Seed programme for better cane yield

A seed development programme has been prepared by Sugarfed, in coordination with PAU, Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Karnal and National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories, following the DNA test on sugarcane variety CO-238 revealing that it is not pure and has parentage of other multiple varieties.

The CO-238 variety of sugarcane is considered to be high-yielding and grown on almost 50 per cent of the area under cane cultivation in Punjab.

Sugarcane Crop
In India, Sugarcane is grown as a Kharif Crop. It needs hot and humid climate with an average temperature of 21°C to 27°C. 75-150 cm rainfall is favorable for sugar cane cultivation. Irrigation needed for areas with lesser rainfall. Sugarcane can grow in any soil which can retain moisture. Ideal soil for sugarcane is deep rich loamy soil. The soil needs to be rich in nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus but neither it should be neither too acidic nor too alkaline.