1SBI NEWS July - September 2015

Dr. S. Ayyappan, Secretary, DARE and DG, ICAR visits ICAR-SBI

Dr. S. Ayyappan, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Government of India & Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi visited ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore on 27 August 2015. He had laid the foundation stone of a new Estate building in the premises (Fig. 1).

Dr. Bakshi Ram, Director, ICAR-SBI briefed Dr Ayyappan about the new initiatives made by the institute for the benefit of sugarcane farmers in the country. He also visited the transgenic glass house and saw the drought tolerant transgenic events of the variety Co 86032.

Dr. J.S. Sandhu, Deputy Director General (Crop Science), ICAR, New Delhi visited the institute on 15 July 2015.

DDG (CS) visits ICAR-SBI

Vol. 35 No. 4July - September 2015, Quarterly

SBI NewsICAR - Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore 641 007

Tamil Nadu, India

ISSN 0973 - 8170

CONTENTSDr. S. Ayyappan, Secretary, DARE and DG, ICAR visits ICAR-SBI 1Dr. J.S. Sandhu, DDG (CS), ICAR visits SBI 1 - 2Leaf mining hispa on sugarcane 2 - 4RAC and QRT Meetings 4 - 5

Outreach activities 5 - 6Other activities 7 - 8

He visited the experimental fields of the institute (Fig. 2) and various laboratories (Fig. 3). He lauded the research efforts made by the institute in terms of new sugarcane varieties and related crop production and protection

Fig. 1. Dr. S. Ayyappan, Secretary, DARE & DG, ICAR laying the foundation stone

Fig. 2. DDG (CS) visiting experimental fields

Fig. 3. DDG visiting laboratories

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hispa feeds by scraping the leaf surface leaving linear streaks (Fig. 5a). Grub feeds on the mesophyll and other soft tissues between the two epidermal layers of the lamina close to the leaf margins producing small yellowish blotch-like mines initially (Fig. 5b) which later turn into long tunnel-like mines (Fig. 5c). Fresh green or dry faecal matter is found inside the mines depending on the age of the mine (Fig. 5d). Leaves occasionally show multiple mines on both margins (Fig 5e) or in the upper half of the lamina towards the leaf tip. Voracious feeding by the grown-up grub on the mesophyll and other soft tissues between the two epidermal layers of the leaf lamina leads to complete drying of the mined area as well as the portion of leaf lamina above the mines on the leaf margin.

The characteristically spiny adults of the hispa (Fig. 6a) were rarely encountered during field surveys and freshly laid eggs were difficult to notice. Empty shells of eggs, usually laid singly on leaf margins partly embedded in the epidermis (Fig. 6b) along the linear axis of the lamina, could be located in the young or more prominent mature mines. Young grubs (Fig. 6c) were found in small freshly formed mines and grown-up grubs (Fig. 6d) or pupae (Fig. 6e) were located in larger mines, usually individually. Life cycle is known to be completed in about three-and-half to four weeks and adult reportedly lives for 2-3 months in subtropical India and these aspects need to be examined in the tropical sugarcane belt.

The pest is generally kept under check by parasitoids including Bracon sp. (Microbracon sp.), Elasmus sp. and Closterocerus sp. in subtropical conditions. In the present study site, several field-collected mines showed emergence holes (Fig. 7 a & d) either on the upper or lower or both sides which indicated parasitoid emergence in the field. When mines that showed parasitoid emergence were split open, two different types of grub or pupal remains were observed inside the mines. In one type, parasitized grub was reduced to a shriveled carcass (Fig. 7b) and one to seven cocoons (Fig. 7c) were found distributed inside the mines; one to seven parasitoid adults emerged from such sample mines and these were identified as an apparently new Bracon sp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) (Fig. 8a). In another type of parasitism, mines showed mummified grub (Fig. 7e) or pupal (Fig. 7f) remnants with emergence holes. Two species

SBI NEWS July - September 2015

Fig. 4. DDG interacting with scientists

Fig. 5. Damage symptoms of the leaf miner Asamangulia cuspidata in sugarcane: (a) linear feeding streaks made by the hispa; (b) young mine; (c) active mine with grown-up grub towards the right end; (d) opened mine showing feacal matter inside; (e) multiple mines on a single leaf

technologies. Later, he also had an interaction with all the scientists of the institute on individuals' research priorities related to sugarcane agriculture (Fig. 4). He called upon the scientists to bestow more attention on niche areas like climate resilient agriculture, bio-energy, sustainable sugarcane production and cost effective cultivation.

The leaf mining hispa Asamangulia cuspidata Maulik (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae: Hispini) was first reported in sugarcane from Pusa, Bihar, India, in the early

thpart of 20 century. Subsequently, it was reported as a minor pest of sugarcane with more frequent occurrence in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and West Bengal than in south India. The hispa is known to occur on hosts such as paddy and sorghum, besides sugarcane. In what appears to be the first instance of occurrence at Coimbatore, the hispa was detected by the authors in May 2014 during routine surveys in the experimental plots of ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute (ICAR-SBI) and growers' farms. Observations of its damage symptoms in the field revealed that the adult

Leaf mining hispa Asamangulia cuspidata on sugarcane in Tamil Nadu

Fig. 6. Life stages of the leaf miner Asamangulia cuspidata in sugarcane: (a) adult hispa; (b) egg inserted in the epidermis; (c) young and (d) grown-up grubs; (e) pupa

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of Pediobius (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) (Fig. 8b & c) and a possible hyperparasitoid Eurytoma sp. (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae) (Fig. 8d) also emerged from sample mines representing both types of parasitism. Although the aspects of multiple parasitism and hyper parasitism need further

SBI NEWS July - September 2015

observations, an overall parasitism rate of 39.3% for the four species of parasitoids was worked out on the basis of emergence holes at the time of collection and subsequent parasitoid emergence from sample mines.

Systematic inspection of sugarcane fields at Coimbatore, species clones at ICAR-SBI Research Center, Agali, Kerala State, and germplasm collection at ICAR-SBI Research Center, Kannur, Kerala State, indicated that the hispa occurred at low levels in Coimbatore and Agali with a mean cane infestation rate of 4.2% and leaf infestation rate of 12.4% in infested plants. The highest mean leaf area mined

2was 4.24 cm which constituted 1.28% of total leaf area. The miner did not exhibit enhanced levels of damage with increasing leaf size. The hispa was not observed in the germplasm collection at Kannur. In general surveys, mines of the hispa were also located in Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur districts of Tamil Nadu with occasional parasitoid presence.

The introduction and spread of pests between tropical and subtropical sugarcane belts had been restrained by natural and man-made barriers such as geographical isolation, varietal composition, crop management practices, etc. However, the expansion of area under cultivation and movement of harvested cane, and seed and germplasm material are apparently promoting the spread of pests such as the hispa. Pests such as top borer and Pyrilla that are endemic to the subtropical sugarcane belt, despite being apparently capable of adapting to a wider geographical region, generally maintained minor or occasional pest status in the milder and more conducive climate of the tropics that support temporally and spatially contiguous sugarcane in a somewhat semi-perennial crop system. The maintenance of such equilibrium could partly be due to the natural control brought about by the introduction and establishment of effective natural enemies as exemplified by the woolly aphid parasitoid Encarsia flavoscutellum. Sugarcane hispa has maintained minor status with restricted geographical range in subtropical India over the past few decades possibly due to the activity of natural enemies observed. It is possible that the hispa along with some identified and unidentified parasitoids may have been introduced in to Coimbatore from any of the states, namely Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and West Bengal, where the pest was previously reported.

The hispa is known to have completed three or four cycles and remained active during June - August in north Bihar and June - September in New Delhi. In the mild climatic conditions prevailing in the tropical sugarcane belt, the miner is likely to exhibit year-round activity as indicated by its continuous presence in the field at Coimbatore since May 2014. The detection of the hispa in a few other districts of Tamil Nadu suggests the need for additional surveys in the southern belt for a better understanding of its distribution. However, the low infestation levels in the present study site, despite the availability of huge foliage biomass and predominance of the popular cv Co 86032, indicate that the hispa is less likely to reach damaging levels primarily due to the activity of the parasitoids. Despite the indications that the three parasitoid genera have a complementary role in

Fig. 8. Parasitoids recovered from the leaf miner Asamangulia cuspidata infesting sugarcane: (a) Bracon sp., (b) & (c) Pediobius spp. and (d) Eurytoma sp.

Fig. 7. Types of parasitism in the leaf miner Asamangulia cuspidata infesting sugarcane: first type of parasitism showing (a) parasitoid emergence holes on mine surface, (b) shriveled carcass of parasitized grub and (c) parasitoid cocoons; second type of parasitism showing (d) parasitoid emergence holes on the mine surface with visible mummified grub inside the mine, and mummified (e) grub and (f) pupa with parasitoid emergence holes

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maintaining the current low levels of the pest in the present observation site, constant monitoring is needed to ensure the continuance of such natural control. If the three parasitoid genera observed in the present study site do not maintain the current low levels of the pest, the introduction of other species of parasitoids from the original home of the pest may be needed to establish the equilibrium between the pest and its natural enemy complex.

P. Mahesh, J. Srikanth and K.P. SalinEntomology Section

stThe 21 Research Advisory Committee meeting of ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore for the year 2015 was held at Coimbatore on 4 August 2015 (Fig. 9 - 10). Dr. P.L. Gautam, Former Chairman, Protection of Plant

Research Advisory Committee meeting

Fig. 9. RAC meeting in progress

from the non-official members, Dr. M. Manickam, Executive Vice Chairman, Sakthi Sugars, Coimbatore also participated in the meeting. The achievements during the period were presented by the Heads of Divisions / Sections and the RAC appreciated the work done.

The Quinquiennial Review Team (QRT) meeting of the institute was held during 25-30 September 2015. Dr. B. Mishra, Former Vice Chancellor, Sher-e-Kashmere University of Agricultural Science and Technology, Jammu & Kashmir, and Former Director, Directorate of Wheat Research, Karnal, Chairman and the membersDr. K. Prasada Rao, Retired Principal Scientist (Sugarcane); Dr. N.K. Singh, National Professor, National Research Centre for Plant Biotechnology, New Delhi; Dr. D.V. Yadav, Retired Head, Division of Crop Production, ICAR-Indian Ins t i tu te o f Sugarcane Research , Lucknow; Dr. G.G. Radadia, Professor and Head & PL-AICRP on Sugarcane Entomology, Dept. of Entomology, Navsari Agricultural University, Gujarat and Dr. S. Arulraj, Former Director, IIOPR, Rajahmundry participated in the meeting. The team reviewed the progress of the research and other activities of the institute for the period 2009-2014. They visited all the laboratories, experimental fields and SBI RC, Agali (Fig. 11-13). The QRT also visited ICAR-SBI RC Karnal during 26-27 November 2015. The team had the conclusive meeting during 19-21 November 2015 wherein the recommendations were finalized.

Quinquiennial Review Team meeting

Fig. 10. RAC team visiting experimental fields

Fig. 11. QRT meeting in progress

Fig. 12. QRT visiting experimental fields

Varieties and Farmers Rights Act / National Biodiversity Authority, Government of India and presently, Vice Chancellor, Career Point University, Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh and Chairman, RAC of the Institute presided over the meeting. The members present included Dr. V.P. Singh, Former Director of Research, RAU, Bihar; Dr. J. Vasantha Kumar, Registrar In charge and Dean, Faculty of Agriculture & Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension, Annamalai University, Chidambaram; Dr. H.E. Shashidhar, Professor, Dept. of Biotechnology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore; Dr. M.S. Palaniswami, Thiruvananthapuram; Dr. Bakshi Ram, Director, ICAR-SBI; Dr. R. Viswanathan, Member Secretary, RAC. Apart

SBI NEWS July - September 2015

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Fig. 13. QRT visiting seedling nursery

Fig. 16. Farmers visiting experimental fields

The significant achievements during the period include: release of 14 high yielding, high sugar varieties resistant to red rot and tolerant to salinity and drought; nine clones with early high sugar, high biomass, red rot resistance and short duration were registered with NBPGR as genetic stock; supported State Sugarcane Research Stations through NHG for release of eight state specific varieties; accreditation of the Pathology lab for virus testing and biotechnology lab for fidelity testing of tissue culture seedlings labs in the country to produce healthy and quality planting materials; identified ubiquitin derived Porteresia promoter system for sugarcane, vacuolar targeting of protein expression; developed transgenics for drought tolerance and pest resistance; developed a sett treatment device for disease management; developed stalk proteome for the first time in sugarcane, defense/SAR proteomes, complete genome sequencing of red rot pathogen, molecular basis of red rot /smut resistance in sugarcane, molecular diagnostics and new Bt gene/EPN for white grub management; 202 clones were collected through four expeditions; excelled in transfer of technology front in tropical and subtropical regions; conducted national level training programmes, R & D Workers Meetings, M.Sc. (Sugarcane Technology) course in collaboration with TNAU, Coimbatore in ODL mode. We received Sardar Patel Outstanding Institution (larger Institute) award 2013 from ICAR and Mahindra Krishi Samirdhi award for Public Institutions for its contribution to sugarcane agriculture.

The QRT has graded ICAR-SBI as 'OUTSTANDING' based on the overall and sustained performance and national leadership provided by the Institute.

Outreach Activities

National level Training programs

Five national level training programs for the cane development personnel of the country were sanctioned to the institute under National Food Security Mission by the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India during 2015-16. Four training programs were organized during 26-27 August 2015 with 25 participants, 10-11 September 2015 with 28 participants, 22-23 September with 25 participants and 29-30 September 2015 with 25 participants (Fig. 14 & 15).

Fig. 14. Dr. Bakshi Ram, Director, ICAR-SBI addressing the

trainees

Fig. 15. Trainees visiting experimental fields

Short term training program

A short term training of four days was organized for 25 farmers from Uttarakhand during 29 July to 1 August 2015. The training was sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, Uttarakhand and it comprised theory classes, field visits and practical sessions (Fig. 16).

One day training programs

Organized the following six one day training programs for farmers from Tamil Nadu:

15 farmers from Tamil Nadu on 1 July 20158 farmers from Tamil Nadu on 2 July 2015

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Fig. 20. Distribution of chulahs in Attukkal village

17 farmers from Tamil Nadu on 7 July 201516 farmers from Tamil Nadu on 8 July 201528 farmers from Tamil Nadu on 9 July 201516 farmers from Tamil Nadu on 10 July 2015

ICAR-SBI, Coimbatore participated in the Agri-Intex 2015 organized by CODISSIA at Trade Fair Complex during 17-20 July 2015 by putting up a stall (Fig. 17).

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Participation in exhibitions

ICAR-SBI Regional Centre, Karnal participated in the Kisan Samelan at KVK, ICAR-NDRI, Karnal on 14 July 2015 by putting up a stall. About one hundred and ten farmers visited the stall and scientists explained about sub tropical sugarcane agriculture.

Surveys were conducted in nine tribal villages viz. Sarkaraporethi, Kalkothi, Mariyathakovilpathi, Than ikkand i , Pachavaya lpa th i , J ak i rpore thy, Padiyarkovilpathi, Senkuttai, and Kuzhiyur for the implementationof Phase II of Tribal Sub Plan (Fig. 18 - 19).

Implementation of Tribal Sub Plan - Phase II

Focus group discussions were conducted in the villages visited to get first hand information about the villages, their felt and unfelt needs and the problems encountered by them for their livelihood. Based on participatory observation and discussion with tribal people, Sarkaraporethi and Kuzhiyur were selected for implementation of the scheme. Further visits were made to the selected villages and detailed discussions were held with the tribal villagers. Based on

Fig. 18. Survey in Kalkothi village

their demands, suitable technological interventions / developmental activities were finalized.

Sarkarporethi is a tribal village in Boluvampatti range with around 20 acres of cultivable land owned by 22 families and their demand was mainly for horticultural plants and minor irrigation facility. Kuzhiyur is a tribal village with more than 80 acres of arable land owned by 65 families. It was decided to supply improved seeds of pulses and vegetables, mini-flour mill, sewing machines, mini tractor with accessories and solar pumps as per their demand.

Attukkal village was earlier adopted by the institute during the first phase of the programme. As a drudgery reducing measure for tribal farm women, double potted fuel efficient chulahs were supplied to the tribal families. These chulahs apart from fuel efficiency, reduced the time taken for cooking and the food retained heat for a long duration than the conventional chulahs being used by them (Fig. 20).

(T. Rajula Shanthy, T. Arumuganathan, C. Jayabose,A. Bhaskaran, A. Vennila)

Planted a frontline demonstration on the variety Co 0212 at Chellampalayam, Tirupur district on 23 September 2015 in collaboration with Amaravathi Cooperative Sugar Mills.

As a first step towards implementation of Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav (My Village My Pride) scheme, 16 teams comprising four scientists each were formed. The teams had identified

Frontline demonstration

Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav

Fig. 17. A view of ICAR-SBI stall in Agri - Intex 2015

Fig. 19. Discussing with villagers in Kuzhiyur village

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Fig. 21. Dr Bakshi Ram, Director, ICAR-SBI addressing the staff after flag hoisting on Independence Day

Hindi Workshop

Hindi Day

The second Hindi Workshop of the year was conducted on 1 September 2015. Smt Chitra Krishnamoorthy, Assistant Professor, Shri Narayana Guru College, Coimbatore was the Chief Guest and she spoke on Noting and drafting in Hindi (Fig. 23).

Hindi Day was organized in the institute on 30 September 2015. Dr. B. Mishra, Former Vice Chancellor, Sher-e-Kashmere University of Agricultural Science and

Technology, Jammu & Kashmir, and Former Director, Directorate of Wheat Research, Karnal was the Chief Guest for the occasion (Fig. 24.). Various competitions were conducted and the winners were awarded.

Swachch Bharat Abhiyan

As an initiative towards a clean and green campus, the institute premise and the area around the residential quarters were planted with around 200 coconut saplings involving all the staff of the institute (Fig. 22).

80 villages, five each for adoption. Baseline surveys were conducted in the selected beneficiary villages and suitable interventions are being identified.

Independence Day was celebrated on 15th August 2015 at the institute. Dr. Bakshi Ram, Director, ICAR-SBI hoisted the national flag. This was followed by planting of coconut saplings in the institute premises (Fig. 21).

Other Activities

Independence Day celebration

Fig. 24. Hindi Day celebration

Fig. 22. Planting of coconut saplings

Fig. 23. Hindi workshop in progress

New projects

Education

M.Sc. (Sugarcane technology)

Ph.D. degree awarded

A new project on 'Farmer support program for sustainable sugarcane production in India' sponsored by SOLIDARID through PRAKRUTHI with an outlay of Rs. 14.50 lakhs was sanctioned for a period of one year starting from October 2015 (PI - Dr. T. Rajula Shanthy).

The project aims to train 1000 lead farmers representing eight sugar mills of Tamil Nadu on sustainable agricultural practices to improve their knowledge base and thereby enhance cane productivity and profitability of cane farming. The trained lead farmers would serve as leaders, communicators and change agents to enable fellow farmers take up sustainable farming at village level.

Conducted the personal contact classes for IV Semester students of M.Sc. (Sugarcane technology) course with 17 students during 13-17 July 2015.

Mrs. Priji was awarded Ph.D. degree by Anna University w.e.f. 15.09.2015 for her thesis entitled 'Molecular

SBI NEWS July - September 2015

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Published by : Dr. Bakshi Ram, Director, ICAR-SBI, Coimbatore

Editors : Drs. T. Rajula Shanthy and Bakshi Ram

Fax : 0422 - 2472923 E-mail : info@sugarcane.res.in

Website : www.sugarcane.res.in

This Newsletter is available at

www.sugarcane.res.in/news Oct 15. pdf

ISSN : 0973 - 8170

Printed at Prdag Print

Coimbatore

ICAR-SBI

Quarterly

Newsletter

SBI NEWS July - September 2015

Scientific participation

S.No. Programme Scientist(s)

1. PPVFRA Seminar at NASC Complex, New Delhi on 7 July 2015 Dr. Bakshi Ram2. Pre- Kharif 2015 Kisan Samelan at KVK, ICAR-NDRI, Karnal on 14 July 2015 Dr. Neeraj Kulshreshtha

rd3. 23 meeting of Plant Germplasm Registration Committee on 17 July 2015 Dr. Bakshi Ram

4. SISSTA meeting at Chennai during 23-24 July 2015 Dr. Bakshi Ram5. ICAR Foundation Day and National Conference of Krishi Vigyan Kendras at Patna Dr. Bakshi Ram

during 25-26 July 2015th6. 190 meeting of Board of Directors of Tamil Nadu Sugar Corporation Ltd. Dr. Bakshi Ram

on 7 August 2015

7. Farmers-Scientists Interactive meeting or ganized by CIAE RC, Coimbatore on Dr. G. Hemaprabha27 August 2015 Dr. T. Rajula Shanthy

Dr. A. Bhaskaranth8. 11 Joint Convention of STAI and DSTA at Goa during 4-6 September 2015 Dr. G. Hemaprabha

Dr. S. AlarmeluDr. T. Rajula ShanthyDr. V.P. SobhakumariDr. T. Ramasubramaniam

9. Farmer-Scientist-Industry interaction on current scenario and future challenges in Dr. Neeraj Kulshreshthasugarcane under sub-tropics at CCS HAU Regional Research Station, Uchani, Karnal on 15 September 2015

10. Inaugural Session of the seminar organized by NISSTA in association with IISR, Dr. Bakshi RamLucknow on 22 September 2015

11. National Workshop on Current trends in agricultural bioinformatics at NAARM, Dr. R. ManimekalaiHyderabad during 22-24 September 2015 Dr. P.T. Prathima

characterization of elite sugarcane cultivars and identification of specific candidate genes for drought response' done under the guidance of Dr. G. Hemaprabha.

Two Ph.D. scholars have been enrolled by Bharathiar University, and one scholar under Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirapalli to conduct research in Biotechnology at the Institute.

Institute Management Committee meeting on 5 August2015

Senior Officers Committee meeting during 22 July2015, 29 August 2015 & 21 September 2015

Institute Joint Staff Council meeting on 31August 2015

Grievance Committee meeting during 20 July 2015, 12August 2015 & 10 September 2015

Women Cell meeting on 02 September 2015

Selection Committee meeting for the post of SkilledAssistant & Senior Research Fellow during 13 July2015, 10 August 2015, 11 August 2015 & 13 August 2015

Quarters Allotment Committee meeting during 20 July2015, 01 August 2015 & 19 September 2015

Other meetings

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Department Promotion Committee meeting forclearance of probation and confirmation for SkilledSupport Staff on 22 September 2015.

Farm Advisory Committee meetings on 29 July 2015 & 29 August 2015.

Shri P. Selvaraju, TSL appointed as Skilled Support Staffat this Institute w.e.f. 05 August 2015

Dr. C. Karpagam, Senior Scientist (Agrl. Extension)transferred to CICR- Regional Station, Coimbatorew.e.f. 14 August 2015

Smt T. Sarojini, Skilled Support Staff retired fromservice on superannuation on 30 July 2015

Shri Y. Somasekhara Goud, Assistant Chief TechnicalOfficer retired form service on superannuation on 31August 2015

Dr R. Balakrishnan, Principal Scientist retired fromservice on superannuation on 30 September 2015

Shri R. Guruswamy, Skilled Support Staff retired fromservice on superannuation on 30 September 2015

Appointments

Transfer

Retirement