Crop Improvement
The Crop Improvement Division is headed by Dr. M.N. Premachandran (Principal Scientist)
The Thrust Areas of Research of this Division are:
Basic
- Inheritance studies on red rot resistance
- Characterization of Saccharum using molecular markers
- Molecular cytogenetics of Saccharum
- Anther culture to develop haploids
- Identification and cloning of sugarcane specific promoters and genes
Strategic
- Developing sugarcane cultivars against biotic and abiotic stresses through genetic transformation
- Development of interspecific and intergeneric hybrids of Saccharum
- National Hybridization programme
- Collection, conservation, characterization and utilization of sugarcane germplasm
Applied
- Breeding sugarcane varieties with improved productivity and adaptability for different agro climatic zones of the country
- Breeder seed production
Anticipatory
- Evaluation of Erianthus arundinaceus for utilization in paper manufacture
- DUS Testing of new sugarcane varieties
- Identification of clones for biofuel production
Research Programmes
The Division has three major programmes of research-
- 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
- BASIC AND STRATEGIC RESEARCHES FOR SUGARCANE VARIETAL IMPROVEMENT -12 projects are in operation under this programme
- 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
