Shakarganj Sugar Research Institute

The Shakarganj Sugar Research

Board of Governors

weather condition to induce

Institute (SSRI) was established

Mr. Mohammad Asghar Qureshi

flowering, synchronisation of

in 1983. Shakarganj's decision to

Chairman

parents and production of viable

setup the research institute was

has been given to sugarcane

Development of new cane

SSI Research Projects

and Achievments

varieties with best management

1983-1985

practices can lead to increased

A total of 37 acres of land was

crop productivity.

available for experimental purpose.

Laboratory buildings photoperiod

successful photo induction was

given to parental lines in 1985.
Detail of original seedlings that
rose from 1984 till 2007 is given
in Fig.1

and crossing sheds were under

R&D in industrialised countries

construction and survey of coastal

has revolutionised the agriculture,

areas was done for flowering to

Publication of Pakistan
Sugar Journal (PSJ)

milling and processing of the

breed cane varieties. Cooperation

Printing of SSRI research papers

sugar world.

at the international level was

in the PSJ started in 1985 on a

started; Dr. S.A. Qureshi (late), DG

quarterly basis and has continued

A scientist of international repute,

of the institute visited USA, Brazil

on bimonthly basis from 1999. A

the late Dr Sardar Ahmad Qureshi

and Bangladesh to explore the

total of 416 research papers have so

was appointed the first director

possibilities for hybrid seeds. Fuzz

far been published in the Pakistan

general of the institute. He worked

was received from Brazil: 18 bi-

Sugar Journal, covering areas such

for 15 years with the institute till

parental and 4 poly crosses were

as agriculture milling and processing.

his death in 1998. Dr Qureshi's hard

conducted in 1983 and the first

About 150 printed copies of each

work, his passion and dedication to

original seedlings population

issue have been distributed among

research work set the stage for R&D

touched 1,250 transplantations in

various research organisations,

programmes to come to fruition.

1984. Establishment of sugarcane

universities and sugar mills in the

crossing facility under controlled

country and abroad. The Institute's

Shakarganj Mills Limited

Annual Report 2007 | 17

07
2007

2006
06

2005
05

2004
04

2003
03

progeny's first generation and a

The success of private sector

Einstein called sixth-sense the highest form

of knowing. Sometimes blocking away the
senses leads to greater understanding of
the environment and the people around us.
In business, as in life, one must shake hands
with his intuition. It certainly affects bottom
lines and impacts major corporate decisions.

2002
02

seeds. Stools planted 750 as

research organisations.

Ankh
Macholi

2001

Seeding Years

Director General

research in the government

2000
00

Dr. Shahid Afghan

1999
99

1984
84

other hand, not much emphasis

1998
98

Member

agricultural research; on the

1996
96

Mr. Malik Manzoor Hussain

involvement of industry in

1995
95

of the country demand the

1989
89

The meagre financial resources

Fig.1 Detail of original seeding raised at SSRI

91000
81000
71000
61000
51000
41000
31000
21000
11000
1000
1988
88

Member

1987
87

Mr. Mohammad Awais Qureshi

1986
86

based mainly on the following facts:

video aid. All the departments of

isolation of antagonistic fungus

Shakarganj now have access to

(Metarhizium anisopliae) for bio-

search catalogue and current status

control of sugarcane termites.

6000

2000
1000

Block plantation of 42 varieties

and SPSG-26 was multiplied on

1990-1993

Executive Committee Chairman

referees to scrutinise research

an acre of land. Testing of new

Extensive testing and seed

Dr. Brine T. Eagin was a guest

papers received from within the

varieties on 30 acres of farmland

multiplication of SPSG-26 and

speaker at the workshop. Two

country and abroad for

was done in 1989.

industrial crushing trial has given

scientists of the institute visited

publication in the PSJ. This

sugar recovery of 8.72 percent, as

South Africa and Mauritius in 1995.

process will help improve quality

compared to 5.58 percent of other

Experiment land expanded to 100

Soil and Water Analysis

commercial varieties in 1990.

acres and gradual switching over

Laboratory: Major objectives

Projects completed under supervised

new varieties of the institute was

were achieved through soil and

programme for commercial

continued. Planting technique was

water advisory service, as

cultivation of SPSG-26 on 200

developed for growing sugarcane

balanced application of nutrients

acres of land in 1992. SPSG-26

and irrigation water were done.

quality premium was given, creating

Soil and water analysis services

an interest in farmers and increased

were done free of cost. The

acreage from 500 to 5,000. SPSG-

service was beneficial for cane

114, was highly acceptable to farmers

growers to know the correct

due to its excellent ratoonability,

fertility of soils and fitness status

found susceptible to red rot was

of water for use of fertiliser and

discarded from commercial

irrigation water resources.

cultivation during the year 1993.

and will hopefully be initiated

from the first issue of 2008.
1986-1989
The promising strains were
numbered under internationally
accepted system as SP-J26 and
SP-J-394 during 1986. The
attempts to initiate the breeding
programme continued. The first
time a flower appeared was in

to check pest population is one of

the safest methods of pest
management. A lab was established
for artificial rearing of an egg parasite
Trichogramma in 1995 to control
borers' complex. Bio control of
insect pest established has shown
its worth as a sustainable, low-cost,
efficient and most importantly
environment friendly.

19,436 soil and water samples

were analysed out of 16,798

Sugarcane Pathology

acres of land from 4,248 cane

Laboratory: Established with a

growers till 2007. Mapping of

modern apparatus in 1992. Screening

on saline sodic soil in 1996. Different

soil and water quality status was

of about 4,000 promising cane

trials conducted on variety

done for cane supply zone of

varieties under different selection

comparison, fertiliser and weed

1997-1998

Shakarganj

stages against various diseases of

control and seed was supplied for

Approval of a New Cane Variety

and the experiment had to be

fungi, bacteria and phytoplasmas is

234-demonstration plot of one

Spsg-26: The Government of

abandoned in 1987. Preliminary

SSRI Library: It consists of

done in the lab. Studies on the

kanal to the small farmers.

Pakistan approved SPSG-26 for

books, manuals, proceedings,

interaction of different races of red

research journals and audio-

rot pathogen, genotypes and

Biocontrol of Insect Pest: Use of

SPSG-26 has given high yield,

environment are in progress with

naturally occurring living organisms

early maturity and resistance

the month of May. Climatic

conditions to produce flowering
was not conducive, therefore an
artificial photo chamber was
constructed. The ratoon stools
produced flowers in December,

variety yield trials were

conducted for agronomic traits.

Shakarganj Mills Limited

Annual Report 2007 | 18

commercial cultivation in 1998.

Shakarganj Mills Limited

Annual Report 2007 | 19

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

1998

1997

1996

1995

1994

1993

organised on sugarcane crop. ISSCT

proposed panel of international

Work in this regard is in progress

0
1992

An international workshop was

BOG has approved to induct a

national and international levels.

A delicious moist and

succulent sweet we all
grew up with. Naturally
sweetened freshly
grated selected quality
carrots, cooked in its
own juice, gives it a
distinctive flavor. A
warm dessert ideal
treat to satisfy any
one's taste buds to
finish a good meal.

3000

1994-1996

1991

reading material is given in Fig. 2.

5000
4000

of receipts and issuance of the stuff

can be seen. Periodic increase in the

and recognition of the PSJ at both

Fig.2 Detail of the book at SSRI libray

7000

1990

Shakarganj Sugar
Research Institute

Shakarganj Sugar Research Institute

against major diseases. The institute

Six workshops have been completed

sugarcane crop. Publication of the

was host of an engineering and

with each having about 50 scientists

Urdu book entitled 'Kamad ki

energy workshop on factory design

from fifteen institutes. 15-20

Munafa Bakhsh Kasht wa Bardash'

awarded to Pakistan in 1997 by

research papers were discussed

was allotted the International

ISSCT. 78 delegates from Australia,

and the objective was to give an

Standard Book Number (ISBN

Brazil, Canada, Germany, India,

opportunity to the scientists to

969-8705-00-7). More emphasis

Malaysia, South Africa, UK and

have a thorough discussion on

was given on sugarcane planting

USA attended the workshop.

various aspects of sugar crops.

techniques, new cane varieties

Research papers along with

integrated pest management, use

recommendations were published

of bio compost appropriate

as proceedings of the workshops in

fertigation, weed control and post

the Pakistan Sugar Journal (PSJ).

harvest care of the cane crop. So

A Manual on Production
Technology: A manual was
prepared on sugarcane production

far 5,000 copies have been

technology and refresher courses

distributed among Shakarganj's

were started for the cane

2001-2002

development staff.

Tissue Culture Laboratory:

cane growers.

Established for the rapid

1999-2000
Bio Composting: After getting
successful results by conducting
different experiments of effluents
on field crops, a large plant was set
up for the preparation of bio compost
with the help of microbes isolated
at the institute. Bio-compost is a
rich source of micronutrients,
macronutrients and organic matter,
giving significant economic benefits
to Shakarganj's cane growers. A
project with Sudzucker Germany on
isolation of thermophilic microbes

Gilli Danda

multiplication of disease free and

2003-2005

true to type seed of new varieties

Approval of a new cane variety

like NSG-311, NSG-555, CSSG-

SPSG-394: The Government of

668, CSSG-676, CPF-243 and

Pakistan approved SPSG-394 for

HoSG-529. Studies on direct

commercial cultivation in NWFP

regeneration have been initiated

in 2003. Agronomic trials to

for production of more number of

develop low cost production

plantlets at low cost. In addition,

technology were completed.

development is in progress on

Plantation of endangered five

genetically modified mutants

thorn species on separate layout.

having high cane, sugar yields,

Cut flower project included

resistant to biotic and abiotic

stresses. Production of plantlets
is given in Fig.3.

Fig.3 Year Wise Production of Plantlets

in Tissue Culture Lab
105000

Power is what makes all the difference.

The more powerful the strike, the better
the results. In business, as in life, the power
of conviction and strength of values is what
sets profits in motion.

and another with Nestle on molasses

urea based feed were completed.

95000

Publication of a Book: The

objective was to disseminate

85000
75000
65000
55000

Workshops on R&D: First

information on multifarious aspects

45000

workshop was organised in 2000.

of production technology of

25000

Shakarganj Mills Limited

35000
2002

Annual Report 2007 | 21

2003

2004

2006

2006

2007

Shakarganj Sugar
Research Institute

however, is to develop more new

production, biotechnology and

varieties that are as good as or

genetic engineering. Two scientists

better than the ones farmers are

completed their Ph.Ds and two

planting to avoid any unexpected

scientists conducted research work

epidemic.

for their M.Sc and Ph.D programmes.

Fig.4 Year-wise Production of Chrysoperla Sheets

1600
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
2004

tuberose and gladiolus. Organic

of Shakarganj. In addition,

Tissue Culture of Gerbera: Ten

Sugar Certification from SKAL

Chrysoperla is equally efficient

exotic varieties were cultured

were given to one of the scientist

International, Netherlands. Drip

for borers of sugarcane, rice, maize

having 20 colours and so far 300

at the SSRI on best research papers

tape irrigation installation

and cotton. Year-wise production

plantlets were produced for

at the national level and for

of Chrysoperla carnea sheets is

acclimatisation. High tech lab for

contributions in the development of

given in Fig.4.

enzyme-linked immuno Sorbent

sugarcane agriculture in the country.

Rainmaker Limited Australia.

Post doctorate of a scientist on

training on genetic improvement

of sugarcane from Coimbatore

Pateesa is also known

as Sohan Papdi and is
made from flour, milk
and cardamoms. It is
available in lachay
daar as well as the
block form and
enjoyed all over the
country with relish.

India in 2005.

2005

2006

Assay (ELISA) for screening of

DNA fingerprinting in molecular

biology and other completed

Gold Medals: Three gold medals

cane varieties against mosaic virus

2006-2007

and nematology lab to develop

Approval of New Cane

biopesticides of entomopathogenic

Varieties: Two new cane

nematodes were established.

varieties of the institute NSG311 as an excellent ratooner,

Botanical Gardens: Botanical

early maturing and NSG-555 as

Research Publications: So far, 75

gardens were established with an

excellent yielder, very early

research papers have been published

overhead irrigation system. This

maturing self-trashing and suitable

on agronomy, entomology,

is the first garden of its kind in

for mechanised harvesting were

pathology, breeding and cane

the sugar industry in Pakistan.

approved for commercial

development in research journals

Objective of the project was to

cultivation by the Government

of national and international repute.

conserve the cultural and

of Pakistan. Vertical increase in

scientific heritage. Flora of 381

acreage of NSG-311 and NSG-

Participation in Technical

species consists of trees, shrubs,

555 was recorded. Survey for the

Conferences: During the last

herbs, climbers, cactus and

varieties acreage conducted has

five years, SSRI scientists have

gymnosperms.

shown that NSG-311 and NSG-

participated in 30 national and

555 was cultivated on 6,000

international conferences, seminars,

acres in cane supply zones of

symposiums and workshops.

Biological Control of Pyrilla:

The main objective was to start
artificial rearing of Green
Lacewing (Chrysoperla carnea)
and to control infestation of
Pyrilla perpusilla in cane fields

Shakarganj Mills Limited

BOTANICAL GARDEN: A View of Herb Garden, first of its nature in sugar industry. Different species
of herbs, which are antiseptic, antibiotic, anti reparative are grown. The objective of this project was to
conserve Flora of 381species.

Shakarganj during 2007 New

cane varieties of CSSG, CPSG,
HoSG and NSG series having

International Training of

high yield were included in the

Scientists: Most of the scientists

National Uniform Varietal Yield

have been trained at the international

Trial. Shakarganj's challenge,

level on multifarious aspects of crop

Annual Report 2007 | 22

Shakarganj Mills Limited

Annual Report 2007 | 23

2007