ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute (ICAR-SBI), Coimbatore, India, established in 1912 , released Co 205, the first interspecific (Saccharum officinarum x S. spontaneum) commercial hybrid cane variety in 1918, which revolutionized sugarcane cultivation in the Indian sub continent. To commemorate the 100 year of release of Co 205, an International Symposium (SucroSym 2017) is being organized in Hotel Le Meridien, Coimbatore, India during 18-21 September 2017.
The symposium is to commemorate the 100th year of release of Co 205, the first inter-specific commercial cane hybrid variety, which revolutionized cane cultivation in the country. At present, Co and Co-allied sugarcane varieties occupy more than 98% of the area under cane in the country.
Co 86032 and Co 0238 are the two wonder varieties that have been evolved at this institute, and these two together occupy 40 per cent of the cane area. Co 205, the first interspecific (Saccharum officinarum x S. spontaneum) commercial hybrid variety released in 1918 revolutionized sugarcane cultivation in the Indian sub-continent. This variety replaced the traditional S. barberi clones, bringing about three-fold increase in cane yield in the erstwhile Punjab province. The concerted efforts by breeders resulted in the release of several landmark varieties including Co 419, the first 'Wonder cane of tropical India'. The release of Co 86032 and Co 0238, popularly known as 'wonder canes of new millennium' brought in sweet revolution in the tropical and subtropical cane belts of India, respectively.
The four-day symposium is being organised in association with Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, South India Sugar Mills Association - TN (SISMA) and the Society for Sugarcane Research and Development, Coimbatore.
