ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute Regional Centre,Karnal

The Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Regional Centre, Karnal was established as early as 1932 to act as a liaison with the main Institute at Coimbatore, and with a view to securing first hand knowledge about the performance of various Coimbatore seedlings /canes and their parents under the sub-tropical conditions. This centre acts as a prism through which main Institute at Coimbatore observes and evaluates the behaviour of Co canes under the climatic conditions of North throughout the year.This regional centre has several landmark achievements to its credit.

This Regional Centre is located on the National Highway No.1 about 130 km North of Delhi. The location stands at 29.1-29.5⁰ N and 76.3-77.1⁰ E, at an elevation of 243 m above mean sea level. The climate is sub-tropical with mean maximum temperature ranging between 34-39⁰ C in summer and mean minimum temperature ranging between 6-7⁰C in winter.

→ To evaluate sugarcane germplasm under sub-tropical conditions and identify potential donors for charaters of economic importance

→To conduct inheritance studies in sugarcane varietal crosses for sugar and stalk yield components, biotic and aboitic stresses under sub-tropical conditions of India

→To evalute sugarcane varieties for North Western Zone of India

→To produce breeder seed of some elite sugarcane varieties for supplying to sugar mills and famers.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Head of The Regional Centre:

Dr M.L.Chhabra

Principal Scientist (Plant Pathology)

Head- Regional Center (Karnal)

E_mail Id: ml.chhabra@icar.gov.in

Address of Research Centre-Karnal: 

ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute

Research Centre,Karnal

Agar Sein Marg,
Karnal- 132001,
Haryana
Telephone: 0184-2268096,

 Email: headsbirc@gmail.com, ml.chhabra@icar.gov.in