Introduced Germplasm and Varieties of Sugarcane

摘要

Sugarcane (Saccharum hybrids) is a major cash crop of the tropical and sub-tropical regions of India. In the world, India ranks second in area and production of sugarcane. Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore is the pioneering research center fordeveloping improved sugarcane varieties. It is designated as one of the two repositories of world collection of sugarcane genetic resources. It is also identified as the National Active Germplasm Site by NBPGR. Sugarcane improvement programme throughoutthe world is closely linked with the exploration, collection, introduction and utilisation of both cultivated and wild genetic resources. The interspecific hybridisation involving cultivated and wild species forms the basis of varietal improvement programmes.