : 02/07-02/11)

AS-59: Effect of sub-soiling on soil physico-chemical characterization and sugarcane

productivity (A.K. Singh, P.N. Singh and Akhilesh Kr. Singh; Duration: 02/08-03/12)

AS-60: Studies on seed cane economy in sugarcane cultivation (S.N. Singh, Radha Jain and

Todi Singh)

AS-61: Optimizing irrigation schedule in sugarcane under different planting methods

(Ishwar Singh, Duration : 02/09-03/13)

AS-62: Management of binding weeds in sugarcane (R.S. Verma and R.S. Chauhan,

Duration : 02/09-01/13)

AS 63: Plant geometry in relation of mechanization in sugarcane (A.K. Singh, T.K.

Srivastava, K.P. Singh and Akhilesh Kumar Singh; Duration : 2011-2013)

AS 64: Response of sugarcane crop to different plant nutrients in varied agro-ecological

situations (C. Gupta, S.N. Singh, S.K. Shukla and A.K. Singh; Duration : 2011-2014)

AS 65: Enhancing sugarcane productivity and profitability under wheat-sugarcane cropping

system (Ishwar Singh and S.N. Singh; Duration : October 2012-June 2015)

AS 66: Priming of cane node for accelerating germination (S.N. Singh and T.K. Srivastava;

Duration: 2012-2013)

AS 67: Optimization fertigation schedule for sugarcane through micro-irrigation technique

under different agro-climatic conditions (Rajendra Gupta, S.K. Shukla and C. Gupta;

Duration : 2012-2014)

Contract research project

FMC: Evaluation of sulfentrozone 48%F for weed control in sugarcane (A.K. Singh, T.K.

Srivastava and S. Solomon; Duration : 2012-2014, Budget Rs. 7.5 lakh)

Sri Ram (DSCL) The Effect of sugaring on yield and quality of sugarcane crop in

composition with bentonite S. sulfozinc and calcium nitrate (S.N. Singh, T.K. Srivastava, V.

Visha Kumari and S. Solomon; Duration: 2012-2014, Budget Rs. 5.0 lakh)

DF & PCCL Studies on the effect of Zinc bensulf on yield and quality of sugarcane (R.R.

Verma, S. Solomon, S.N. Singh and V. Visha Kumari; Duration: 2013-2015, Budget Rs. 6.0

lakh)

Nagarjuna Effect of NP production growth yield and quality of sugarcane in sub- tropical

India Fertilizers (S.K. Shukla, T.K. Srivastava and S. Solomon Duration : October 2012-

March 2014, Budget Rs. 10.0 lakh)

Jain: Enhancing water and nutrient use efficiency through drip irrigation and fertigation in

irrigation spring planted sugarcane under sub-tropical condition (Rajendra Gupta and S.N.

Singh; Duration: 2012-2014, Budget Rs. 6.0 lakh)

NRDC: Performance evaluation of Pusa Hydrogel in sugarcane (Ishwar Singh, T.K.

Srivastava and R.R. Verma; Duration: 2013-2014, Budget Rs. 1.0 lakh)

CSMCRI: Evaluation of crop nutrition potential of seaweed saps on sugarcane (Plant and

ratoon) (Ishwar Singh, S. Solomon, T.K. Srivastava, S.K. Shukla and R.K. Rai; Duration :

2012-2013, Budget Rs. 14.2 lakh)

CSMCRI: Response of seaweed saps and potassic fertilizer in sugarcane yield (Ishwar Singh;

Duration : 03/15-03/16, Budget Rs. 5.0 .lakh)

Bioefficacy and phytotoxicity of herbicide UPH 114 B against weeds in sugarcane and its

effect on soil health (V.P. Singh; Duration : 2015-2017)

Crop Protection Division

M 2.14: Pathotype formation in Colletotrichium falcatum in relation to breakdown of

resistance in cane genotype (S.K. Dattamajumder, S.C. Misra and Sangeeta Srivastava;

Duration 2/09 - 3/14)

M 2.15: Development of red rot in standing cane through sett borne infection (S.C. Misra and

S.K. Dattamajumder; Duration 2/09 - 3/12)

M 15.3: Management of red rot of sugarcane through bio-agents (V. Singh and Ramji Lal;

Duration 2004-12/10)

M 15.4: Management of red rot through modulating host resistance (Ramji Lal, Sangeeta

Srivastava, S.K. Shukla, Radha Jain and Sanjeev Kumar; Duration 8/09 – 7/13)

M 15.5: Management of red rot through fungal endophytes in sugarcane (Sunita Lal and R.K.

Singh; Duration 11/08 – 11/13)

M 15.6: Enhancing efficacy of Trichoderma based red rot management system (Deeksha

Joshi, A.K. Singh and Pushpa Singh; Duration: 04/12-03/17)

M 15.7: Mass multiplication of Trichoderma on cheaper substrates and development of

suitable delivery system for disease management in sugarcane (A.K. Singh and Deeksha

Joshi; Duration : 04/12-03/17)

M 17: Evaluation/screening of sugarcane germplam/genotypes against red rot pathogen (HoD

Crop Protection and Ram Ji Lal; 2002 to LT)

M 20.1: Genome sequencing of red rot pathogen (S.K. Duttamajumder, Amaresh Chandra,

R.K. Singh, Deeksha Joshi amd Nithya, K; Duration : 09/12-02/17).

M 5.9: Molecular characterization of yellow leaf disease in sugarcane (S.K. Holkar, Arun

Baitha and Sanjeev Kumar (Biotech.), Duration: 03/2015-03/2020)

EM 01: Survey and surveillance of insect-pests and diseases of sugarcane in sub-tropical

India (Head, Division of Crop Protection and all scientists of the Division; 4/06-LT)

E11.1: Development of techniques for laboratory mass multiplication of top borer and its

parasitoids (M.R. Singh; Duration: 02/06 -3/12)

Ento 15.1: Containment of major insect-pests of sugarcane through habitat modifications

(Arun Baitha and M.R. Singh; Duration: 4/12 -3/17)

Ento 15.2: Semiochemicals for the management of sugarcane top borer (M.R. Singh and

Arun Baitha; Duration: 3/12-2/17)

E 4.1: Evaluation of varieties/genotypes for their reaction against insect pests (M.R. Singh;

Duration 2--3-LT)

E 4.2(ii): Colonization of parasitoids for management of top borer Scriphophaga excerptalis

Walker (Arun Baitha and G.M. Tripathi; Duration 10/08 - 3/11)

E 4.2(iii): Bio-management of termites in sugarcane (S.N. Sushil, G.M. Tripathi and Deeksha

Joshi; Duration 8/09 - 3/13)

E 4.2(iv): Bio-intensive management of white grubs in sugarcane (S.N. Sushil and Deeksha

Joshi; Duration 8/09 - 3/14)

E 4.2.1(iv): Development of high temperature tolerant strain of Trichogramma chilonis and

Trichogramma japonicum (Arun Baitha, Duration 10/05 - 9/10)

Ento 2.1: Mechanism of resistance against top borer in sugarcane (M.R. Singh, A. Chandra

and A.D. Pathak; Duration : 4/12-3/17)

Ento 11.1: Development of techniques for laboratory mass multiplication of the borers and its

parasitoids (M.R. Singh; Duration: 02/06-03/12)

Ento 11.2: Development of techniques of mass multiplication of larval parasitoids for

management of sugarcane top borer (Arun Baitha and M.R. Singh; Duration: 04/12-03/17)

AICRP (S) projects

PP 14: Identification of pathotypes in red rot pathogen (Ramji Lal and S.K. Dattamajumder;

Duration 2002-LT)

PP 17: Evaluation of varieties/genotypes against red rot, smut and wilt (S.K. Dattamajumder,

Ramji Lal and S.C. Misra; Duration 1984-LT)

PP 22: Survey of sugarcane diseases naturally occurring in the area on important varieties

(Ramji Lal; Duration -LT)

E 27: Mass multiplication of potential bio-agents of sugarcane insect-pests (A. Baitha;

Duration 2003-LT)

E 30: Monitoring of insect pests and bioagents in sugarcane agro-eco system (M.R. Singh and

A. Baitha; Duration 2006-LT)

E 32: Population dynamics of sugarcane borers (early shoot borer, top borer, internode borer

and stalk borer) through pheromone traps (M.R. Singh, Duration 2009-LT)

Network project

OP 1/09: Outreach programme in network mode on Diagnosis and management of leaf spot

diseases of field and horticultural crops (IISR Centre component, mandated crop- sugarcane,

pathogen: Colletotrichum falcatum Duration : 2007-2014 (CCPI – Sunita Lal)

Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Division

PB-18: Improving juice uality and stubble bud sprouting in sugarcane under low temperatures

(A.K. Shrivastava, S. Solomon, R.K. Rai, Pushpa Singh, Radha Jain and Rajesh Kumar,

Duration 03/04--03/11)

PB-21: Idenification of inhibitors in sugarcane biomass hydrolyzates and their effect on

ethanol yields (Pushpa Singh and A.K. Shrivastava, Duration : 04/08 - 03/11)

PB-19: Management of post-harvest deterioration of sucrose in sugarcane (S. Solomon,

Raman Banerji and Pushpa Singh, Duration 03/04--03/11)

PB-22: Physio-biochemical studies concerning survival and establishment of bud chip under

normal and encapsulated conditions (Radha Jain, S. S.olomon and A.K. Shrivastava

Duration 4/08-3/13)

PB-23: Optimization of plant population for improving physiological efficiency of sugarcane

(R.K. Rai, A.K. Shrivastava, R. Banerji, A. Chandra, Pushpa Singh, S. Solomon and Radha

Jain; Duration 2/10-3/15, extended upto 03/2017)

PB-24: Modulating the expression of sucrose metabolizing enzymes for high sucrose

accumulation in sugarcane (Radha Jain, A. Chandra and S. Solomon; Duration 10/09 - 3/14)

PB-26: Developing a technology for preservation & packaging of sugarcane juice (R. Banerji,

A. Chandra, S.I. Anwar and S. Solomon; Duration: 04/12-03/15)

PB-27: Molecular study to reveal transcriptomes and genes associated with sucrose (GAS)

transport and accumulation in sugar (A. Chandra, Radha Jain and S. Solomon; Duration :

04/12-03/17)

PB-28: Minimizing post- harvest sucrose deterioration and its molecular assessment (S.

Solomon, A. Chandra and Radha Jain; Duration: 04/12-03/15)


Functional genomic analysis of differential accumulation of sucrose targeting genes of

invertase, sucrose synthase and sucrose phosphate synthase and their impact on source-sink

relationships in sugarcane (DST, New Delhi) (SERB/SR/SO/PS/36/2012)

Post –harvest formation of polysaccharides and non-sugar compounds in sugarcane at low

and high temperatures and their impact on sugar recovery (DST, New Delhi).

Down regulation of soluble acid invertase gene to minimize post-harvest sucrose loss through

RNAi technology (DST-Women Scientist Project) (SRI/WOOS-A/LS 308/2013)

Inter-institutional project

Screening and identification of sugarcane lines tolerant to water-logging and their physio-

biochemical investigation

Contract Research project

Effect of silica granules on growth, yield and juice quality parameters of sugarcane (Privi

Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd., Navi Mumbai)

Effect of Biodeg products on biochemical attributes, cane yield and juice quality of sugarcane

(Biodeg Chemical & Allied Industry & Kemtech Polymers, New Delhi)

Agricultural Engineering

AE 1.22: Development of a wide spaced paired row sugarcane cutter planter (A.K. Singh,

A.C. Srivastava and Jaswant Singh; Duration 12/08-11/11, extended upto 11/2012)

AE 4.5: Evaluation and refinement of sett cutting mechanism of sugarcane planters (R.D.

Singh, R.K. Pangasa and P.R. Singh; Duration 3/08-4/12, extended upto 02/14)

AE 8.1: Design and development of residue mulcher-cum-bio-applicator (P.R. Singh, S.K.

Shukla and A.C. Srivasastava, Duration 09/07-02/12)

AE 9.1: Design refinement of sugarcane-cum-potato planter (P.R. Singh, Rajendra Gupta and

A.K. Singh; Duration 7/12 – 6/15)

AE 1.51: Development of tractor operated sugarcane manager (P.R. Singh, A.K. Singh,

Rajendra Gupta and T.K Srivastava); Duration 4/12 – 12/14)

AE 1.9E: Development of sugarcane harvester (A.K. Singh, M.P. Sharma and Jaswant Singh;

Duration: 08/06- 4/10)

AE 1.9F: Development of sugarcane harvester for small farms (A.K. Singh and P.R. Singh;

Duration: 3/12- 2/16)

New: Development of modified furrower type sugarcane cutter planter (A.K. Singh and R.D.

Singh, Duration: 03/2015 - 03/2018)

AICRP on Farm Implements & Machinery activities

Prototype manufacturing workshop

Manufacturing of prototypes for conducting multi-location trials

Prototype feasibility trials (PFT)

TAF combine harvester (P.R. Singh and A.K. Singh; Duration 10/10 to 09/13)

Three row rotary weeder (A.K. Singh and P.R. Singh; Duration 10/11 to 09/13)

IISR tractor operated sugarcane harvester (A.K. Singh, M.P. Sharma and Jaswant

Singh)

IISR power operated sugarcane detrasher (A.K. Singh, M.P. Sharma and Jaswant

Singh)

Zero trill drill (Rajendra Gupta, P.R. Singh and R.K. Pangasa)

Front line demonstration (FLD)

IISR tractor operated ratoon management device (RMD) (A.C. Srivastava, P.R. Singh

and A.K. Singh; Duration 04/09 to 03/13)

Zero till drill (P.R. Singh and A.K. Singh; Duration 04/09 to 03/13)

IISR Raised bed seeder cum sugarcane planter (A.K. Singh, M.P. Sharma and Jaswant

Singh)

IISR tractor operated raised bed seeder-cum-sugarcane planter (P.R. Singh and A.K.

Singh; Duration 05/09 to 04/15)

IISR tractor operated three row sugarcane planter (P.R. Singh and A.K. Singh;

Duration 10/11 to 04/16)

IISR modified 3-row cane planter (P.R. Singh and A.K. Singh; Duration 10/11 to

04/16)

IISR tractor operated paired row sugarcane planter (A.K. Singh and P.R. Singh;

Duration 10/11 to 04/15)

Externally funded project

JISL: Enhancing water and nutrient use efficiency through drip irrigation and fertigation in

spring planted sugarcane under sub-tropical conditions (Rajendra Gupta and S.N. Singh,

02/12 to 02/14)

Jaggery Unit

AE 7.6.2: Development of a jaggery furnace with efficiency boosting device (S.I. Anwar and

P.R. Singh; Duration : 4/12- 3/15, Extended upto 03/2017)

AE 7.6.3: Optimization of parameters for shelf life enhancement of jaggery under modified

atmosphere packaging (Dilip Kumar and Jaswant Singh; Duration: 4/12 – 3/15)

Optimizing packaging method for enhancing shelf life of granular jaggery (Prasoon Verma,

Duration: 03/15 – 3/17)

AICRP on Post-harvest Technology

LKO/PHTS/07/2: Development of small capacity cane crushing unit for household purpose

(Jaswant Singh and Dilip Kumar; Duration: 12/06 -03/13)

LKO/PHTS/07/5: Refinement of 3-roller horizontal power driven crusher developed at IISR

(S.I. Anwar and Jaswant Singh; Duration: 12/06 -03/13)

LKO/PHTS/07/7: Development of a solaar drier for jaggery drying (Jaswant Singh, R.D.

Singh and Dilip Kumar; Duration: 12/06 -03/13)

LKO/PHTS/08/1: Evaluation of shrink-wrap, stretch warp and modified atmosphere

packaging for storage of jaggery cubes and blocks (R.D. Singh, Jaswant Singh and

S.I.Anwar; Duration: 12/06 -03/13)

LKO/PHTS/11/01: Evaluation of jaggery furnaces (single, double & triple pan) for emission

of green house gases and level of bagasse combustion (S.I. Anwar, R.D. Singh & Jaswant

Singh; Duration: 04/11-03/14)

LKO/PHTS/11/02: Refinement of Juice Extraction Process with special reference to

sugarcane cleaning and juice filtration for 100 kg jaggery/8 hrs (Jaswant Singh, S.I. Anwar

& R.D. Singh; Duration: 04/11-03/14)

LKO/PHTS/11/03: Development/adoption of evaporator for sugarcane juice (R.D. Singh,

Jaswant Singh and S.I. Anwar; Duration: 04/11-03/14)

LKO/PHTS/11/04: Development of power operated jaggery moulding machine (Jaswant

Singh, R.D. Singh & S.I. Anwar; Duration: 04/11-03/14)

LKO/PHTS/11/05: Development /Adoption of suitable mixer for production of value-added

jaggery using aonla as a Natural Source of Vitamin-C (S.I. Anwar, R.D.Singh and Jaswant

Singh; Duration: 04/11-03/14)

LKO/PHT-I/2011: Optimization of parameters for shelf life enhancement of jaggery under

modified atmosphere packaging (Dilip Kumar and Jaswant Singh; Duration: 04/12-03/15)

Externally funded project

LKO/PHTS/12/0: Assessment of post harvest losses in different crops and commodities

Funding Agency: Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Govt. of India. (Jaswant Singh,

R.D. Singh, S.I. Anwar and Dilip Kumar; Duration: 04/12 – 03/15)

Agro-meteorology

AM 3: Compilation, analysis and documentation of long term weather data base in relation to

sugarcane crop culture (Arun Kumar Srivastava, P.K. Bajpai and S.S. Hasan; Duration: 3/00

– LT)

AM 5: Impact of climate change on sugarcane insect-pests’ dynamics and behaviour. (Arun

K. Srivastava, Rajesh Kumar, M.R. Singh and S.N. Sushil; Duration: 04/12-03/16)

ICAR Network Project

Climate change on assessment of impact of climate change on productivity and quality of

sugarcane in sub-tropical India and opportunities of agronomic adaptation (Arun K.

Srivastava, Ashok K. Shrivastava and S.N. Singh, Duration : 2007-12)

IISR/ NICRA: Assessment of Impact of climate change on productivity and quality of

sugarcane and opportunities of adaptation under sponsored grant component of NICRA

Economics & Statistics and Agricultural Knowledge Management Unit (AKMU)

AES 4.8: Data warehouse on sugarcane production system (S.S. Hasan, P.K. Bajpai and

Rajesh Kumar; Duration: 01/06 – 03/11)

AES 4.10: Development of Decision Support Tools in Sugarcane Cultivation (S.S. Hasan,

Rajesh Kumar, S.K. Shukla, A.K. Sah and Arun Baitha; Duration: 01/08 – 12/13)

AES 4.11: Developing a database and analyzing contribution of sugarcane in Indian economy

(A.K. Sharma, R.L. Yadav, D.V. Yadav and Hema Pandey, Duration: 01/08 – 03/11)

AES 4.12: Developing efficient sugarcane marketing strategies in India (A.K. Sharma. and

M.R. Verma; Duration: 4/10- 3/13)

AES 4.14: Geographic information system of sugarcane and sugar in India (Rajesh Kumar,

S.S. Hasan and P.K. Bajpai; Duration : 03/12 – 2/15, extended upto 03/2018)

AES 4.15: Development of data mining and presentation tools in sugarcane (S.S. Hasan, P.K.

Bajpai L.S. Gangwar and Rajesh Kumar; Duration: 04/12 –03/15, extended upto 03/2018)

AES 4.16: Estimation of optimum sample size for evaluation and prediction of cross-

performance (P.K. Bajpai, J. Singh, Rajesh Kumar and S.S. Hasan; Duration : 3/12-2/15)

AES 4.17: Use of reflective remote sensing for disease surveillance, nutritional disorder and

yield prediction in sugarcane (Rajesh Kumar, A.K. Srivastava, S.K. Duttamajumder, P.K.

Bajpai, R.K. Rai and S.S. Hasan; Duration: 3/12-2/15)

Exploratory: Analysis of Indian sugar export scenario (A.K. Sharma, Duration: 2011-12)

Exploratory: Study of global factors responsible for sugar production and price fluctuations

(A.K. Sharma, Duration: 2011-12)

New: Economic analysis of integrated sugar and energy production complexes in India (Dr.

L.S. Gangwar, Dr. S.S. Hasan and Dr. A.K. Sah, Duration : 03/2015-03/2020)

New: Impact assessment of sugarcane research and extension in India (A.K. Sharma, T.K.

Srivastava, A.K. Singh, S.K. Duttamajumder, A.D. Pathak, A.K. Shrivastava and M.R.

Singh., Duration : 04/15 – 03/20)

D. Overall Assessment

D 1. General

The perusal of the Background Information provided to the QRT-2010-2015 indicated

extensive research work carried out during the reporting period which is evident from

the following data:

Research Projects : 163 (including Institute projects, AICR Projects, Contract

Research Projects, Externally funded Projects, Network Projects etc)

Research Papers Published: 291

Books and Book Chapters: 121

Seminar/ Symposia/ Conference Participation: 452

Technical/ Popular Articles: 184

Patents Filed: 01

Sequence submitted to GenBank: 01

Varieties Released/ Identified: 02

Germplasm Registered: 01

Varieties Accepted for AICRP(S)/ State Varietal Trials : 48

Novel Genetic Stocks sent to NHG: 53

Prototypes Fabricated: 88

Prototypes supplied: 58

Seed Cane Produced: 51935 q IISR, Lucknow; 35700 q Bihar Seed Project

With 53 scientists in position out of sanctioned cadre strength 64 at the Institute, the

work done is significant and reflects commendable research activities of the Institute.

But it is pertinent to analyze whether academic work is being transformed into farmer

centric technologies or not?

It was felt that the vacancies of scientific staff should be filled-up urgently through

ARS Examination to infuse fresh energy into the system.

The distribution of scientists to different Units/ Sections other than 05 major

Divisions seems to be arbitrary resulting into thinning of resources. In the era of Inter-

disciplinary approach, this kind of isolated research needs reorientation.

Major emphasis should be laid on collaborative research to avoid duplication of work

and to achieve goals in shorter time span. Some of the programs which can be

initiated in collaboration with ICAR-SBI, Coimbatore and other Research

Institutions are:

Mechanization: The collaboration in the field of mechanization of sugarcane

cultivation through development of area specific machinery can be taken up.

Projects based on Climate Change: There is a need to develop mega projects

on issues related to climate change. Both SBI and IISR can collaborate in

specifically broadening genetic base of varieties which can suitably replace

existing varieties in future. The extensive database management with regard to

climate change factors also need collaborative efforts.

Mapping of Red Rot Races: Even though there has been no major incidence

of Red Rot, mainly due to stringent varietal screening and release norms,

sporadic incidences of Red Rot are still a problem. This reduces the life span

of high yielding and high sugar varieties. Thus, there is a need to Map the red

rot races occurring across sugarcane growing zones and to develop models for

their probable incidences.

Sugarcane Genome Sequencing Project: Taking a cue from other major

crops where the genome sequencing is at an advanced stage, both IISR and

SBI should join hands for initiating a mega project on Sugarcane Genome

Sequencing.

Bio-control of Pests: Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research has done

pioneering work in this field. The Institute is entrusted with maintenance of

Bio-control Centre at Pravaranagar in Maharashtra. The bio-control work can

be further up-scaled in the tropical India with active collaboration among the

two Institutes.

Project on Bio-ethanol Production from sugarcane and sugarbeet: The need

of developing a protocol for 2nd

generation Bio-ethanol from sugarcane and

sugarbeet biomass requires studies on various varieties, microbial consortia

and enzymes etc for efficient and economical production of bio-ethanol. This

endeavour will require close collaboration among the various stakeholders

specially SBI and IISR.

Database Sharing and Digital Library Services: The streamlining of

available but costly resources in terms of databases and library services can be

efficiently utilized without duplications if the two Institutes can share these

resources among each other. A detailed Plan can be formulated for the same, if

agreed in principle.

D 2. Crop Improvement Division

Crop Improvement Division has following core programmes:

Saccharum genetic resources and pre-breeding

Development of sugarcane varieties for sub-tropics

Cytogenetic and biotechnological interventions for sugarcane improvement

Sugarbeet germplasm maintenance and genetic improvement

Seed production

Activities under PPVFRA and DUS testing

A collection of 339 genotypes consisting of accessions of Saccharum officinarum, S.

barberi, S. sinense, ISH clones, Ikshu-ISH clones, LG selections, commercial hybrids,

etc., has been maintained, which provides an unique opportunity for the Breeders’ of

sub-tropical India to conserve their varieties and other parental lines.

Under Pre-breeding activities, Institute sent 36 breeding stocks to NHG, which

included:

Trait No. Breeding stock sent to NHG

High sugar 13 LG 05464, LG 05470, LG 05480, LG 07408, LG 07482, LG

07501, LG 07560, LG 08422, LG 07503, LG 08478, LG

07595, LG 07528 and LG 07443

Top borer tolerant 14 LG 04601, LG 04602, LG 04603, LG 04604, LG 04605, LG

05609, LG 05610, LG 06618, LG 07615, LG 07650, LG

07675, LG 07680, LG 07690 and LG 07692

High sugar & red rot

resistant

7 LG 05817, LG 05823, LG 05828, LG 06810, LG 06839, LG

08865, LG 08866, LG 07503, LG 08478, LG 07595, LG

07528 and LG 07433

Somaclones (High sugar

and resistance to red rot)

2 LG 7641 and LG 7671

LG 95053 (Co 89003 x CoC 671) an Early maturing, high sugar clone with regular

flowering, good female parent giving progeny with early high sugar accumulation

potential was registered with NBPGR (IC 553283; INGR 09054)

CoLk 07201 an early maturing variety with excellent ratooning ability, erect and non-

lodging, resistant to red rot, tolerant to top borer and higher CCS (8.72 t/ha) was

identified for North West zone.

CoLk 9709 an early maturing variety with sugar yield (8.92 t/ha) and cane yield (72.4

t/ha); sucrose content (18.04%) and CCS % (12.56%); moderate resistance to red rot

isolates, Cf 08 & Cf 09; excellent ratooning ability; ratoon crop giving ~25% higher

CCS t/ha and cane yield over CoJ 64 and CoPant 84211 was released for cultivation

in UP.

Varieties which are under AICRP(S) trials during the period were:

Year North Western Zone N. Central & Eastern Zone

Early (20) Mid late (15) Early (6) Mid late (7)

2009 CoLk 09201, CoLk 09202,

CoLk 09203

CoLk 09204 - -

2011 CoLk 11201, CoLk 11202,

CoLk 11203

CoLk 11204, CoLk

11205, CoLk 11206

- -

2012 CoLk 12201, CoLk 12202,

CoLk 12203, CoLk 12204

CoLk 12205, CoLk

12206

CoLk 12207,

CoLk 12208

CoLk 09204,

CoLk 12209

2013 CoLk 13201, CoLk 13202,

CoLk 13203

CoLk 13204, CoLk

13205

- -

2014 CoLk 14201, CoLk 14202 CoLk 14203, CoLk

14204, CoLk 14205

CoLk 14206,

CoLk 14207

CoLk 14208,

CoLk 14209,

CoLk 14210

2015 CoLk 15201, CoLk 15202,

CoLk 15203, CoLk 15204,

CoLk 15205

CoLk 15206, CoLk

15207, CoLk 15208,

CoLk 15209

CoLk 15466,

CoLk 15467

CoLk 15468,

CoLk 15469

Under applications of tissue culture techniques and biotechnological interventions

following activities were taken-up:

Maintenance and utilization of somaclones: Two somaclones resistant to red rot

(LG 641 and LG 7671) were sent to the National Hybridization Garden at SBI,

Coimbatore and are being involved in crossing, apart from LG 911. Nearly, 40

somaclones of 8 varieties are being maintained

Disease-free & genetically uniform planting material: More than 30000 plantlets

of CoLk 94184, CoLk 05011, CoLk 9709 and Co 0238 have been transferred to

field to produce breeder seed.

Value-addition of micro-propagated plantlets with Gluconacetobactor

diazotrophicus

Development of Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation protocol in

sugarcane

D 3. Crop Production Division (including Extension and Training)

During the review period, the Division of Crop Production developed the following

07 applicable technologies:

1. Cane node method of sugarcane planting.

2. Deep tillage and sub-soiling for soil health and enhanced input use efficiency.

3. Modified Randomized Block Design for weed control experiments in sugarcane.

4. Remunerative sugarcane multi-ratooning with bio-manures.

5. Carbon sequestration potential of sugarcane production system.

6. Sub-surface drip fertigation technique for sugarcane plant - ratoon system.

7. Soil Test-Crop Response Equation for nutrient management in sugarcane under

inceptisols of Indo-Gangetic plains.

Agronomic evaluation of promising sugarcane genotypes is a continuing project under

AICRP(S). The yield attributes viz. number, weight, length and girth of millable canes

contributes 40, 30, 27 and 3%, respectively to yield under normal planting season.

There is, however, a need to work out the contributions of these parameters under late

planting conditions in North-West zone in order to develop matching agro-techniques

to achieve the yield potential of the new genotypes.

The study on deep tillage and sub-soiling merit considerable importance in terms of

inputs (energy, water and nutrient) use efficiency Thus, there is need to generate data

on moisture conservation efficiency (MCE) as well as nutrient use efficiency (NUE)

vis-a-vis energy use efficiency (EUE) to work out frequency of such tillage operations

in plant-ratoon system.

Under multi-ratooning, decline in cane yield in subsequent ratoon till the 9th

one has

been recorded. In spite of the fact that decline was steeper under in-organics than

under organics, the decline under organics (SPM) was from 75.3 t/ha in plant crop to

53.2 t/ha in 9th ratoon. At the same time, the study on organic farming module

suggested 75% replacement of in-organics with organics. This point needs to be

relooked.

The highest Irrigation Water Use Efficiency (IWUE) (294.6 kg cane/ha-mm) occurred

with sub-surface fertigation by applying irrigation water equivalent to 75% of pan

evaporation. On the other hand, deep tillage + sub-soiling gave IWUE of 250.5 kg

cane/ha-mm at IW/CPE of 0.5 with IW of 75 mm (or at 150 mm CPE). The

interaction between irrigation regimes and nitrogen levels is not significant.

Therefore, cost-effectiveness of both the techniques needs to be worked out in relation

to water and energy saving.

The investigation on water use efficient planting method of sugarcane showed that

under subtropical environment application of irrigation water in single row of paired

row planting (120:30 cm) resulted in higher water use efficiency as well as cane

productivity. However, in such studies, the effect of plant resistance offered to water

flow in rows may be determined in the context of plant population dynamics and

irrigation schedules.

For applying patent for 'Cane Node Technology', the Division deserves appreciation

as it will go a long way in reducing the seed rate and fastening the varietal

replacement process.

Assessment of soil fertility status in northern sugarcane growing states has been taken

up for preparation of ‘Soil Health Card’. When we talk of ‘Soil Health Card’ it

includes physical, chemical and microbial characterization of soil as related to

manures/fertilizer recommendations and crop management practices. However, in the

study only OC, N, P, K and some micronutrients have been taken up. Sulphur which

is very crucial secondary nutrient particularly in oilseed-sugarcane based crop rotation

is grossly missing in the project. Similarly, the data on total soil biota as well as

physical properties need to be generated.

More core projects in the disciplines of Soil Science and Agricultural Extension may

be taken up. The Division may take up more and more interdisciplinary research

projects particularly in collaboration with Plant Physiology and Biochemistry and

Agricultural Engineering Divisions as well as with Agricultural Meteorology and

Economics Units to develop applicable cost-effective production technologies.

Greater efforts are needed by the scientists to publish Research Papers in referred

Journal of High Impact Factors and that can be achieved only by inter-disciplinary in-

depth studies. Thus, collaborative and comprehensive projects need to be vigorously

pursued. There is also need to bring out more number of ‘Technology Bulletins' for

the cane farmers of different regions.

In order to effectively implement the projects in mandated area, the scientists in the

Discipline of Soil Science, Residue Chemistry and Agricultural Meteorology be

posted in the Division. Similarly, the number of technical personnel in the Division

may also be increased.

The disciplines of Soil Microbiology, Agricultural Extension and Training should not

function independently and should work under the umbrella of the Division to achieve

meaningful targets.

The Nodal Officer for farmers' training should be from the Discipline of Agricultural

Extension whereas the Nodal Officer for SMS/ specialized training should be from the

concerned discipline. This is essential for tailoring sound training programme and

conducting it with concerned resource persons fruitfully on one hand and providing an

opportunity to the scientists of relevant discipline to credit their professional abilities

on the other.

Sugarcane being a high water demanding irrigated crop, and water becoming a scarce

commodity, the Division of Crop Production may create and establish a ‘Centre of

Excellence on Water Management in Sugarcane’. The Centre will address many

issues on water use and irrigation in mandated crop and associated production system

particularly in the context of changing climate scenario.

In 21st century Agriculture Extension is not just technology transfer or Farm

information dissemination to the farmers; but to empower farming community to be

able to decide on their farming endeavour- choosing appropriate technology ,

adopting it and then producing and marketing the products with suitable value

addition resulting more profit/ money in their hands. This will enable them

meaningfully to become socially, economically and personally uplifted and

developed. This is called 3600 extension, fulfilling farmers’ overall needs

(technology, capacity building to use the technology, inputs, credits and marketing

with PHT and value addition) and aspirations. Institute has all potential and

competencies of scientists and also needed infrastructures to achieve and accomplish

these objectives.

‘Transfer of Technology - TOT’ should ultimately lead to 'Application of Technology

- AOT' and therefore, the impact analysis of the technology should form the part of

TAR programme taken up by KVK. As per NSSO, other than progressive farmers,

input dealers and Radio are the main sources of information for modern agricultural

technology. Therefore, the training of input dealers may be included on priority in the

schedule. This becomes more important for quality input supply as well as knowledge

rich technology information to farmers.

D 4. Crop Protection Division

The research activities of Crop Protection were carried out under Plant Pathology and

Entomology projects. Some important observations are highlighted as under:

Surveys were carried out in the command areas of 20 sugar mills from U.P.,

Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Maharashtra and red rot incidence ranged

from 2-10 %; occasionally >20% in some fields. Low incidence of smut was observed

in some varieties.

Minor incidences of Leaf scald, Pokkah boeng and Stinking rot were also reported.

Continuous survey and surveillance was done to monitor the presence of any new

variant of red rot pathogen. Efficacy of Trichoderma to manage the disease was

observed along with MHAT and other treatments with an aim of modulating host

resistance for red rot.

Out of 397 advanced clones tested for resistance against red rot 226 showed

Moderately Resistant (MR) reactions for two races, which indicates the success of the

breeding efforts. Similar results were reported at Motipur Centre also.

Under survey and surveillance for insect pests under sub-tropical India, it was

reported that there was no major incidence during the reporting period except for

white grub incidence in western UP and Uttarakhand wherein 10-90% damage was

reported at some places.

Excellent facilities were developed with the establishment of Bio-control Laboratory

in the Institute for advanced research and mass multiplication of bio-agents.

With just 42 research papers from the Division during the review period, it is

observed that there should be more emphasis on the publication of research data.

D 5. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Division

The Division is working with a mission to improving physiological efficiency and

sucrose content by addressing source-sink signalling dynamics; and to minimize post-

harvest losses for improving sugar recovery.

The research projects were targeted for improving sprouting of stubble buds and

productivity of winter - initiated ratoons; improving physiological efficiency of

sugarcane; Bud chip – as a promising sugarcane seed material; advancement of cane

maturity; studies on the sucrose metabolism and source-sink dynamics at physio-

biochemical and molecular levels to improve sucrose content; physio-biochemical

attributes associated with moisture stress with special reference to transcriptomics and

proteomics study; improving ratoon cane productivity by source-sink manipulation in

subtropical parts of India; management of pre and post harvest sucrose losses for

improving sugar recovery; quantification and qualitative analysis of sugarcane rhizo-

deposits; and developing technologies for cellulosic ethanol.

The future research thrust includes molecular assessment of sucrose metabolizing

genes/ enzymes for source-sink manipulation; post-harvest management of sucrose

losses, molecular assessment and RNAi approach; improving physiological efficiency

for augmenting cane and sugar productivity; reduction in tiller mortality, enhancing

ratoon crop yield with multi-ratooning stand vis-à-vis rhizospheric engineering for

improving ratoon productivity; advanced processes for ethanol production.

Climate change is an emerging problem for the cultivation of this crop due to its

diversified crop growing areas. The evaluation of sugarcane varieties and clonal

selection in the breeding program for abiotic stress has been claimed to be based on

the physic-chemical characters of soil. However, no such analysis of the soil

characters has been recorded in the reports. It is highly important to record data on

soil properties, such as its physical structures, moisture status and its impacts on static

and dynamic water level of the rhizosphere.

There is a need to define water status in soil which exerts stress effect on plants.

Screening of breeding materials, clones and hybrids for their susceptibility to

moisture, salinity and temperature stresses must be an important component of this

program to meet the challenges of climate change stress. Such screening and

evaluation of the tolerant cultivars for abiotic stresses namely drought, temperature,

salinity and heavy metal stresses must be based on physiological parameters and

carbon sequestration properties.

It is important to investigate whether it can be done by altering cultivation technology

(change in date of sowing), nutrient management, developing plant types, gene

transfer mechanism, genetic improvement and biotechnological manoeuvres.

Physiological constraints of productivity and quality assessment at different

phenophases need to be identified and rectified using biotechnological tools. Such

studies are only possible by developing a net work project on climate change with the

collaboration of IISR, Lucknow, SBI, Coimbatore and various research centers of

AICRP. This network project needs to study the impact of climate change on sugar

productivity, quality and rhizospheric changes including microbial population and

carbon sequestration.

Chemical induced tillering has been found to increase plant population density.

However, the induction of horizontal growth will increase the proportion of ‘cell wall

constituent (CWC)’ over ‘cell constituent (CC)’, meaning there by more accumulation

of fibre in individual plant at the expense of sugar accumulating sink. This will result

in the production of more fibrous canes than sugar rich ones per unit area. Therefore,

this kind of chemical regulation may be re-looked from both quality and economy

point of view.

D 6. Agricultural Engineering Division

The Division has developed several efficient machineries which are able to enhance

productivity of sugarcane and reduce the cost of cultivation. Paired Row Cutter

Planter with unique sett cutting mechanism, Residue Mulcher-cum-Bio Applicator,

Power operated Detrasher, Trench Planter, Ratoon Management Device, Plant

Residue Shredder, Sugarcane Manager, Sugarcane-cum-Potato Planter, etc are some

examples to quote.

Efforts are on to develop Tractor Operated Front Mounted Harvester, which is a

welcome step towards mechanization of sugarcane cropping.

Prototypes supplied and the large numbers of MoUs with manufacturers for

fabrication of the machinery indicate their acceptability and popularity among

sugarcane farmers.

Optimization of fertigation in Drip irrigation and Sub-surface Micro-irrigation

systems will not only enhance water and nutrient use efficiencies but also lead to

higher productivity and profitability per unit area.

Under FIM Scheme, few demonstrations were conducted under farmers’ field. It is

necessary to record data on yield and other aspects for analysis of the impact of such

machinery.

There is a need to give more emphasis on demonstrations under farmers’ field

conditions with the help of extension system of institute as well as NGOs, Sugar Mills

and other Government agencies working with the sugarcane farmers. Recording of

observations and views of farmers will help in the refinement of the machinery to

make them more farmers’ friendly.

Other machinery such as Sugarcane-cum-Potato Planter etc should be tested under

multi-location testing system of AICRP.

Based on the overall assessment the performance of the Institute can be

rated as “Very Good”.

E. Consolidated Recommendations

E 1. General

1. Continuous effort should be made for capacity building and training of staff to face

the emerging challenges of climate change, Information and Communication

Technology (ICT) etc.

2. The Research Farm needs to be further upgraded and strengthened in terms of creation

of water resources through tube-well installations and by recruiting skilled and semi-

skilled manpower.

3. Efforts should be made to fill the vacant positions to take-up mandated activities in an

efficient way.

4. The security and safety of the Institute premises needs up-gradation through modern

techniques such as CCTVs, etc.

5. Farm should have a complex on ‘Crop Residue Recycling’ to utilize crop co-products

and crop by-products as organic nutrient pool.

6. A Centralised Biotechnology Facility may be created at the institute for the use of

scientists of different disciplines working in the area of Biotechnology.

7. Research programmes may be initiated on the potential use of nano materials. The

potential use of nano sensors, materials and formulations as efficient diagnostic and

delivery systems may be explored in nutrient management and disease and pest

management.

8. An assessment of economic impact of varieties and technologies developed by the

Institute may be undertaken at Socio-economic level.

9. Sugar beet is grown successfully in many sub tropical countries with due advantage in

terms of crop diversification and effective resource management. The crop is of 5-6

months duration and the water requirement is considerably less. The present

constraints which limits the cultivation of sugar beet in the country has to be

identified and research on breeding and crop management needs to be intensified to

explore its significance for overall sugar production in the country.

10. Research projects should have an orientation towards Product Development whether it

is varieties, implements, derivatives, processes or technologies, fitted into a specified

time frame.

11. Need based strengthening of IISR Regional Centre in terms of infrastructure and

manpower should be taken-up.

E 2. Crop Improvement Division

1. The major factor limiting sugarcane productivity in sub tropics is the short growing

period imposed by the winter season and there is a need to develop varieties capable

of winter sprouting and growth. IISR may screen the germplasm to identify sources

with this character which may help in developing varieties with higher rate of shoot

elongation during winter months too. Application of biotechnological approaches for

identification and isolation of genes associated with winter growth could help in

developing varieties suitable for increased productivity in subtropics.

2. The varietal development programme of IISR needs a relook considering the current

productivity and sugar recovery and the emerging varietal needs of sub tropical India.

The hybridisation programme is to be streamlined taking into consideration the

genetic diversity of the parents, their co-ancestry, their per se performance in terms of

productivity, stress tolerance and adaptation. Genetic stocks with maximum

expression for important traits like sucrose, yield, disease resistance etc. are to be

developed and a certain percentage of crosses made every year should be with these

elite genetic stocks in appropriate combinations, apart from the proven crosses made

using commercial varieties as parents. Sufficiently large number of seedlings

(~50,000 seedlings) needs to be raised every year to permit effective selection

considering the large geographic area in sub tropics for which IISR is mandated to

develop varieties. The crossing work at NHG is to be undertaken by scientists and not

by technicians.

3. IISR may consider conducting multi-location evaluation of the elite selections in

different zones under sub tropical India to identify superior entries for the AICRP(S)

trials.

4. Climate change is likely to affect sugarcane productivity in a very significant way.

IISR may initiate programmes to develop varieties which are suited for the anticipated

changes in climate in terms of increased temperature, salinity, drought, water logging

and probable changes in pest and pathogen dynamics.

5. Yellow leaf disease is likely to become a serious cause for varietal degeneration and

consequent yield loss. At present there are no known sources among the existing

varieties which show YLD resistance. IISR may collaborate with SBI in identifying

YLD resistant sources and utilise them in breeding programmes.

6. Post harvest deterioration in view of the extended ‘harvest to crush’ time is a major

cause for low recovery in sub tropics. Efforts may be made to identify varieties which

show less post harvest deterioration. Possibility to develop such varieties by

manipulation of sucrose metabolism through biotechnological means including RNAi

technology may be explored. Reduction of invertase activity by Stage (maturity)-

specific or wound induced (on harvesting) silencing of invertase genes may be

explored.

7. The transgenic research at IISR needs strengthening. Identification and

characterization of sugarcane-specific genes and promoters for stress tolerance is

particularly important for a successful transgenic programme. Genome editing is the

emerging technology for DNA level manipulations to redesign plants to overcome the

inherent defects or improve up on the existing traits. Capabilities in these areas may

be built up with the support of other national Institutes.

8. The tissue culture programme of the Institute needs to be strengthened. With the

emergence of YLD and other viral diseases with a telling effect on productivity, the

tissue culture-based three tier seed nursery programme has become an absolute

necessity to sustain sugarcane productivity in the coming years. IISR may enhance the

production of TC plants to meet the seed requirements of the region. It may also

function as a nodal agency to oversee the production of TC plants by other agencies

including sugar factories to ensure quality of the tissue culture plants produced.

Supplying mother culture by IISR to the tissue culture units in private /cooperative

sector will ensure production of quality plants by them through subsequent sub

culturing. Direct regeneration (leaf tissue, etc) protocol for rapid propagation of new

varieties may be developed.

9. The genetic base of the present day commercial varieties is narrow and consequently

there is very limited genetic diversity among them which is imposing serious

limitations on achieving higher productivity. There is an urgent need to broaden the

genetic base of the varieties through fresh cycles of interspecific and intergeneric

crosses followed by crossing the hybrids to commercial varieties to introgress the

feral germplasm into the commercial gene pool.

10. Energy canes will possibly play an important role in augmenting the country’s energy

requirements in the terms of II-generation ethanol (cellulosic ethanol) production and

cogeneration. SBI has already developed different classes of energy canes. IISR may

collaborate with SBI in evaluating the energy canes under sub tropical conditions for

productivity and technological parameters.

11. Significant work had been done on molecular markers at IISR. However studies on

marker–trait associations remains to be strengthened to eventually utilise them

effectively in MAS.

E 3. Crop Production Division (including Extension and Training)

1. Plateauing yield level, declining factor productivity, increasing cultivation cost and

decreasing profitability are the major concern before the cane growers. This calls for

concerted efforts to develop agro-techniques for land-water-nutrient and energy

saving crop husbandry to make sugarcane cultivation sustainable and remunerative.

2. ‘Cane Node Technology’ is a potential seed cane saving option. While perfecting the

technology, it is desirable to equip the sprouting buds with Acetobactor and

Trichoderma strains to obtain plants in-built with N2 fixation, red rot resistance and

growth promoting characteristics. Besides, mechanized operations need to be

developed.

3. In view of acute shortage of irrigation water on one hand and high water demanding

crop like sugarcane on the other, there is need to design water use efficient planting-

cum-field water application techniques to enhance water use efficiency and crop

productivity. In this context, designing cost effective applicable sub-surface drip

fertigation system especially for sugarcane plant-ratoon system forms an important

researchable issue.

4. Binding weed is posing serious problem in sugarcane particularly in Tarai belt and

coastal region of the country. It is therefore urgently needed to study its pheno-

biology and develop integrated weed control technology to get rid-off this perpetual

weed flora.

5. In developing ‘Soil Health Cards’ the data on soil (physical, chemical and microbial)

including total soil biota need to be generated in view of large quantities of crop

residues viz., trash, stubble, roots etc are added every year which offer great potential

for organic matter recycling in an effort to maintain soil health and sustain crop

productivity.

6. Multi-ratooning in sugarcane is an integral part of its production system but major

concern is the decline in subsequent ratoon yield. Thus, there is need to find out the

real cause of decline in its productivity including changes in plant morphological

(structural) and physiological (functional) characteristics, root cation exchange

capacity (CEC), release of certain allelo-chemicals and/or chelated compounds. In this

context, the study on direct, residual and cumulative effects of organics merits due

consideration to decide upon dose and frequency of its application. There is big scope

for pre-harvest interventions to enhance and stabilize ratoon productivity.

7. Sugarcane-Ratoon-Wheat cropping system occupies major areas in North West Zone

particularly in Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh, but the productivity of both

sugarcane and wheat is very low. The Institute has developed Furrow Irrigated Raised

Bed (FIRB) Planting technique for this system to realize optimum yield of wheat and

high yield of sugarcane plant as well of ratoon. There is, however, further need to

introduce a ‘break legume intercrop’ like berseem in winter initiated ratoon to

maintain soil health and crop productivity in the system.

8. Development of sugarcane specific Leaf Colour Chart (LCC) based nitrogen

management schedule needs emphasis.

9. Initiate and facilitate training and conduct demonstrations on innovative areas of

sugarcane cultivation, using farm machineries, jaggery production etc as advocated by

the Institute.

10. Make and develop progressive and motivated young farmers as para-trainer to train

other neighbouring farmers of the village to reach out more number of farmers with

suitable technologies.

11. Women farmers, farm women and school drop-outs need training purposefully to

raise nursery and earning profit for their livelihood security.

12. KVK and Extension scientists of the institute must work hand in hand with functional

collaboration to reach out farmers with proven technologies released by IISR.

E 4. Crop Protection Division

1. Current studies on the pathogenic variability have given understanding on the

existence of pathotypes in red rot pathogen in different zones in India. Studies on

molecular variability should be initiated to substantiate the work of pathogenic

variability based on host differentials.

2. Programme may be initiated on the evaluation of new generation fungicides and novel

Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR) inducers and antagonistic endophytes against

major diseases including red rot and smut.

3. Yellow Leaf Disease (YLD) is becoming a major threat to sugarcane production

across the country. The impact of the disease on crop productivity needs to be

precisely estimated. In view of the absence of resistant varieties, the management of

the disease through suitable crop husbandry to minimise the expression of the disease

may be examined. The vector activity in relation to the spread of the disease also

needs consideration.

4. Detailed studies are required on epidemiology of red rot with special reference to role

of incipient infection and environmental factors. These studies will pave way for

development of prediction models of red rot sugarcane.

5. Seed production programme of sugarcane using heat therapy and tissue culture

technique is widely popular for managing sett borne diseases. One of the bottlenecks

in sugarcane seed production programme is non implementation of sugarcane seed

certification standards. This issue needs to be addressed for quality seed production

programme.

6. White grub is a serious pest in some areas of North West zone and the pest is difficult

to be managed by conventional methods. Entomo-pathogenic nematodes have been

found to be effective against white grubs. Studies on mass production, formulation

and field application of entomo-pathogenic nematodes may be intensified.

7. Mass multiplication and evaluation of bio-agents like Tetrastichus howardi against

borer complex of sugarcane may be initiated.

E 5. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Division

1. There is the need for studying and screening the cultivars for the adaptation strategies

to sustainable sugarcane production, sugar yield and quality at different climatic

conditions. Location specific mitigation technologies to meet the challenges of

climatic change stresses must be identified in consultation with the traditional farmers

of the area.

2. Emphasis is required to popularize and commercialize the technologies developed by

sugarcane institutes namely seed priming and use of growth regulators in improving

the sugarcane yield.

3. Climate change is playing a key role in creating the stress of soil moisture, reduction

in the availability of quality water, nutrient deficiency in soil, high temperature stress

at different phenological stages, loss of biodiversity and sugar quality are the new

challenges need to be looked seriously. This challenge requires innovating approaches

using genomics, molecular breeding, and basic fundamental studies to improve the

sugarcane production and sustain the quality of sugar. Thus, the multi disciplinary and

multi institutional research will be of paramount importance.

4. The physiological and biochemical characterization of the responses of sugarcane

cultivars to climate change stresses and the screening of the breeding lines/germplasm

need to get priority.

5. There is need to develop a mega project to generate data base on the responses of

sugarcane varieties to rise in temperature, moisture stress, salinity stress, nutrients

excess/deficiency, water logging and other parameters of climate change stress.

E 6. Agricultural Engineering Division

1. Demonstrations of the existing machines should be conducted on larger areas with the

help of Sugar Mills, NGOs, Government and other agencies in order to popularize

them.

2. Few selected machines should be given to All India Coordinated Projects of

Sugarcane or other associated crops for use to ascertain its suitability and adoptability

in various field conditions.

3. Design and popularization of small machines and hand tools for small farmers should

be given due priority.

4. Design, refinement and development of sugarcane machineries for emerging agro-

techniques such as Cane Node Planting; utilizing advancements in materials and

manufacturing technologies to enhance working efficiency etc should be given

priority.

5. Inter-disciplinary research projects related to inter-cropping and irrigation need to be

pursued.

6. Study should be conducted to determine the economics of Drip Irrigation in sugarcane

crop under sub-tropical conditions.

7. Ergonomic evaluation of small hand tools/ equipments should be conducted in order

to reduce drudgery in sugarcane cultivation.

8. Strengthening of ‘Jaggery Quality Laboratory’ for advanced research may be initiated.

C. Report: All India Coordinated Research Project on Sugarcane

C i. Brief History and Outstanding Achievements of the AICRP on Sugarcane

Sugarcane occupies a commanding position as an agro-industrial crop of the country,

covering nearly 5.07 million hectares of area in 2014-15. The crop sustains the second

largest organized agro-industry in the country, i.e., the sugar industry. In addition,

sugarcane supports a large number of scattered open pan sugar units in the rural sector

(khandsari and jaggery). Unlike textile industry, where agricultural and

manufacturing-wings are separate, the sugar industry is totally rural and helps in

improving the rural economy. Research for sugarcane improvements was initiated as

early as in 1892 in Bombay State (now Maharashtra) at Manjari. Later, with a view to

improving indigenous sugarcanes and cane and sugar productivity, the Sugarcane

Breeding Station (now Sugarcane Breeding Institute) was established in 1912 at

Coimbatore. Environment suitable for flowering in sugarcane with viable pollens and

setting of fertile seeds were the prime reasons for its location at Coimbatore. To

conduct research on fundamental and applied aspects of sugarcane culture, the ICAR-

Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research (IISR), Lucknow was established in 1952.

Sugarcane is grown in all the States of the country except hilly temperate tracts of

northern India. Due to diverse agro-climatic conditions both in tropical and

subtropical regions, the problems in sugarcane cultivation are of distinct and diverse

nature. As a consequence, research emphasis and approaches vary and are largely

location oriented. A strong research network has been established in the country over

the years to cater to the needs of the crop. The research support in sugarcane is

provided at two levels, i.e. Central and State levels. At present, the research centres

are being run by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, State Agricultural

Universities, Departments of Agriculture of State Governments and non-government

organizations.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research sanctioned the All India Coordinated

Research Project on Sugarcane in 1970-71 as a Fourth Five Year Plan Project to

intensify research on important problems of sugarcane having regional or local

significance with its headquarter at the ICAR-Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research,

Lucknow. The project started with 11 centres and 7 sub-centres and later a few more

centres were added in order to strengthen the network research. At present, there are

22 regular centres and 14 voluntary centres.

The major achievements during the reporting period include successful conduct of the

Research Programmes in the disciplines of Crop Improvement, Crop Production and

Crop Protection as detailed below:

Crop Improvement

Zonal Varietal Trial: In North West, North Central & North East, Peninsular

and East Coast Zones

Interzonal Varietal Trial (Till 2010-11 at Anakapalle, Coimbatore,

Padegaon, Lucknow and Seorahi centres)

Fluff Supply programme

New programme initiated: Evaluation and identification of climate resilient

Inter Specific Hybrids (ISH) and Inter Generic Hybrids (IGH) w.e.f. 2015-16.

Crop Production:

S.

No.

Programme Duration

during review

Present

status

1. Agronomic evaluation of promising sugarcane

genotypes

2009-10 to

2014-15

Continuing

2. Developing organic farming module for

sugarcane crop

2009-10 Concluded

3. Studies on seed cane economy in sugarcane

cultivation

2009-10 to

2010-11

Concluded

4. Management of binding weeds in sugarcane 2009-10 to

2011-12

Concluded

5. Response of sugarcane crop to different plant

nutrients in varied agro ecological situations

2011-12 to

2014-15

Continuing

6. Priming of cane node for accelerating

germination

2012-13 to

2013-14

Concluded in

2014-15

7. Effect of sub-soiling on soil physico-chemical

characteristics and sugarcane productivity

2009-10 to

2010-11

Concluded

8. Optimizing irrigation schedule in sugarcane

under different planting methods

2009-10 to

2014-15

Continuing

9. Improving productivity of winter initiated

ratoon of sugarcane in sub-tropical India

2009-10 to

2010-11

Concluded

10. Plant geometry in relation to mechanization in

sugarcane

2012-13 to

2013-14

Concluded in

2013-14

11. Enhancing sugarcane productivity and

profitability under wheat – sugarcane cropping

system

2012-13 to

2013-14

Concluded in

2014-15

New programme initiated (from 2015-16) in Crop Production:

Impact of integrated application of organics and inorganics in improving soil health

and sugarcane productivity

Use of plant growth regulators (PGRs) for enhanced yield and quality of sugarcane

Plant Pathology

S.

No.

Programme Duration

during review

Present

status

1. Identification of pathotypes of red rot pathogen 2009-10 to

2014-15

Continuing

2. Evaluation of zonal varieties for resistance to

red rot, smut and wilt

2009-10 to

2014-15

Continuing

3. Survey of sugarcane diseases naturally

occurring in the area on important sugarcane

varieties

2009-10 to

2014-15

Continuing

4. Assessment of elite and ISH genotypes for

resistance to red rot

2009-10 to

2014-15

Continuing

5. Screening, epidemiology and management of

pokkah boeng in sugarcane

2011-12 to

2014-15

Continuing

6. Management of brown rust of sugarcane 2009-10 to

2014-15

Concluded

7. Assessment of field resistance in sugarcane to

red rot

2012-13 to

2013-14

Concluded in

2014-15

8. Methodology for screening sugarcane

genotypes for resistance to brown rust

(Puccinia melanocephala)

2013-14 to

2014-15

Continuing

9. Molecular characterization of isolate/pathotypes

of Colletotrichum falcatum

2009-10 Concluded

New Programme initiated from 2015-16:

Management of Brown spot disease in sugarcane

Entomology

S.

No.

Programme Duration

during review

Present

status

1. Evaluation of zonal varieties/genotypes for their

reaction against major insect pests

2009-10 to

2014-15

Continuing

2. Mass multiplication of potential bio-agents of

sugarcane insect pests

2009-10 to

2011-12

Concluded

3. Survey and surveillance of sugarcane insect pests 2009-10 to

2014-15

Continuing

4. Monitoring of insect pests and bioagents in

sugarcane agro-ecosystem

2009-10 to

2014-15

Continuing

5. Management of whitefly (Aleurolobus

barodensis) in sugarcane agro-ecosystem

2009-10 to

2011-12

Concluded

6. Population dynamics of sugarcane borers (early

shoot borer, top borer, internode borer and stalk

borer) through pheromone trap

2009-10 to

2011-12

Concluded

7. Bioefficacy of insecticides against mealy bugs in

sugarcane

2011-12 to

2014-15

Continuing

8. Standardization of simple and cost effective

techniques for mass multiplication of sugarcane

bio-agents

2012-13 to

2014-15

Continuing

9. Management of borer complex of sugarcane

through lures

2012-13 to

2014-15

Continuing

10. Bio-efficacy of new insecticides for the control of

sugarcane early shoot borer

2014-15 Continuing

11. Management of sugarcane white woolly aphid,

Ceratovacuna lanigera

2009-10 Concluded

New methodology developed:

Research methodology for recording observation of sugarcane insect-pests was

developed in 2013.

Production, process, technologies developed

Crop Improvement:

Sugarcane varieties identified/released & notified for cultivation in India (2010-2015)

S.

No

Variety Year of

release and

notification

Cane

yield

(t/ha)

Sucrose

(%)

CCS

(t/ha)

Other features

Peninsular Zone

1. Co 0218

(Midlate)

2010 103.77 20.79 15.17 MR to red rot, smut, wilt.

Tolerant to water stress,

salinity.

2. Co 0403

(Early)

2012 101.60 18.16 13.29 MR to red rot, smut.

Tolerant to drought

3. Co 06022

(Early)

Identified in

2012

105.23 18.88 13.76 MR to red rot, smut, wilt,

Tolerant to drought.

4. CoN 05071

(Early)

Identified in

2012

95.81 17.62 11.83 MR to red rot, smut, wilt.

Tolerant to water logging,

moisture stress.

5. Co 06027

(Midlate)

2013 110.56 19.18 14.74 MR to red rot, smut.

Tolerant to drought,

salinity.

6. CoSnk

05103

(Early)


Tolerant to woolly aphid,

moisture stress.

7. CoSnk

05104

(Midlate)

2014 106.86 17.52 12.93 MR to red rot, smut.

Tolerant to woolly aphid,

ESB, moisture stress,

salinity & waterlogging.

8. PI 07131

(Early)

Identified in

2014

101.64 18.60 13.45 MR to red rot, smut

East Coast Zone

9. CoA 05322

(Midlate)

Identified in

2010

105.77 17.32 12.25 MR to red rot, smut.

Tolerant to moisture stress

& cyclonic wind.

10. CoOr

03151

(Early)

2011 105.28 15.53 11.13 MR to red rot. Tolerant to

drought, waterlogging

11. CoA 05323

(Midlate)

Identified in

2011

103.18 16.74 11.81 MR to red rot, smut.

Tolerant to moisture

stress.

12. Co 06030

(Midlate)

2013 103.33 16.60 11.21 MR to red rot, wilt.

13. CoA 08323

(Early)

Identified in

2013

106.30 16.41 11.76 MR to red rot, smut.

14. CoC 08336

(Early)

Identified in

2013

110.40 17.44 13.12 MR to red rot.

North West Zone

15. Co 0124

(Midlate)

2010 75.71 18.22 9.68 MR to red rot, wilt.

16. Co 0239

(Early)

2010 79.23 18.58 MR to red rot. Tolerant to

water stress, waterlogging.

17. CoH 128

(Midlate)

2012 76.23 17.70 9.28 MR to red rot, wilt.

Tolerant to top borer.

18. Co 0237

(Early)

2012 71.33 18.78 9.34 MR to red rot, wilt.

Tolerant to low temp. &

waterlogging.

19. Co 05011

(Midlate)

2012 81.87 18.00 10.17 MR to red rot, wilt.

20. CoPant

05224

(Midlate)

Identified in

2012

82.46 17.47 9.57 MR to red rot, wilt.

21. CoPK

05191

2013 81.12 17.06 9.52 MR to red rot, wilt.

Tolerant to drought,

R=resistant; MR = moderately resistant; - = information not available

Total released and Notified varieties (2009 to 2015): 16

Total Identified varieties (2009 to 2016): 30

States covered under different agro-climatic zones:

Peninsular Zone: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Interior of Tamil

Nadu & Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh

East Coast Zone: Coastal Tamil Nadu & Andhra Pradesh and Orissa

North West Zone: Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Central and Western Uttar

Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

North Central Zone: Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Jharkhand

North Eastern Zone: Assam

(Early) waterlogging.

22. Co 05009

(Early)

2013 75.89 17.44 9.16 MR to red rot, wilt.

Tolerant to low

temperature.

23. CoLk

07201

(Early)

Identified in

2013

78.76 16.34 8.72 MR to red rot, wilt.

24. Co 06034

(Midlate)

Identified in

2013


25. CoPb

08212

(Early)

Identified in

2016


North Central Zone and North Eastern Zone

26. CoSe

05451

(Early)

Identified in

2012


27. CoBln

04174

(Midlate)

Identified in

2012

64.13 16.74 7.42 MR to red rot, smut.

28. CoSe

01421

(Early)


29. CoP 06436

(Midlate)


30 CoP 09437

(Midlate)

Identified in

2016


Fluff Supply Programme

Breeders of AICRP centres performed crossing work at the National Hybridization

Garden and National Distant Hybridization Facility of ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding

Institute, Coimbatore.

Fluff was produced from bi-parental crosses, zonal crosses, poly-crosses and general

collections.

Fluff was supplied to AICRP centres for seedling raising and selection. The quantity

of fluff produced during the review period is given below:

Year Quantity (kg.)

2009-10 34.72

2010-11 26.55

2011-12 33.05

2012-13 32.70

2013-14 43.88

2014-15 38.21

Crop Production:

Fertilizer requirement for promising sugarcane genotypes: There is great deal of

genetic variations in cane yield and quality across the zone. Hence, superior clones be

recommended to substitute old/inferior varieties. In NWZ/NEZ/NCZ/ECZ, sugarcane

crop be fertilized with the 100% recommended dose of fertilizer, whereas in

peninsular zone, sugarcane crop be fertilized with 25% more of the recommended

dose of fertilizer.

Sustaining sugarcane production and soil health through integration of nutrient

sources in sugarcane based cropping system: For sustaining higher sugarcane yield

and better soil health, sugarcane plant and ratoon crops be fertilized with 75% of

recommended NPK through inorganics + 25% of recommended N through organics

(FYM/PSM) along with furrow application of Azotobacter + PSB @ 2.5 kg/ha each

and biopesticide (Trichoderma) inoculated @1kg/ha mixed with one quintal FYM,

apart from trash mulching and green manure of legumes (Sesbania) in alternate rows

in ratoon crop.

Improvement in cane productivity of winter-initiated ratoon of sugarcane in sub-

tropical India: Fresh sulphitation press mud cake (SPMC) @ 20 t / ha at ratooning is

recommended for improving bud sprouting and cane yield in winter initiated

sugarcane ratoon. Alternatively, 10 t fresh SPMC + 25 kg ZnSO4/ha is also

recommended.

Increasing sugarcane productivity through sub-soiling: Sub soiling especially

cross sub-soiling at 1.0 m is recommended for enhancing cane yield and sustaining

soil health.

Management of binding weeds in sugarcane: Application of atrazine @ 2 kg a.i./ha

or metribuzine @ 1.25 kg a.i./ha as pre-emergence followed by dicamba @ 350 g

a.i./ha at 75 DAP is effective for controlling binding weeds in sugarcane.

Plant geometry in relation to mechanization in sugarcane: Wider row spacing of

120 cm/30:150 cm is recommended for tropical zone to facilitate the mechanical

harvesting as well as maintaining cane yield level. However, in sub-tropical zone,

sugarcane planting at 30:120 cm is an option to facilitate mechanization.

Response of sugarcane crop to different plant nutrients in varied agro-

ecological situations : Application of Zn @ 5 kg/ha and S @ 40 kg/ha along with

NPK every year to sugarcane plant crop was recommended for subtropics, while for

tropics, the application rate of Zn and S was 10 and 60 kg/ha along with NPK,

respectively.

Enhancing sugarcane productivity and profitability under wheat-

sugarcane cropping system: Where moisture is not a limiting factor, intercropping

of sugarcane and wheat (1:2 or 1:3) with sugarcane in furrow and wheat on raised bed

can be taken. Where terminal heat is a problem sequential sowing of wheat in

November/December in FIRB followed by sugarcane planting in furrows in

February/March was the best.

Priming of cane node for accelerating germination: For Peninsular Zone, where

soil moisture does not deplete rapidly, planting of primed cane node may be used as

planting material and for North West Zone, conventional planting of 3-bud setts may

be continued.

Plant Pathology

Identification of new pathotype of red rot pathogen: Prevalent isolates of red rot

pathogen in different States were tested on 14 differentials for pathotype

identification. Shahjahanpur, Karnal, Kapurthala, Coimbatore and Navsari centres

reported indication of new pathotypes subject to confirmation.

Identification of varieties resistant to red rot: During the period under report, a

total of 628 entries (201 in North West Zone; 78 in North Central & North Eastern

Zones, 271 in Peninsular Zone & 78 in East Coast Zone) were evaluated with

prevalent pathotypes of red rot pathogen. Besides, entries were evaluated against smut

and wilt diseases. The entries were rated as resistant, moderately resistant, moderately

susceptible, susceptible and highly susceptible.

Management of brown rust of sugarcane: Two sprays of propineb (0.2%) or

mancozeb 75 WP (0.3%) at 15 days intervals from the initiation of the symptoms was

found effective against the disease. The cost benefit ratio analysis of different

treatments indicated highest C:B ratio (1.02) by Mancozeb 75 WP @ 0.3%.

Entomology

Management of sugarcane woolly aphid: For management of sugarcane woolly

aphid (Ceratovacuna lanigera) imidacloprid @ 100 g a.i./ha, Chlorpyriphos 1 kg

a.i./ha, oxydemeton methyl @ 1 kg a.i./ha, or thiamethoxam @ 50 g a.i./ha were

found most effective.

Management of white fly (Aleurolobus barodensis): For management of whitefly

(Aleurolobus barodensis) in sugarcane agro-ecosystem, removal of lower leaves

followed by foliar application of imidacloprid 0.005% + 2% urea is recommended

(Urea solution should be prepared first and then imidacloprid is to be added to avoid

coagulation of the mixture).

Management of mealy bugs in sugarcane: Sett treatment with imidacloprid 70

WG/SP @ 25 g a.i./ha or thiamethoxam 70 WG/SP @ 25 g a.i./ha (36 g product in

150 litres of water) followed by spraying of imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 0.05% at cane

formation stage effectively controlled mealy bug of sugarcane.

Research methodology for recording observation of sugarcane insect-pests: After

in-depth discussion in the Group of Entomologists during Group Meeting of AICRP

on Sugarcane held in 2013 at Visakhapatnam, the methodology was standardized to

record observations of insect-pests infesting sugarcane in AICRP trials. The

methodology was adopted in AICRP on Sugarcane.

C ii. Mandate of the AICRP(S)

Mandate:

Evaluation of locally adapted sugarcane varieties with improved yield and quality

as well as resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses.

Development of package of practices for higher cane sugar production.

Development of low cost technologies for sugarcane production.

Intensifying and extending the networking facility and information generation for

transfer of technology to the farmers and sugar industry.

Objectives:

To coordinate multi-location testing of germplasm and advance breeding materials

for evaluating appropriate region/location specific improved varieties.

To organize and conduct strategic and applied research of inter-disciplinary nature

for evolving appropriate region/location specific package of practices for crop

production.

To develop region or location specific strategies for integrated disease and pest

management.

Enhancement and maintenance of disease free nucleus seed material for

distribution to the cooperating organizations.

To disseminate generated information and technology.


C iii.1. Structure and Organization:

The project has 22 centres in five agro-ecological zones of the country, viz., North

West Zone (comprising Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Western and central Uttar

Pradesh and Uttarakhand), North Central Zone (comprising eastern Uttar Pradesh,

Bihar and West Bengal), North Eastern Zone (comprising Assam), Peninsular Zone

(comprising Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala,

interior plains of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu), and East Coast Zone (comprising

Odisha and coastal Andhra Pradesh and coastal Tamil Nadu). Besides, there are 14

voluntary centres. The project is headed by the Project Coordinator with the

Coordination Unit located at the Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow.

The Project Coordinator takes help of Principal Investigators, one each in the

disciplines of Crop Improvement, Crop Production, Plant Pathology and Entomology

for proper implementation of technical programmes and preparation of annual

progress reports.

With the inception of AICRP on Sugarcane, the main plank on which the coordination

of research was aimed at was in sugarcane breeding. Supply of hybrid fluff to the

centres was started to increase the genetic diversity and enlarge the scope of variation

for quick development of improved commercial varieties. Since this programme

requires use of a large number of varieties in the hybridization programme, a National

Hybridization Garden was established at the Sugarcane Breeding Institute,

Coimbatore under the aegis of AICRP on Sugarcane. With the implementation of the

programme, a number of voluntary centres came forward from time to time to

undertake the AICRP programmes. The regular and voluntry centres of AICRP on

Sugarcane are as follows:

Regular Centres:

North West Zone:

1. PAU Regional Station (PAU), Kapurthala (Punjab)

2. G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar (Uttarakhand)

3. ICAR-Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow (U.P.)

4. CCSHAU Regional Research Station, Uchani, Distt. Karnal (Haryana).

5. UP Council of Sugarcane Research, Shajahanpur (U.P.)

6. Agricultural Research Station (Agriculture University), Kota (Rajasthan)

7. PAU Regional Research Station (PAU), Faridkot (Punjab)

8. Agricultural Research Station (SKRAU, Bikaner), Sriganganagar (Rajasthan)

In addition, SBI Regional Centre, Karnal (under ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute,

Coimbatore) is also cooperating in the AICRP programme.

North Central Zone:

9. Sugarcane Research Institute (RAU), Pusa (Bihar).

10. Sugarcane Research Station (Deptt. of Agri.), Bethuadahari (West Bengal)

In addition, IISR Regional Centre, Motipur (Distt. Muzaffarpur) under ICAR- Indian Institute

of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow is also cooperating in the AICRP programme.

North East Zone:

11. Sugarcane Research Station (AAU), Buralikson (Assam)

East Coast Zone:

12. Regional Agril. Research Station (ANGRAU), Anakapalle (A.P.)

13. Sugarcane Research Station (TNAU), Cuddalore (Tamil Nadu)

14. Sugarcane Research Station,(OUA&T), Nayagarh (Odisha)

Peninsular Zone:

15. Central Sugarcane Research Station (MPKV), Padegaon (Maharashtra)

16. ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu)

17. Zonal Agricultural Research Station (JNKVV), Powarkheda, (M.P.)

18. Zonal Agricultural Research Station, (UAS, Bangalore), Mandya (Karnataka)

19. Regional Sugarcane & Jaggery Research Station (MPKV), Kolhapur

(Maharashtra)

20. Main Sugarcane Research Station (NAU), Navsari (Gujarat)

21. Sugarcane Research Station (KAU), Thiruvalla (Kerala)

22. Agricultural Research Station (UAS, Dharwad), Sankeshwar (Karnataka)

Voluntary Centres:

North West Zone

1. Sugarcane Research Station (UPCSR), Muzaffarnagar (U.P.)

North Central Zone:

1. G.S. Sugaracne Breeding & Research Institute (UPCSR), Seorahi, Kushinagar

(U.P.)

2. Sugarcane Research Centre (UPCSR), Kunraghat, Gorakhpur (U.P.)

East Coast Zone:

1. Sugarcane Research Station (ANGRAU), Vuyyuru (A.P.)

2. Research & Development Centre, E.I.D. Parry (India) Ltd., Nellikuppam (TN)

Peninsular Zone:

1. Sugarcane Research Centre (PDKV), Akola (Maharashtra)

2. Vasantdada Sugar Institute, Pune (Maharashtra).

3. Padamshree Dr. Vithalrao Vikhe Patil Sahakari Karkhana, Pravaranagar,

Ahmednagar (M.S.)

4. Regional Sugarcane and Rice Research Station, Rudrur (PJTSAU),

Nizamabad (Telangana)

5. Agricultural Research Station, Perumallapalle (ANGRAU), Chittur (A.P.)

6. Karnataka Institute of Applied Agrilcultural Research, Sameerwadi

(Karnataka)

7. Regional Sugarcane Research Station (MAU), Basmathnagar (Maharashtra).

8. Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur (Chattisgarh)

9. Research & Development Centre, E.I.D. Parry (India) Ltd., Pugalur (T.Nadu)

C iii.2. Management Practices

For effective functioning of AICRP(S), the Technical Programme is finalized during

Workshops/Group Meetings and executed at Regular (funded) and Voluntary Centres.

The progress of research is monitored through monitoring teams, which are

constituted by the Project Coordinator. For each of the 05 agro-climatic zones,

different monitoring teams comprising of Breeder, Agronomist, Pathologist and

Entomologist is constituted and the Team reviews the progress at all the Centres. The

report of the team is submitted to the Project Coordinator as well as Principal

Investigators. The deficiencies, if any are discussed for rectification during

Workshop/ Group Meeting.

Project Coordinator also visits the Centres to review the conduct of trials, proper

utilization of funds, identification of constraints etc.

Further, Institute Management Committee, QRT, RAC etc also give their valuable

inputs in the management process.

C iii.3. Collaboration with SAUs and other Research Organizations

Directorate of Sugarcane Development, Lucknow under Department of Agriculture &

Cooperation (DAC), Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India has provided funds to AICRP(S)

centres through AICRP on Sugarcane for conducting Front Line Demonstrations and Breeder

Seed Production till 2009. Later in 2014-15, DAC initiated implementation of centrally

sponsored scheme on National Food Security Mission- Commercial Crops (NFSM-CC) with

two components, viz., Breeder Seed Production and Demonstration of Intercropping. These

two components have been implemented at the centres of AICRP on Sugarcane w.e.f., 2015-

16 crop season.

C iii.4 Linkages with Clients/ End Users

The AICRP on Sugarcane has network of ICAR Institutes like IISR, Lucknow and

SBI, Coimbatore; 16 State Agricultural Universities; two State Government Institutes;

NGO’s and a few sugar factories. The AICRP research programme is conducted in

collaboration with all these organizations.

C iii.5 Human, Physical and Financial Resources

Manpower : (2010 to 2015):

Centre: Anakapalle

Discipline 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015

Scientific Plant Breeder 1 1 1 1 1 1

Agronomist 1 1 1 1 1 1

Pathologist 1 1 1 1 1 1

Entomologist 1 1 1 1 1 1

Technical 7 7 7 7 7 7

Centre: Bethuadahari

Discipline 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-15

Scientific Plant Breeder - - - - - -



Centre: Buralikson

Discipline 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-15




Technical LabAstt./

Field man

5 5 5 5 5 5

Centre: Cuddalore

Discipline 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-15




Technical/Lab Astt. 4 4 4 4 4 4

Centre: Faridkot

Discipline 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-15




Centre: Kolhapur

Discipline 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-15



Technical/Field Asstt. 4 4 4 4 4 4

Centre: Kota Discipline 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-15




Centre: Kapurthala

Discipline 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-15





Technical/ Ag Inspector 8 8 8 8 8 8

Centre: Mandya

Discipline 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-15




Technical/ Field Asstt. 4 4 4 4 4 4

Centre: Navsari

Discipline 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-15






Centre: Nayagarh Discipline 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-15



Pathologist - - - - - 1

Technical/LabAstt. 4 4 4 4 4 4

Centre: Padegaon

Discipline 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-15






Centre: Pantnagar

Discipline 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-15




Technical/ Field Asstt 4 4 4 4 4 4

Centre: Powarkheda

Discipline 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-15






Centre: Pusa

Discipline 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-15




Soil Scientist* 1 1 1 1 1 -

Entomologist - - - - - 1


*Post of Soil Scientist redesignated as Entomologist w.e.f. 2014-15.

Centre: Sankeshwar. Discipline 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-15





Centre: Shahjahanpur Discipline 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-15






Centre: Sriganganagar

Discipline 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-15



Chemist* 1 1 1 1 1 -


*Post of Chemist withdrawn w.e.f. 2014-15.

Centre: Thiruvalla

Discipline 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-15





Centre: Uchani

Discipline 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-15






Coordination Unit Discipline 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-15

Scientific Project

Coordinator

1 1 1 1 1 1

Sr. Scientist 3 3 3 3 3 3

Technical/ Administrative 3+3 3+3 3+3 3+3 3+3 3+3

Financial Resources (Rs. in lakhs)

S.

N.

Financial

Year /

Centre

2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-15

All

ott

ed

Uti

lize

d

All

ott

ed

Uti

lize

d

Allotted Utilized Allotted Utilized Allotted Utilized Allotted Utilized

AIC

RP

(S)

TS

P

AIC

RP

(S)

TS

P

AIC

RP

(S)

TS

P

AIC

RP

(S)

TS

P

AIC

RP

(S)

TS

P

AIC

RP

(S)

TS

P

AIC

RP

(S)

TS

P

AIC

RP

(S)

TS

P

1. Anakapalle 36.77 31.89 23.53 12.72 41.21 - 36.37 - 89.42 - 78.50 - 31.99 7.50 31.99 7.50 55.98 8.89 55.98 8.89

2. Bethudahari 15.18 - 6.22 - 6.22 - - - 16.55 - - - - - - - - - - -

3. Buralikson 31.45 31.45 16.70 14.38 80.61 12.50 80.61 12.50 42.25 7.50 42.25 7.50 48.00 7.50 48.00 7.50 93.00 8.89 93.00 8.89

4. Cuddalore 24.21 24.21 19.74 19.74 28.74 - 25.78 - 80.13 80.13 41.91 41.91 33.43 - 33.43 -

5. Faridkot 19.07 18.94 17.01 17.01 27.93 - 27.93 - 58.83 58.83 38.02 38.02 36.77 - 36.77 -

6. Ludhiana/

Kapurthala

37.82 32.94 25.10 23.69 53.06 - 53.06 - 103.08 103.08 64.62 64.62 48.42 - 48.42 -

7. Kolhapur 15.96 15.96 12.17 7.10 17.17 - 17.17 - 45.99 21.50 19.23 19.23 19.84 - 19.84 -

8. Kota 16.87 16.21 14.84 14.84 29.91 - 27.91 - 64.08 64.08 32.23 32.23 32.48 - 32.48 -

9. Mandya 17.18 16.00 16.00 16.00 51.82 - 48.86 - 102.82 102.82 35.60 35.60 49.24 - 49.24 -

10. Navsari 31.43 26.56 24.45 24.45 42.02 - 38.11 - 73.43 - 71.14 - 46.25 7.50 46.25 7.50 43.28 8.89 43.28 8.89

11. Nayagarh 18.24 13.37 14.40 14.40 26.47 - 21.73 - 46.25 7.00 28.13 7.00 29.63 7.50 29.63 7.50 29.34 8.89 29.34 8.89

12. Padegaon 44.19 44.19 22.59 7.52 35.90 - 13.31 - 95.09 95.09 60.54 60.54 48.42 8.89 48.42 8.89

13. Pantnagar 24.33 20.90 19.14 19.14 24.88 - 21.81 - 57.75 45.38 39.39 39.39 42.03 - 42.03 -

14. Pusa 34.57 29.68 23.27 22.34 76.27 12.50 56.22 12.50 102.15 7.00 102.15 7.00 44.14 - 44.14 - 52.54 - 52.54 -

15. Sankeshwar 23.05 22.45 15.31 15.31 44.76 - 42.01 - 61.31 61.31 57.63 57.63 23.41 - 23.41 -

16. Shahjahanpur 30.39 19.82 25.43 25.43 38.86 - 34.89 - 103.48 103.48 22.07 22.07 43.06 - 43.06 -

17. Powarkheda 32.97 25.78 32.97 32.97 73.87 - 68.84 - 107.15 107.15 58.12 58.12 62.74 - 62.74 -

18. Thiruvalla 24.63 14.31 21.03 21.03 35.04 - 28.85 - 53.65 40.16 26.91 26.91 34.62 - 34.62 -

19. Uchani 44.67 44.67 26.20 24.50 61.07 - 42.11 - 100.95 33.77 19.70 19.70 39.42 - 39.42 -

20. Sriganganagar 22.85 14.40 14.40 10.84 25.31 - 13.09 - 55.19 18.30 10.96 10.96 28.52 - 28.52 -

21. Coimbatore

(SBI)

Not funded by AICRP (S)

22. Lucknow

(IISR)

Not funded by AICRP (S)

23. Coord. Unit 35.75 18.38 33.50 26.20 33.50 21.87 21.25 21.25 28.06 27.88 28.02 - 27.99 -

Resource generation : Nil

C iii.6 Planning for the Future

Need based capacity building of the centres.

Promotion of need based training for scientific and technical staff associated with

AICRP(S) work.

Initiation of new trials related to evaluation of ISH/IGH genetic stocks for climate

change resilience, etc

Stringent monitoring of the trials for quality data generation.

Digitization of the AICRP(S) Data.


All the centres under review carried forward their mandated programme and activities

to propagate sugarcane cultivation and large scale adoption of high yielding varieties

and crop management practices which tend to improve and enhance sugarcane

production and productivity in their concerned zone/region.

Apart from testing of varieties under AICRP(S), the centres also develop and release

varieties at State level. It has been observed varieties released and notified at Central

level are not recommended for cultivation in some states. The centre should come

forward in getting released centrally released and notified varieties by the respective

state governments so that best and widely adapted varieties can find place in the

sugarcane producing areas.

There is a need to redefine the differentials for identification of pathotypes of red rot

pathogen.

There is a need to screen genotypes/varieties under NHG for identifying resistance

sources for new diseases like YLD, Pokkah boeng, etc.

Although, most of the centres have effective extension and TOT programme for

dissemination of appropriate technologies, some centres showed lack of aggressive

initiatives and deficiency in programme strategy with proper extension methods and

activities.

To promote extension activities of the centres, Bench Mark Survey to document needs

of the sugarcane farmers, their opinion on problems, probable solutions together with

scientists’ overall observations needs emphasis.

Training needs assessment of farmers and then chalk-out the training modules and

outline to conduct the programme to satisfy the needs. Feed back and regular contact

with trained farmers is necessary.

In case of Organic Farming Modules (OFMs), the direct, residual and cumulative

effects need quantification to arrive at appropriate dose, proportion and frequency of

application of different components of modules.

There is a need to generate data on physico-chemical characteristics of soil in the

Experiment AS 59: ‘Effect of sub-soiling on physico-chemical characteristics and

sugarcane productivity’. In fact the basic objective of the experiment is improvement

in physical characteristics vis-a-vis moisture storability of soil under differential sub-

soiling treatments.

The centres have reported the values of Water Use Efficiency- WUE in Experiment

AS 61 ‘Optimizing irrigation schedule in sugarcane under different planting

methods’. But these values are of Irrigation Water Use Efficiency-IWUE’ and not of

WUE. These may be reflected and reported accordingly. In many cases depth of

irrigation water is not given, which needs to be incorporated to make the results valid

and useful.

The plant crop at many centres has shown response to micronutrients especially Fe,

Zn and Mn, their response merits studies in sugarcane ratoon crop particularly in the

context of ‘Iron Chlorosis’.

The source of S and Zn need to be mentioned in order to quantify their nutritional

value in relation to mode of application.

The carry-over effects of sub-soiling on water retentivity and associated soil

characteristics need to be studied in ratoon crop of sugarcane.

Effective utilization of funds under Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) through capacity building,

training, etc of tribal farmers should be taken-up.

Several centres requested that some HRD fund may be provided under AICRP(S).

Some of the specific issues raised by/identified for the centres which need

consideration are:

Only 01 project under Agronomy was taken-up by ICAR-SBI, Coimbatore which

needs to be increased.

There is no pathologist at Mandya Centre.

Lack of well organized sugarcane based agro industry in Kerala to procure

sugarcane from farmers at reasonable price. No specific laboratory building for

sugarcane research work at the Centre.

MSRS (NAU), Navsari requested for the post of Biochemist.

CSRS (MPKV), Padegaon needs laboratory facilities for salinity research and a

Rain Shelter for moisture stress studies.

ZARS (JNKVV), Powarkheda requested funds for farm implements.

SRC (PDKV), Akola and VSI, Pune, which are at present Voluntary centres,

requested that they may be elevated to Regular Centres.

SRS, Vuyyuru requested for enhancing their Centre’s status to Regular from

Voluntary at present.

SRS, Cuddalore requested funds for farm implements.

SRS, Nayagarh needed 01 post of Entomologist.

RRS, Kapurthala requested 01 post of Plant Physiologist.

GBPUA&T, Pantnagar requested 01 post of Entomologist.

UPCSR, Shahjahanpur requested for recruitment of SRFs/RAs out of contingency

grant.

Sriganganagar Centre may pursue with the University authorities for lifting ban

on the recruitment of scientists for the posts sanctioned under AICRP(S) so that

research work is conducted more efficiently.

Bethuadahari Centre may pursue with the Government of West Bengal so that

funds allocated for the centre may be released by AICRP(S).

QRT observed that Buralikson Centre working under Assam Agricultural

University, Jorhat is not getting funds under non-recurring and recurring

contingencies as the Council has not allocated any funds under these heads during

2013-14 and 2014-15. Since in EFC of 12th

Five year Plan provision has been

made under these heads, therefore, the centre may be provided sufficient funds,

so that research work is not adversely affected.

It was also observed that none of the centres are getting funds under non-

recurring contingencies, as the Council has not allocated funds under this head for

last three years. For smooth working of the centres, the funds may be released by

the Council.

Based on the overall assessment, the performance of the All India Coordinated

Research Project on Sugarcane can be rated as “Very Good”.


General:

1. Efforts should be made to pursue State Governments to adopt varieties tested under the

AICRP(S) system and released & notified by the Central Government.

2. Centres should be prompted to send Release & Notification Proposals for varieties

identified during Workshops/Group Meetings well in time. Such varieties should be

brought under the umbrella of IPRs as well.

3. All State released varieties should be sent for notification.

4. Based on the advancements in sugarcane and sugar yields, there is a need to redefine

the Criteria for accepting and evaluating varieties under AICRP(S) system.

5. AICRP(S) may issue a compendium of latest and best package of practices to be

adopted for each Zone after the Workshop.

6. Digitization of huge data generated every year should be initiated for long term analysis

and inferences.

7. Considering the enhanced input and manpower costs, the contingency per scientist

needs up-gradation.

8. Reporting of data should follow laid out norms and formulae for fruitful analysis and

reporting. A Manual of data recording and analysis methodologies may be prepared for

use by the centres.

9. Capacity building of all the centres for juice and fibre analysis, fluff raising and disease

screening should be taken-up as per need.

10. In case of mechanization of sugarcane cultivation, the items of mechanized operations

may be put forth with quantified energy saving.

11. For meeting the expenses for the activities of National Hybridization Garden, provision

may be made for providing sufficient funds to ICAR- Sugarcane Breeding Institute,

Coimbatore.

12. Vacuum based Sett Treatment Device developed by ICAR-SBI, Coimbatore may be

tested under AICRP(S).

13. Red rot rating of entries tested under IVT and AVT is inconsistent across the locations.

There should not be any variation if testing is done under uniform conditions as per the

prescribed procedures. As red rot rating is very important in varietal identification and

release, the procedure for red rot testing followed by individual centres may be

reviewed and action taken to ensure precise results.

14. Seedling production at some of the centres is poor as against the fluff received form

SBI, Coimbatore. A lot of resources and valuable research time is spent on fluff

production and these efforts and resources are not justified unless sufficiently large

number of seedlings are raised. Proper training and facilities, if required, may be

provided to these centres to ensure that the seedlings productions are maintained at

acceptable levels.

15. The zonal crosses under the crop improvement programme may be modified every year

based on the progeny performance of the cross combinations.

16. Methodologies for maintaining viable inoculum of Puccinia melanocephala (Brown

rust of sugarcane) may be developed.

17. With new set of insecticides and other bio-control and cultural methods, Integrated Pest

Management module may be developed.

18. Technology needs to be developed for mass multiplication of Pyrilla purpusilla and its

parasite, Epiricania melanoleuca.

Zone wise:

Peninsular Zone:

19. Since the use of herbicides has been found quite effective in controlling binding weed

in plant crop, their effectiveness should rigorously be pursued in ratoon crop in which

this weed is a perpetual problem. There is a need for in-depth investigation on pheno-

biology and control of such obnoxious weeds.

20. The response of new genotypes to N or NPK is up to 125% of recommended dose,

therefore, it becomes imperative to study the nature of response to combinations of

nutrient sources under the umbrella of INM/ OFM (Organic Farming Module) to

exploit the yield potential of promising genotypes on sustained basis.

East Coast Zone:

21. Allelopathic synergy of inter-cropped sunnhemp vis-a-vis C:N ratio may be

investigated to exploit its beneficial effects in plant-ratoon system under wide row

spacing.

22. The beneficial effects of split application of potash may be seen in rainfed v/s irrigated

crop as well as plant v/s ratoon crop including its application one month prior to harvest

of plant crop.

23. The priming of 2-3 bud setts with organic starters may be compared with chemical ones

to affect economy and enhance sugarcane yield.

24. There is need to develop sugarcane varieties with deep root system capable of

withstanding flood conditions accentuated by natural calamities/disasters.

25. Pathotypes of red rot pathogen need to be collected afresh by all the centres of the zone.

North West Zone:

26. The use of heavy machinery repeatedly has created the problem of hard pan in the zone,

therefore, cross sub-soiling may create favourable rhizospheric environment. This

demands the studies on modification in soil compaction, moisture holding

characteristics and rooting pattern in relation to magnitude and frequency of sub-

soiling.

27. The rate of K applied with irrigation water one month prior to winter initiated ratoon

singly or with ZnSO4 needs to be intensively investigated in relation to stubble bud

sprouting and ratoon productivity frequently encountered with cold and/or frost

conditions.

28. In view of positive impact of Furrow Irrigated Raised Bed (FIRB) method of sowing

wheat and planting sugarcane at different periods, their simultaneous sowing/planting is

the key issue to be investigated using machinery to save time and expenditure on one

hand and diversify the cropping system with remunerative high value and low volume

crops on the other.

North Central Zone:

29. Since fresh Sulphitation Press Mud Cake (SPMC) has shown promise for winter

initiated ratoon, its effect may be evaluated after decomposing with chaffed sugarcane

trash and inoculated with microbial consortia and/or with natural inoculants.

30. Binding weed is a perpetual problem in sugarcane ratoon particularly under water-

logged conditions, therefore, the weed control efficiency (WCE) of herbicidal

treatments observed in plant cane needs to be worked out for ratoon crop.

31. The problem of sugarcane lodging in the zone may be studied in relation to time and

method of planting as well as time and magnitude of earthing-up vis-a-vis rooting

pattern in crop.

North East Zone:

32. The process of priming two-bud setts may be studied in relation to moisture regimes

and/or manurial treatments to effect economy on seed rate.

33. In acid soil, the role of secondary and micro-nutrients becomes very crucial, therefore,

it is inevitable to investigate their nutritional value on yield and quality of sugarcane

with their different sources and combinations.

C. Report: Krishi Vigyan Kendra, ICAR- IISR, Lucknow

C i. Brief History and Outstanding Achievements of the KVK

The Krishi Vigyan Kendra (Farm Science Centre) an innovative science–based

institution was established to accelerate the agricultural production and also to

improve the socio-economic conditions of the farming community of Lucknow

district. This Kendra was transferred to Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research on

dated 25 October 1999.

KVK is the district level vocational centre with an aim to accelerate agricultural

production and allied activities for improving the economic status of the agrarian

community. The concept of vocational training programme in agriculture through

KVK grew substantially due to greater demand for improved agriculture technology

by the farmers. The farmers require not only the knowledge and understanding of

intricacy of technologies, but also progressively more and more skills in application

of various complex agricultural production processes on their farms.

The effectiveness of the KVK was further enhanced by the addition of the activities

related to on-farm testing and front line demonstration on major agricultural

production technologies of selected crops in order to make the training of farmers

location specific, need based and resource orientated.

It conducts the need based skill oriented training programmes for creating job

opportunities for rural peasants. It also acts as a facilitator to coordinate the extension

activities of different line departments of State Government for the benefit of the

farmers.

KVK also coordinates in disseminating sugarcane based production technologies.

KVK was designed to impart the latest farm information to the farmers through work

experiences by applying the principles of “Teaching by Doing and Learning by

Doing”.

Salient Achievements during 2010-2015:

Introduction of tissue culture banana in Lucknow district.

Introduction of intercropping of vegetables under banana cultivation in Lucknow

district.

Popularization of zero tillage wheat cultivation in district premises.

Introduction of processing varieties of potato at farmers field

Popularization of nutritional kitchen garden at farmer’s field.

Creating awareness to Lucknow district farmers about fruit fly management in

mango crop.

Value addition of horticultural crops.

Popularization of sugarbeet as a fodder crop at farmers field.

New Initiatives

Introduction of Exotic vegetable cultivation in Lucknow district.

Introduction of intercropping of elephant foot yam and turmeric under mango

orchard.

Creating awareness about off season vegetable cultivation in protected condition.

Introduction of improved handy tools and implements for drudgery reduction of

farmwomen.

Popularization of newly developed innovative agricultural technology among

farmers.

Production and popularization of ‘Pashu Chocolate’ among Lucknow district

farmers.

Coordination among KVKs of same agro-climatic conditions to disseminate the new

technologies of sugarcane cultivation.

C ii. Mandate of the KVK

The mandate of KVK is Technology Assessment and Demonstration for its

Application and Capacity Development.

To implement the mandate effectively, the following activities are envisaged for each

KVK:

On-farm testing to assess the location specificity of agricultural technologies

under various farming systems.

Frontline demonstrations to establish production potential of technologies on the

farmers’ fields.

Capacity development of farmers and extension personnel to update their

knowledge and skills on modern agricultural technologies.

To work as Knowledge and Resource Centre of agricultural technologies for

supporting initiatives of public, private and voluntary sectors in improving the

agricultural economy of the district.

Provide farm advisories using ICT and other media means on varied subjects of

interest to farmers.


C iii.1. Structure and Organization

The KVK is under the administrative control of ICAR-IISR, Lucknow. The

Programme Coordinator is the Executive Head of the KVK. Subject Matter Specialists from

different fields of agriculture provide the need based technical training to the clients.

C iii.2. Management Practices

Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) reviews and provides necessary guidance to the

KVK at District level. At State level, the advisory, coordination and monitoring of KVK is

being taken up by Directors of Extension of Agricultural Universities concerned along with

the Director, ATTARI. At National level, the Deputy Director General (Agricultural

Extension) is the head for all extension related activities of KVK.

C iii.3. Collaboration with SAUs and other Research Organizations

The KVK has close collaboration with SAUs of UP and other research organizations

such as ICAR-CISH, Lucknow, ICAR-NBFGR, Lucknow, ICAR-IIVR, Varanasi, ICAR-

IIPR, Kanpur, ICAR-IVRI, Bareilly, Regional Centre of ICAR-CPRI, Modipuram, etc for

extension of latest technologies, seed material etc developed at these organizations.

C iii.4. Linkages with Clients/ End Users

Linkages with clients and end users were established through:

On Farm Testing/Trials: Following OFTs were conducted in five years (2010 to 2015) as

per identified major thrust areas:

Varietal Evaluation: 22

Integrated Crop Management: 19

Integrated Nutrient Management: 09

Integrated Pest Management: 13

Integrated Disease Management: 10

Nutritional Kitchen Gardening: 04

Disease Management: 16

Dairy Management: 16

Front Line Demonstration: Following FLDs on oil seeds, pulses and other crops/

enterprises were conducted at farmers’ field.

FLDs on Oil Seed crops: 272 Farmers

FLDs on Pulses crop: 326 Farmers

FLDs on other crops: 925 Farmers

Trainings Organized: Krishi Vigyan Kendra has imparted 404 training courses with

4195 participants including farmers, farm women, rural youth, sponsored and

extension personals on various topics with an objective to improve skill and upgrade

their knowledge. All training programmes were fully skill oriented and conducted by

following the principle of “Learning by doing”.

Other Extension activities were related to Advisory services, Diagnostic Visits, Field

Days, Kisan Goshthi, Kisan Mela, Animal Health Camps, Lectures, Farmers’ Fairs,

etc.

C iii.5. Human, Physical and Financial Resources

Staff Position (as on 31.03.2016)

Programme Coordinator (Vacant)

Dr. (Mrs.) Vineeka Singh, SMS (Home Science)

Dr. Deepak Rai, SMS (Plant Protection)

Dr. Rakesh Kumar Singh, SMS (Animal Science)

SMS (Agronomy): Vacant

Mr. Dhirendra Pratap Singh, Stenographer

Mr. Anoop Chand Kol, Supporting Staff

Mr. Shri Kishan, Supporting Staff

Training/ Demonstration Units of Krishi Vigyan Kendra

Vermicompost Unit

Bee-Keeping

Technology Park

Pashu Chokolate Production Unit

Nutritional Kitchen Garden

C iii.6. Planning for the Future

Activities of KVK

Identifying the location specificity of new technologies in various farming

system.

Frontline demonstrations to establish production potentials on the farmers’

fields.

Training of farmers and farm women to update their knowledge and skills in

modern agricultural technologies and training of extension personnel to orient

them about frontier areas of technology development.

Function as resource and knowledge based centre of agricultural technology for

supporting initiatives of public, private and voluntary sector for improving the

agricultural economy of the district.

Create awareness about frontier technologies through large number of extension

activities viz., Farmer fair, field day, strategic campaign, Ex-trainees sammelan,

and Farmers field school etc.

Making available the seed and planting materials produced by the KVK to the

farmers.


By intensively observing the KVK activities, talking to the farmers, its staff members

and interacting with other concerned scientists and personnel and also going through

functional records; there is no doubt that they are doing good work but a lot more is to

be done to fulfill the mandate of IISR to reach out the farmers in an effective,

meaningful and purposeful manner.

KVK, mandated with Assessment, Refinement and Demonstration of Technologies/

Products has significant achievements in introducing tissue culture technique and

inter-cropping of vegetables in banana, conservation agriculture with zero tillage in

wheat, popularization of potato processing and nutritional kitchen garden, value

addition of horticultural crops and sugarbeet as fodder crop in Lucknow district.

On-campus demonstrations on vermi-composting using sugarcane trash and banana

leaves, varietal evaluation of pulses, oilseeds, forage grasses and medicinal plants are

note-worthy on the concept 'Seeing is Believing'. Besides, large numbers of On-farm

Testing/Trials and FLDs have been done during the review period, the impact of

which has been reflected well in Peri-urban and rural areas of the district.

The outcome of training of farm women in preparation and preservation of value

added products from fruits and vegetable is well reflected in the operational areas.

Organization of ‘Animal Health Camps’ and providing veterinary services have

greatly improved the Animal-based Farming System as a sustainable source of family

health and livelihood.

Among new initiatives, Exotic Vegetable Cultivation, inter cropping of Elephant foot

yam and turmeric under mango orchard, off-season vegetable cultivation in protected

environment and 'Pashu Chocolate' are really commendable.

It was amazing to see the programme on 'Exotic Vegetable Cultivation' in adopted

village which can be compared with the system in any advanced country. It is

expected that the cultivation of Temperate Region Vegetables will spread on

commercial scale if the provision on Poly-houses and marketing avenues are provided

from Government/NGOs.

Based on the overall assessment, the performance of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra

can be rated as “Very Good”.


1. Participatory Technology Development (PTD) involving progressive farmers and

innovative young farm women and men of sugarcane and allied crops should be

developed.

2. KVK Technology Park must include latest varieties of crops and vegetables and also

other resource/ income generating farming practices. It should work as ‘Show

Window’ of IISR.

3. Home Science and Animal Husbandry Unit must be strengthened with new staff and

animals.

4. A lot more SHGs (Self Help Groups) to be created and income generating activities

are to be made popular among them by effective exposure and training.

5. Vermi-composting demonstrations are to be scaled up.

6. Bee keeping to be strengthened.

7. Adopting more number of villages (like Kasimpur) and encouraging farmers,

inspiring and training them to grow exotic vegetables to earn more.

8. KVK may adopt more agri-business centres focusing in key areas like ‘Sugarcane

Village’, ‘Dairy Village’, ‘Fruit and Vegetable Village’ to generate revenue and

employment in rural areas and meet the requirement of urban population.

9. All vacant positions must be filled up urgently to strengthen KVKs mandatory

activities and programmes.

10. On technology transfer, IISR-KVK must have two pronged strategy:

Dissemination of Production technology of sugarcane developed by IISR, to

the farmers for their overall economic and social development. For example,

value addition to jaggery produced by small/marginal farmers for their

livelihood; propagation of exotic vegetable production which have high

market demands among small vegetable growers.

Commercialization of such technology so as to generate substantial income for

IISR.

11. ICAR may provide one time Grant/Seed Money to establish poly/green houses to

produce seeds of exotic and other costly vegetables to supply to farmers.

12. It is very much needed to have one Mobile Exhibition Van and one Mobile Soil

Testing Lab by the KVK to reach out farmers more effectively and purposefully.

report of quinquennial review team...

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