New sugarcane variety makes farmers rich
Nemani Chandrasekhar
http://www.sakaaltimes.com/SakaalTimesBeta/20100323/5264113055350179233.htm
PUNE: The new sugarcane variety CoM 0265, which has enhanced state’s sugar output considerably during the ongoing crushing season, has brought prosperity to a large number of sugarcane farmers.
Also known as Phule 265, the cane variety had covered over one-fourth of total area under cane cultivation in the state last year and subsequently registred a marked increase in sugar output, according to Sugar Commissionerate officials.
Developed by Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, the variety is expected to become more popular among farmers since it is tolerant to salty land and drought like conditions as well as immune to pests and diseases.
Per hectare yield of Phule 265 variety is 20 to 40 per cent higher than the prevalent popular varieties and sugar recovery is also 20 to 30 per cent higher, said Sugarcane expert at MPKV’s Central Sugarcane Research Station at Padegaon in neighbouring Satara district Dr Keshav Paul.
“This mid-late variety requires less water and can be taken for all three seasons of planting viz suru, pre-season and adsali planting. The ratoon yield potential is also high for Phule 265. It has recovery rate slightly lower (0.25 to 0.5 per cent) than prevalent sugarcane varieties,” he added.
Elated with the good results of Phule 265, Indian Council of Agricultural Research has recommeded six cane-producing states in the country to go for the cultivation of variety developed by MPKV.
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Chandrasekhar, Nemani
Program Associate
Watershed Support Services and Activities Network (WASSAN)
H.No. 12-13-450, Street No.1, Tarnaka
Secunderabad - 500 017, Andhra Pradesh, India
Website: www.wassan.org, www.rainfedfarming.org