Workshops, Round Tables and Seminars Conducted By SRDB

29th Board of Governor’s meeting of Sugarcane Research and Development Board (SRDB) was held on 22 April 2024 at Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, Multan. Ch. Muhammad Zaka Ashraf Chair the meeting. Various proposals were discussed in the meeting for the development of Sugarcane crop. It was decided to facilitate high quality research, development activities to increase sugarcane and sugar yield, profitability through mechanized farming and other sustainable production practices.

The meeting of committee constituted for identifying high priority research areas (Pre-qualification criteria) for solicited and unsolicited projects was held on 25 September, 2019 at 11:00 AM, in conference room of Sugarcane Research and Development Board.

Pakistan send its sugarcane varieties through SRDB to Sri lanka for breeding purposes and received 100 crosses in 2019. The material mentioned hereunder was released by the providing party “SRDB” to the receiving parties i.e. Sugarcane Research Institute, Faisalabad, Shakarganj Sugar Research Institute Jhang and Fatima Sugar Research & Development Centre,
Muzaffargarh. Needless to indicate, as per decision given by the governing body of SRDB, the distribution of the stuff would be done under dully signed agreement and the expected outcome (Sugarcane varieties) from this germplasm would be intellectual property right of the both organizations i.e. research institutes and SRDB

Our Research Officer Waqas Raza Arshad participated in foreign training titled “Virus Vector Vice Versa” held between 08 June to 21 June, 2019 at the University of Bristol, UK. This training module included lectures and practical work on viral diseases symptoms recognition, PCR, DNA barcoding, Minion (DNA and RNA Sequencing), Phylogenetic, LAMP tests, Virus Vector interactions and Insect Taxonomy.

CEO SRDB participated in ISSCT 3^rd workshop on “Agri-Engineering, agronomy and extension” held between 23-28 Sept. 2018, Reunion island, FRANCE. Theme of the event was “Farming for the future: Improving productivity and ecological resilience in sugarcane production systems”. Objective of the participation was to initiate collaborations among key international stakeholders of sugarcane agronomy and Agri-engineering. Over 100 sugarcane researchers from more than 11 countries, participated in the event.

A meeting of germplasm import review committee was held on 12 October, 2018 to thoroughly discuss proposed germplasm import agreements and its future impacts on Punjab sugarcane research and industry.  Committee recommended the agreements of SRDB with leading sugarcane breeding institutes of world. Furthermore, CEO SRDB, distributed a total of 11 imported sugarcane varieties and these were distributed among Sugarcane Research Institute, Faisalabad, Shakarganj Sugar Research Institute, Jhang and Fatima Sugar Research & Development Center, Muzaffargarh

greements Information Management System

Statement of Work

Title: Transfer of true sugarcane seed for evaluation by the Sugarcane Research Development Board, Faisalabad, Pakistan.

Objective: Develop sugarcane commercial clones having high yield potential, ratoon ability with biotic and abiotic tolerance.

Approach: Sugarcane seedlings will be produced from high-yielding disease-resistant parental clones. Superior clones with high vigor, growth and freedom from diseases will be selected and established in yield trials to identify superior clones.

Statement of Mutual Interest: All parties are actively engaged in independent research projects which involve development of high yielding and disease resistant clones for production of sugar. The parties agree that meeting the objectives of this project will strengthen and enhance ongoing research within the scope of this agreement.

The Cooperator (Receiving parties) Agrees To:

1. Conduct research at Cooperator facilities to obtain information about the Material with regard to:

   1. Performance at initial stage of selection.

   2. Clonal cane yield, sugar yield, and sugar content in advanced selection trials.

   3. Disease reaction.

   4. Provide data to SRDB on an annual basis (or as collected).

SRDB Agrees To:

1. Work closely with the Cooperator to select and provide maximum true sugarcane seeds per year.

2. Secure phytosanitary permits for selected seeds.

3. Assist as requested in the inputs, human resource, infrastructure and development of experimental design and data evaluation.

SRDB and Cooperator Agree To: Work together in determining if any selections are worthy of public release.

Distributing material: The distributary material consists of 319 crosses/true seed of sugarcane and 20 commercial varieties from different countries and was equally distributed among 3 research institutes of Punjab.

With reference to worthy Secretary Agriculture directions to immediately start studies on performance of Sugar beet varieties under saline sodic soils at Soil Salinity Research Institute (SSRI), Pindi Bhattian, Sugarcane Research Institute, AARI, Faisalabad and Sugarcane Research & Development Board SRDB. A meeting was organized by SRDB coordination and support to formulate future line of action for conduct of the trials. Sugar beet trails were started on 24 November, 2017 and field visit was conducted on 06 February, 2018. Following were participants of the field visit:

• Dr. Shahid Afghan, Acting CEO, SRDB (Coordinator)
• Mr. Muhammad Ilyas, Director, SSRI, Pindi Bhattian
• Mr. Muhammad Qaiser Nawaz, ARO, SSRI, Pindi Bhattian
• Mr. Waqas Arshad, Research Officer, SRDB

With reference to worthy Secretary Agriculture directions to immediately start studies on performance of Sugar beet varieties under saline sodic soils at Soil Salinity Research Institute (SSRI), Pindi Bhattian, Sugarcane Research Institute, AARI, Faisalabad and Sugarcane Research & Development Board SRDB. A meeting was organized by SRDB coordination and support to formulate future line of action for conduct of the trials. Thus, sowing of sugar beet trails were conducted on on 24 November, 2017 as per decided in the meeting.

With reference to worthy Secretary Agriculture directions to immediately start studies on performance of Sugar beet varieties under saline sodic soils at Soil Salinity Research Institute, Pindi Bhattian and with the involvement of Sugarcane Research Institute, AARI, Faisalabad, SRDB conducted a meeting to formulate future line of action for conduct of the trials. Participants of the meeting were as follows

1. Shahid Afghan, Acting CEO, Sugarcane Research and Development Board (Coordinator)
2. Muhammad Ilyas, Director, Soil Salinity Research Institute, Pindi Bhattian
3. Muhammad Qiaser Nawaz, ARO, Soil Salinity Research Institute, Pindi Bhattian
4. Khalil Ahmad Khaira, DGM (Cane), Safina Sugar Mills Lallian
5. Azhar Munir, Farm Manager, Sugarcane Research Institute, Faisalabad
6. Waqas Arshad, Research Officer, Sugarcane Research and Development Board

Proceedings:

• Meeting on Performance of Sugar Beet Varieties under Saline Sodic Soil started with the brief presentation of Dr. Shahid Afghan CEO, SRDB. He describes the world-wide cultivation trends of sugar beet along with major sugar beet producing countries.
• Khalil Khaira added his experience into conversation that timely sowing between 1^st to 15^th October produces optimum yield as delay in sowing makes crop prune to more harsh winters and growth mostly seizes during this time span that lasts almost for 1 month.
• Director, SSRI told that he will conduct trials and will share short and long-term layout plans using different salinity levels. Furthermore, all major inputs including land, fertilizers, pesticides, field staff etc will be managed by SSRI
• Khalil Khaira will provide 2 varieties for trials. Technical parameters like sowing and harvesting procedures will be supported by Safina Sugar Mills along with regular experiment visits and training of SSRI field staff.
• SRDB will financially support SSRI in developing salinity chambers for the experiment. For this purpose, SSRI will submit proposal for developing salinity chambers to SRDB for funding.

Meeting was concluded on the note to conduct this experiment in the earliest possible time. Members acknowledge the experiment and assures to provide each other with inputs and expertise in full ability.

Work shop held at PC Lahore PPRA  dtd 26-27 Sep 17, on PPRA (Punjab Procurement Regulatory Authority)  Rules & Green Procurement. Administration Officer SRDB (Mian Umair Mustafa) given
his extensive Participation.

Key Agenda Points

• Welcome Address: Dr. Shahid Afghan (CEO, SRDB)
• Presentation: Mechanization in Sugarcane Production by Mr. Ahsan Bajwa (CEO, Farm Dynamics Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd.)
• Presentation: Benefits of Sugarcane Planter by Mr. Mujib Arjumund (Cane
• Expert, Farm Dynamics Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd.)
• Question & Answers
• Presentation: Modern Techniques of Sugarcane Plantation by Mr. Shahid Saleem (Business Development Agronomist, Green Revolution (Pvt) Ltd.)
• Question & Answers
• Tea Break
• Training and Demonstration of Mechanical Planter of Sugarcane at SRI Farm
• Vote of Thanks: Dr. Naeem Ahmed Gill, Director Sugarcane Research Institute
• General Discussion

The Demonstration For New Sugarcane Planter was very helpful to give awareness about the latest technologies used in sugarcane industries to the stake holders, Sugarcane Industry Representatives,  Scientists, Researchers and farmers showed and expressed their interest to adopt planting technologies to reduce production costs. They  expressed their concerns and asked questions about new technology and its implementation. Participants were thankful to the SRDB for providing them an opportunity to get awareness about the new technologies and their benefits.

Agenda Points:

1. Inauguration: Dr. Jack C. Comstock
2. Welcome address: Dr. Abid Mahmood. DG (Research) AARI, Faisalabad
3. Introductory note: Dr. Shahid Afghan. Acting CEO, SRDB (Punjab)
4. Induction of Desired Characteristics in Sugarcane Plant through Breeding Techniques: Dr. Naeem Ahmad. Director, SRI, Faisalabad
5. R and D Activities at Fatima Sugar Research and Development Center (FSRDC): Dr. Syed Zia ul Hussnain
6. R and D Activities at SSRI for Sugarcane improvement: Mr. Aamir Shahzad
7. Sugarcane Breeding at Murree: Mr. Farooq Ahmad, ARO, SRI, Faisalabad
8. Sugarcane Variety Development Program at SCRI, Mardan: Dr. Muhammad Tahir
9. Sugarcane Varietal situation in Sindh and role of NSTHRI for Development of new Varieties: Mr. Riaz Noor Panhwar
10. R & D Activities on Sugarcane at NIA, Tandojam: Mr. Muhammad Tahir Khan
11. Seedling; A Vital Contribution in Varietal Development Program at SRI, Faisalabad: Ijaz Tabassum, SRI, Faisalabad
12. Combined use of Distillery Spent wash and Chemical Fertilizers in Sugarcane: Mr. G. M. Kaloi

Proceedings:

1. An International workshop entitled “R & D activities on sugarcane plant improvement” was organized on August 09, 2017 in Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad by Sugarcane Research and Development Board. Meeting started with the recitation of Holy Quran by Mr. Hafiz Walayat Ali Khan. Objectives of the seminar was to foresee latest breeding strategies, trends and to find solutions of prevailing sugarcane development complications.
2. Acting Chief Executive Officer requested Dr. Jack C. Comstock to declare the session open. Dr. Jack C. Comstock inaugurated the session and told about his 15 years of affiliation with sugarcane advancement through fuzz/clonal exchange programs, then he discussed in detail about Sugarcane variety background in Pakistan. He put light on Census of Varieties with CP germplasm as breeding strategy, Yield of released and promising varieties, Potential of clones in the pipeline and Potential impact of these varieties. Dr. Abid Mahmood asked for identifying better place in Pakistan for sugarcane breeding, Dr. Jack replied flowering and hybridization can be grown both in Murree and Thatta with restructuring the available resources, scientist employed in these stations must be facilitated with infrastructure having temperature and light control systems. Dr. Abid Mahmood ordered Muhammad Farooq ARO, Sub-station Murree, to start the breeding process within this year according to the recommendations and conclusions made by Dr. Jack on Murree visit, it was also told to Muhammad Farooq to stay herein Faisalabad to prepare budget so that the finances for breeding are released for early start of work.
3. Acting Chief Executive Officer, Sugarcane research and development board presented his key note by congratulating all stake holders for record sugar production. He identified flaws in the availability of early, medium and late maturing varieties in Pakistan. He proposed sugarcane selection breeding model in which Pakistan should have at least 50000 original seedlings in the first year. He urged different research institutions to start collaboration in exchange of material before National Uniform Varietal Yield Trials (NUVYT) preferably at advance line stage with around 500 clones. It was also told that SRDB is collaborating internationally with ARS-USDA, USA, CTC Brazil, CENGICANA Guatemala, SRI, Sri Lanka and Visa-cane CIRAD France for exchange of material both in terms of fuzz and clones.
4. Muhammad Naeem Director, Sugarcane Research Institute Faisalabad discussed Induction of desired characteristics in sugarcane plant through breeding techniques. He emphasized on the development of site specific varieties having pre-basic and basic seed standards. He debated the role of charapani breeding substation, Murree. Breeding methods in Murree are open pollination, hybridization, import of exotic fuzz and direct introduction. SRI Faisalabad & SSRI Jhang collectively had send 60 promising and commercial varieties to Sri Lanka for hybridization. They also have direct introduction varieties from Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Philippines and USA. Mr. Riaz Noor asked about the flowering intensity percentage of varieties at Murree and the answer was 40%.
5. Zia ul Hussnain, communicated their research and development activities at Fatima Sugar Research and Development Center (FSRDC). Their research sections include Plant pathology laboratory, Soil and water testing laboratory, Biological control laboratory, Cane quality laboratory and research farms. FSRDC is depending on import of cane fuzz for its sugarcane selection breeding program. They also provide hot water treatment facility to farmers. Dr. Jack asked about the efficiency of hot water treatment, Dr. Zia answered it is good for the management of red rot, borers and provides early germination to sugarcane.
6. Aamir Shahzad, Research officer, Shakarganj Sugar Research Institute, SSRI Jhang elaborated the functioning of institute, its history, their sections of research, advancement made with time, list of pipeline varieties with general characteristics, selection breeding program with import of fuzz from multiple countries. They are also undertaking NUVYT trails to assess varietal performance. Their institute also have pathology lab, bio control lab for the rearing of Trichogramma and Chrysoperla species, bio compost facility, tissues culture lab and soil and water advisory services. Dr. Jack asked about the exchange of material with other institutes, Mr. Aamir said they exchange their material with SRI Faisalabad, FSRDC Muzafargarh and PARC Thatta.
7. Muhammad Farooq, ARO SRI substation Murree, started his presentation with the objective to conduct sugarcane breeding program for developing promising clones/varieties that suit best to various agro-climatic regions of Pakistan. He discussed in detail about the process of breeding and showed results of previous year and asked about financial assistance from SRDB is development of substation so that breeding may take place in controlled condition so that maximum germination in terms of seed and flowering is achieved. Dr. Shahid Afghan asked about difference between tunnel and control methods of breeding and the answer was that both processes have same results. Dr. Jack asked Mr. Farooq to contact him after workshop to help him in making of budget for breeding accessories.
8. Muhammad Tahir, Senior research officer, SCRI Mardan, argued sugarcane varietal program at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He told that they import fuzz from USA, South Africa and Australia for their breeding program and it has limitations that is why they need to develop their own breeding program. While developing local breeding station they will have local viable adequate fuzz. He said he is willing to renovate Sugarcane Breeding Station, Jabban Dargai. Dr. Shahid Afghan asked about the source of fuzz for the development of Bannu varieties and requested to follow varietal nomenclature while naming varieties.
9. Riaz Noor Panhwar, Senior Scientific officer, PARC, Makli, Thatta presented Sugarcane Varietal Situation in Sindh and Role of NSTHRI in New Variety Development. He said currently 205 sugarcane varieties/genotypes are being maintained in germplasm for flowering behavior study and synchronization. 695.9 g fuzz (true seed) has been collected from different sugarcane varieties/genotypes. 7150 new sugarcane clones were developed through local fuzz. He explained that two new varieties have been approved by PARC namely Thatta-2109 and Thatta-326 and many other promising varieties are in pipeline. Dr. Shahid Afghan said you must be more explanatory while conducting and describing trails as 10000 and 25000 seedlings are giving same number of clones. Secondly, he pointed out that do not take brix data in September rather is must be taken in November. Thirdly, he said triton is very old variety and it must be discouraged for multiplication and breeding.
10. Muhammad Tahir Khan, Nuclear Institute of Agriculture Tandojam, said plant improvement is need of the hour because of conventional breeding, non-flowering or sporadic flowering with poor seed setting under natural conditions, if seed setting occurs, germination is very poor and mortality rate is very high and Lack of facilities for induction of flowering by artificial means and these limitations can be resolved by biotechnology, exotic germplasm evaluation and mutagenesis. They are also undergoing callus culture for genetic diversity and crosses were obtained from Sri lanka. They are using RAPD (Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA) Primers for genetic studies. Their future directions for research are Sugarcane white leaf disease, enhancement of stress tolerance in sugarcane in adverse climatic conditions and exploration of sugarcane genome and development of promising molecular markers for sugarcane breeding. Dr. jack asked about the process and efficiency of soma clonal variations and Dr. Shahid Afghan suggested him about the inefficiency of RAPD markets and asked him to use latest markers for genetic studies.
11. Ijaz Tabassum, Assistant Botanist, SRI Faisalabad presented his views on Seedling; A Vital Contribution in Varietal Development Program. He found flaws or lack of facilities in breeding at Faisalabad as an independent laboratory, freezer -20C, germination test facility, mist irrigation system, man power and healthy environment is required. He shared the data of seedlings and advance clones attained as the result of breeding program. Performance of direct introduction varieties from USA and Philippines.
12. G. M. Kaloi, Senior Scientific officer, NSTHRI, PARC, Thatta was the last presenter of International workshop. His title was Combine use of distillery spent wash and chemical fertilizers in sugarcane. He gave the introduction of spent wash and its potential in agriculture and sugarcane in particular. He studies various combination and treatments of spent wash for increasing soil properties, cane quality and yield. His field study shows that 10% spent wash + 2/3^rd NP fertilizer enhanced cane yield and sugar recovery.

Vote of thanks/MOU:

Acting CEO thanked all participants for their result oriented participation and said he learnt something from every presentation. He emphasized participants to take keen interest in implementation of findings. He also thanked Dr. Jack C. Comstock for his interest in improving sugarcane pathology and breeding in Pakistan. MOU was served to all representatives of sugarcane research institutes to thoroughly read and to give their suggestions within 15 days after workshop for approval so that exchange of material between research institutes gets progress and efficient sugarcane breeding is started.

Recommendations:

Recommendations formulated by Dr. Jack C. Comstock was shared with all participants at the end of workshop:

• Continue to support foreign training of young Pakistani scientists
• Expand disease-free seed cane as rapidly as possible
• Initiate National Crossing and Variety Development Program in Pakistan in cooperation with SRDB (Punjab)
• Support for import of cane fuzz and germplasm for research institutes of Punjab
• Organize selection program to exchange promising clones of research institutes
• Foster collaboration and cooperation both nationally and internationally

Sugarcane Crop Protection “Round Table” by Sugarcane Research & Development Board
Dated: 26 April, 2017
Agenda Points:

• Welcome and key note by Dr. Shahid Afghan Acting CEO, SRDB
• Presentation on Contemporary crop protection by Muhammad Dawar & Mr. Sohail Nadeem from Farm Machinery & Chemicals (FMC)
• Presentation on Population dynamics and cost effective biological control of sugarcane whitefly by Dr Nazia Suleman Principal Scientist, Nuclear Institute of Agriculture and Biology NIAB
• Crop protection with Green revolution recommendations presentation by Mr. Ahmad Umair, CEO Green Revolution, Lahore
• Sugarcane diseases and their management by Mr. Walayat Ali Khan, Plant Virologist, Sugarcane Research Institute, Faisalabad
• Insect pests of sugarcane and their management by Mr. Munir Ahmad, Assistant Entomologist, Sugarcane Research Institute, Faisalabad
• Harmful impact of biotic factors on potential yield of sugarcane and their strategic management by Mr. Abdus Sattar, R & D Manager, Sayban Group
• Concluding remarks by Dr. Abid Mahmood, DG(R), AARI, Faisalabad
• Vote of thanks by Dr. Shahid Afghan
• Recommendations

Proceedings:

• A Round Table seminar entitled “Sugarcane crop protection” was organized on April 26, 2017 in Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad by Sugarcane Research and Development Board. Meeting started with the recitation of Holy Quran by Mr. Hafiz Walayat Ali Khan. Objectives of the seminar was to foresee latest research strategies, trends and to find solutions of prevailing sugarcane development complications.
• Acting Chief Executive Officer, Sugarcane research and development board welcomed all distinguished guest and addressed key note that included board’s technical support program, R & D activities, brief introduction of sugarcane in Punjab, major sugarcane producing limiting factors and role of abiotic factors hindering sugar production.
• After the key note, Mr. Khuram Iqbal requested Mr. Muhammad Dawar and Mr. Sohail Nadeem of FMC crop sciences delivered presentation on “Contemporary sugarcane plant protection technology”. Speaker started its presentation with improved features of furadan and compared it with generic chemistry. They also claimed to have developed new chemical ferterra that is tough on pest and soft on environment. Weedicides and chemicals controlling sugarcane bug, pyrilla etc were also discussed.
• Rana Maqsood Sb, GM Ramzan Sugar Mills raised the question of higher rates of FMC products, FMC representative answered that they are investing in R & D activities, furthermore product’s formulation is different and they have low residual effect that’s why their product is expensive.
• Mr. Ghulam Mustafa Wains, Ex Agronomist, Sugarcane Research Institute questioned that a weed “Deela” is not effectively controlled by FMC products, representative replied that most farmers don’t follow instructions like proper application, use of proper dose, line kera application, use at early stage and unawareness of chemical’s mode of action hinders in taking desired results.
• Dr. Nazia Suleman, Principal Scientist NIAB to presented her research work on “Population dynamics and cost effective biological control of sugarcane whitefly”. Objectives of her presentation were dynamics of white fly population on sugarcane in different ecological zones of the Punjab, Pakistan, for this reason she conducted surveys and collected whitefly bio control agents during visits of Layyah, Ramzan, Shakarganj and Indus sugar mills. She is rearing seven spotted ladybird beetle and Chrysoperla carnea as bio control agents of sugarcane whitefly.
• Dr. Khawar Jawad, Director Entomology said seven spotted ladybirds are not available in kharif season and is mostly seen in winters. Dr Nazia responded that her study was conducted in winters as seven spotted ladybirds were available at that time, she is also planning summer study to investigate insect climate tolerant stress levels.
• Dr. Hassan Munir gave example of Mauritius sugar that they launched a bio control project to eliminate the residual effect of furadan and within four years they controlled sugarcane borers and now they are not using a single pesticide and supposed this is the time to develop biological franchises initially at sugar mill level.
• Mr. Sohail Nadeem of FMC claimed that their products have very less residual effects, Dr Abid Mahmood said through trials at Sugarcane research farms and University of Agriculture, residual effects could be examined.
• Mr. Ahmad Saleem said through proper biocontrol agents/technology like introduction and augmentation biological control process could provide desired results. Mr. Khuram Shahzad of Al Moiz sugar mill commented that pesticide companies are resisting in developing biological laws. Dr. Abid Mahmood focused the increasing trends of biological control. Dr. Shahid Afghan appreciated the steps of Layyah sugar mills in developing trichogramma cards in contrasts to stagnant approach of public biocontrol labs and asks for joint ventures for public private partnership.
• Mr. Ahmad Umair of Green revolution presented “Crop protection with Green revolution recommendations”. He started with the challenges sugar industry is facing that includes Weedicides are not providing proper control (Resistance development among plants), seed treatment is not common among farmers, use of carbofuran is under check need to switch for alternate solutions, use of alkaline inputs are increasing soil pH and inhabiting soil microbial activity, multi national’s products mostly does not match Pakistan conditions and excessive use of urea reduces sugar recovery. To overcome these challenges, he showed improved chemical products of green revolution that can control pests without damaging soil health.
• Mr. Ahmad Umair said he had come here with a vision that is working for the simultaneous improvement of soil health, introduction of efficient fertilizers leading towards balanced nutrition application, introduction of potent and safe herbicides & pesticides by acting as a bridge between Internationally Renowned Farmers, Sugar mills and research bodies. He claimed that standard operating procedure (SOP) is under process between government of Punjab and Green revolution for the use of drones for survey and pesticide use. Acting CEO said business rules of SRDB is on the verge of completion and anybody with optimized research proposal are welcomed to work with us.
• Mr. Ashiq Hussain, Assistant Agronomist, Directorate of Agronomy, said he had multiple years’ research on controlling Bermuda grass in sugarcane, he supposed that common mesotrine/atrazine mixture will not control Bermuda grass whereas 2-time application of Topomezon/Atrazine in April and May is helpful in controlling Bermuda grass and field must not be irrigated before 15 days after weedicide application.
• Dr. Hassan Munir said we are not focusing sugarcane genetics, there is a need to develop genetic coding, no vision could be successful without its co-relation with genetics of that crop.
• Mr. Walayat Ali Khan, Plant Virologist, Sugarcane Research Institute, presented on “Sugarcane diseases and their management”, he discussed brief detail of every disease starting from Red Rot, Sugarcane smut, rust, Pokha boeng and Helminthosporium leaf spot. He said red rot have huge infestation in Sargodha and Mandi Bahaudin districts due to continuous uses of susceptible varieties. Question was raised that all varieties after a certain time get susceptible to red rot, answer given was that red rot pathogen develops strains over a certain period of time and a variety resistant to one strain become susceptible to other strain of that pathogen. Annual release of new varieties can minimize red rot damage. He also urged that seed treatment against seed bourne fungal diseases is not common and for the management of red rot, seed must be treated with thiophanate methyl.
• Mr. Ahmad Saleem expressed that efficient strategy must be adopted for the disease management and fertilizer requirements for such crops that do not bear true seeds like sugarcane.
• Mr. Muhammad Tayyab (progressive farmer) asked the chair to start farmer awareness campaign regarding early, mid and late maturing varieties, varietal identification, different insect pests economic threshold level (ETL) and this activity could be conducted through Sugarcane Research Institute, Sugar mill, Sugarcane Research and development board etc.
• Insect pests of sugarcane and their management was presented by Mr. Munir Ahmad, Assistant Entomologist, Sugarcane Research Institute. Key points of his address include management of borers, army worm as new emerging pest, black bug, sugarcane pyrilla etc, he focused the role biological agents in managing pests. Rana Maqsood sb, GM Ramzan Sugar Mills told about the increasing papulation of black bug, Mr. Sohail Nadeem said Talstar is effective in controlling black bug with T jet 6’inch nozzle followed by heavy irrigation.
• Mr. Abdus Sattar from Sayban group was the last presenter of the round table with title “Harmful impact of biotic factors on potential yield of sugarcane and their strategic management”.

Concluding remarks:
Dr. Abid Mahmood. He advised stakeholders to look through opportunities from public private interactions. There is a need to work hard to achieve possible advancements in biological control trends. Pesticide residual effects have been ignored in past and must be considered in future studies. Ratoon cropping is common practice in sugarcane but it lacks the necessary research it requires. Next round table must include topics of trash management, sugarcane lodging, efficient use of irrigation water etc.
Vote of thanks:
Acting CEO thanked all participants for their result oriented participation and said he learnt something from every presentation. He emphasized participants to take keen interest in implementation of findings.
Recommendations:
Recommendations formulated for the control of sugarcane weeds, insect pests and diseases are given in Table No. 1

Table No 1: Recommended active ingredients with proper dose on targeted pests and time of application

• ACCSA meeting from 15 Aug-24 Sep 2016

Farmer’s training on sugarcane cultivation on 23 Sep 2016

• Scientists round table conference was held on 27 May in Lahore

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