Crop Improvement

The Crop Improvement Division is headed by Dr. M.N. Premachandran (Principal Scientist)

The Thrust Areas of Research of this Division are:

1. Inheritance studies on red rot resistance
2. Characterization of Saccharum using molecular markers
3. Molecular cytogenetics of Saccharum
4. Anther culture to develop haploids
5. Identification and cloning of sugarcane specific promoters and genes

1. Developing sugarcane cultivars against biotic and abiotic stresses through genetic transformation
2. Development of interspecific and intergeneric hybrids of Saccharum
3. National Hybridization programme
4. Collection, conservation, characterization and utilization of sugarcane germplasm

1. Breeding sugarcane varieties with improved productivity and adaptability for different agro climatic zones of the country
2. Breeder seed production

1. Evaluation of Erianthus arundinaceus for utilization in paper manufacture
2. DUS Testing of new sugarcane varieties
3. Identification of clones for biofuel production

Research Programmes

The Division has three major programmes of research-

1. BREEDING SUPERIOR SUGARCANE VARIETIES OF DIFFERENT MATURITY WITH IMPROVED CANE YIELD, QUALITY AND RESISTANCE TO BIOTIC AND ABIOTIC STRESSES - 10 projects are in operation under this programme
2. BASIC AND STRATEGIC RESEARCHES FOR SUGARCANE VARIETAL IMPROVEMENT -12 projects are in operation under this programme
3. SUGARCANE GERMPLASM : COLLECTION, MAINTENANCE, EVALUATION, DOCUMENTATION AND UTILISATION - 3 projects are in operation under this programme

carried under the following Disciplines:

• Plant Breeding
• Genetics and Cytogenetics
• Bio-Technology
• Seed Technology
• Economic Botony