Sugarcane farmers in Uttar Pradesh are set to get new high-yielding varieties as the state has approved four new sugarcane varieties for cultivation. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Seed Cane and Sugarcane Variety Release Sub-Committee, chaired by the Sugarcane and Sugar Commissioner on September 29.
The newly released varieties include three developed by the Uttar Pradesh Sugarcane Research Council (UPCSR), Shahjahanpur — CoS.23232 (early maturing), CoS.19235 and CoS.18232 (mid & late maturing) — and CoLk.21201 (early maturing), developed by the ICAR-Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research (ICAR-IISR), Lucknow.
With their promising yield and sugar potential, along with desirable agronomic traits, these varieties are expected to expand farmers’ choices and contribute to improved sugarcane and sugar productivity. The move is significant as farmers in Uttar Pradesh have been looking for alternatives to the widely cultivated Co.0238 variety, which has become increasingly vulnerable to diseases, particularly red rot. The deterioration of Co.0238 has affected cane productivity and sugar recovery in several areas, with implications for both sugar production and farmers’ returns.
CoS.23232 Records 95.56 Tonnes Per Hectare
According to data presented before the committee, the early-maturing CoS.23232 recorded an average plant-cane yield of 95.56 tonnes per hectare, which is 9.44% higher than Co.0238, the standard variety used for comparison.
The variety also recorded higher sugar content than Co.0238. Its sugar percentage was 13.10% in November, 13.77% in January, and 14.05% in March. CoS.23232 also performed well in the ratoon crop, recording an average yield of 80.57 tonnes per hectare, which was 3.16% higher than Co 0238.
The variety has resistance to red rot and good ratooning ability. The Director of the Uttar Pradesh Sugarcane Research Council said CoS.23232 will emerge as a suitable alternative to Co.0238 for farmers.
Co.Lakh.21201 Approved Across Uttar Pradesh
The early-maturing Co.Lakh.21201, developed by ICAR-IISR, Lucknow, recorded an average yield of 86.57 tonnes per hectare, broadly comparable with Co.0238. The variety has a high level of resistance to red rot and good ratooning performance. It has been approved for cultivation across Uttar Pradesh.
Two Mid-Late Maturing Varieties
The committee also approved two mid- and late-maturing varieties developed by the Uttar Pradesh Sugarcane Research Council — CoS.19235 and CoS.18232.
CoS.19235 recorded an average plant-cane yield of 87.58 tonnes per hectare, which was 21.01% higher than CoS.767, the standard variety used for comparison. It also recorded higher sugar content, while its average ratoon yield stood at 73.90 tonnes per hectare, 11.36% higher than the standard variety.
CoS.18232 performed even better in yield trials. Its average plant-cane yield was 92.38 tonnes per hectare, 26.51% higher than CoS.767. Its ratoon yield was 82.06 tonnes per hectare, representing a 23.70% increase over the standard variety.
Eight Notified Varieties Adopted
The committee also adopted eight sugarcane varieties notified by the Government of India for cultivation in Uttar Pradesh. The early-maturing varieties include CoP.16437, CoP.11438 and CoLk.16466. The mid- and late-maturing varieties include Co.16030, Co.17018, Co.18022, CoPb.17215 (CoPb.99) and CoPb.18213 (CoPb.100).
CoP.16437 and CoP.11438 have been identified as suitable for eastern Uttar Pradesh, while the other notified varieties have been adopted for cultivation in western and central Uttar Pradesh.
Six Old Varieties Declared Unsuitable
At the same meeting, the committee declared six old, unpopular and marginally cultivated varieties unsuitable for further cultivation. These are CoS.95255, 97264, 96275, 97261, CoSe.96436 and 98231. These varieties will be phased out and rejected over the next two years.
According to the Sugarcane Commissioner, approval of new varieties with higher yields and improved sugar recovery will expand the choices available to farmers. The introduction of these varieties is expected to support higher cane productivity, improve farm incomes, and benefit the state’s sugar industry through better cane quality and sugar recovery.