Tissue Culture (Biotechnology)

Tissue Culture section established in 1984 under Department of Agriculture Science and Technology in Crop Improvement and Crop Production Divisions is engaged in large scale production of true to type and disease free sugarcane plantlets using apical meristem culture technique. This micropropagation technique allows faster multiplication of a sugarcane variety using smaller space. The Section is also engaged in development of elite sugarcane varieties using callus culture technique. Using this technique, section developed early maturing, high sugared and drought tolerant variety of sugarcane (VSI 434). In addition to this section has engaged in collaborative project with Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC), Mumbai for develop and testing of biostimulator.

Following are the objectives:
1. Development of elite varieties of sugarcane.
2. Development of cost effective micropropagation protocol for mass multiplication of sugarcane varieties
3. Development of Vasant Urja as Biostimulator for improvement in yield and quality of sugarcane and other crops