Muhammad Shahzad Afzal’s scientific contributions

In the current study, fifteen (15) sugarcane clones developed from Sri Lanka and Barbados fuzz were evaluated for quantitative and qualitative traits in local set of climatic conditions. After testing and advancement from early stages of sugarcane cultivar development program, these clones were planted in 4th stage i.e. preliminary yield trial to evaluate the performance of clones in comparison to two local check varieties viz. CPF 253 and HSF 240. The testing sugarcane clones along with check varieties were planted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) deploying three replications during the crop season 2022-23. Biometric parameters like germination (%), plant population, plant height, 10-cane weight, cane weight and cane yield alongwith sugar recovery were studied. The biometric traits were compared using two-sided Dunnett's multiple to check the level of significance. The results showed high level of significance for all the biometric traits. The clone BDF-20-174 showed superior performance for plant population, cane yield and sugar recovery as compared to local check varieties. Similarly some other clones surpass the check varieties in some traits but their overall performance remained at par or lower than check varieties. However, further testing and experimentation will be applied to pick more adapted and suitable clones for local agro-ecological conditions

The substantial growth of sugar industry and the need to ensure national food security entail the extension of crushing season for sugar mills in Punjab by introducing medium and late maturing sugarcane varieties. The variety CPF 249 is a cross of CP 87-1628 × CP 84-1198, developed from fuzz imported in 2002 from the Sugarcane Station, Canal Point, USA, and subsequently grown as clone no. S2003 US-704 at the Sugarcane Research Institute, Faisalabad. Following successful initial selection, CPF 249 underwent four years of testing in preliminary, semifinal , and final varietal trials from 2008 to 2012. This medium-maturing variety demonstrates high tonnage and superior sugar recovery compared to other medium-maturing varieties such as CPF 247, SPF 245, and HSF 240. Furthermore, CPF 249 exhibits resistance diseases and insect pests, positioning it as an excellent alternative to SPF 245, SPF 234, and HSF 240 throughout Punjab. Economically, it offers a significant advantage, yielding an additional profit of Rs. 223,000 over SPF 245, Rs. 138,000 over HSF 240, and Rs. 54,000 per hectare compared to other local checks.

Delayed planting of sugarcane crop after harvesting of seed is a common farming practice in all cane growing areas of Pakistan. This study was conducted to find out comparative effect of sugarcane seed having different harvesting or stalling period on productivity of sugarcane. The experiment was planted in randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement for two consecutive years. Three commercial sugarcane varieties viz. CPF 248, CPF 247 and CPF 246 were kept in main plots whereas cane setts staling; fresh, 3 days, 6 days & 9 days old stale cane setts were placed in sub-plots. The data revealed that sugarcane clones were differed significantly for most of biometric traits under study except cane yield whereas impact of cane setts stalling was also significant excluding for sugar contents. While, interactive effect of all treatment combinations for sugarcane clones and cane setts stalling was found significant except for CCS%. It was found that clone CPF 247 exhibited highest cane and sugar yield by planting fresh cane setts as against lowest for CPF 248 when planted with 9 days old stale cane setts during both years of experimentation. Better growth and yield related traits were predominantly attributed to planting of fresh cane seed having better germination, tillering and cane density.

Background: A form of multiple cropping, Intercropping, in which two or more crops are grown together in proximity and produces higher productivity per unit area. It ensures resource use effeciency of land, labor and inputs resources available at Farm. Here focus will be given that crop duration and peak growth period of intercrop and main crop did not overlapped and coincide. Planting geomety of intercrops adjusted in such a way that will minimizes the shade effect on main crop Methodology: A research experiment was conducted at Sugarcane Research Institute (SRI), Faisalabad. In this experiment, various types of planting geometry was studied to find out optimium planting lay out of canola best fitted in tradional (2.5 ft.) and recommeded (4.0 ft.) sowing techniques of sugarcane The Randomized Complete Block Design was applied in experiment and replicated thrice. Results: The data of the research experiment revealed that the highest cane count (110 thousand/ha), cane yield (103.30 t/ha) and sugar yield (12.96 t/ha) was obtained in T6-sugarcane apart 4ft rows +2 line of canola. highest sugarcane income of Rs. 464850/-was found in T6-Sugarcane apart 4ft rows +2 lines of canola which is followed by T7 having sugarcane income of Rs. 431100/-and T4-Sugarcane apart 4ft rows +broad cast of canola with income of Rs. 373500/-. The lowest income of Rs. 222750/-was obtained in T1-Sugarcane apart 2.5ft rows +broad cast of canola. Conclusion: Two lines of canola intercropped in four feet apart dual row sown sugarcane (recommeded planting practice) will be more feasible, ease to do, economical and profitable than traditional planting geometry and is more sustainable way in profitable agriculture.

Current study was conducted at Sugarcane Research Institute, Faisalabad during 2019-20. Preliminary Yield Trials is an important stage of varietal development program comprising on 4 th year of study. Current study was conducted to evaluate the performance of twenty six clones in comparison to two check varieties deploying randomized complete block design (RCBD) using three replications. All these clones were developed from fuzz imported from Srilanka as natural conditions are not conducive for flowering and hybridization of sugarcane in country. The data was subjected to principle component analysis based on five parameter (tillers per plant, no. of canes per hectare, yield (t/ha), sugar recovery (%) and single cane weight) and analysis of variance. The characters tillers per plant, no. of canes per hectare and single cane weight had positive association with yield per hectare. These character should be focused during selection process. The data was interpreted based on 66 percent information contained in PC-2. The linkage cluster analysis placed the clones into six major groups which were genetically different. The variation in cluster can be utilized in breeding program for further improvement. Based on superior performance, nine clones were selected and promoted to next selection stage named semifinal varietal trial for further evaluation. A clone S-2016-SL-284 outclassed all the clones in term of performance of all parameters under study which will be bright future hope to be recommended a variety for commercial release in coming years. The clone was from the fuzz of local parents exchanged with Srilanka, so local germplasm should be given key importance while choosing the parents for crossing purpose in breeding program of sugarcane. Local hybridization program may serve the purpose of desired parents having suitability in adaptation in local climatic conditions.

To cite this paper: Khan HMWA, Mahmood-Ul-Hassan, MA Mudassir, MS Afzal, M Yasin, MF Ahmad, M Munir (2021). Resistance to red rot disease (Colletotrichum falcatum) varies among different germplasm sources of sugarcane. Intl J Agric Biol 25:381-387 Abstract Resistance of sugarcane varieties to red rot disease is essential for their successful commercial cultivation in Pakistan. Evaluation of sugarcane germplasm for red rot resistance is a basic component of the varietal development system in Punjab. The studies on varietal screening against red rot disease of exotic sugarcane germplasm were conducted at the research. The screening test was carried out at different varietal development stages including sugarcane nursery-2, nursery-3, semifinal varietal trial, final varietal trial and National Uniform Yield Trial by using plug method of inoculation. In three years, 724 sugarcane genotypes were examined in screening test against red rot disease, which were developed from germplasm (fuzz), imported from different sugarcane breeding organizations of the world. Fuzz is a true seed of sugarcane used to develop new sugarcane variety(ies) through repeated selection in any varietal development program. The results of three years experimentation revealed that 425 genotypes were resistant, 141 moderately resistant, 48 moderately susceptible and 110 susceptible to red rot disease. It was also concluded that sugarcane germplasm belongs to the USA, proved to be superior for resistance to red rot disease with 91% genotypes followed by Brazil and Australia with 86 and 68% genotypes, respectively, which were classified in resistant and moderately resistant category.

The experiment in hand was planned at the research area, Sugarcane Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan during spring season 2017-18 with the objective to find out the most effective combination of weed control in sugarcane by using integrated weed management (IWM) method. The trial was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design and replicated thrice. According to the results, the treatment T 6 (Manual weeding 30 DAP (days after planting) + one mechanical weeding 60 DAP + earthing up 90-100 DAP) have lowest number of weeds (17.30 m-2) which shows 91.10% weed mortality with higher cane yield (103.22 t/ha) followed by T 3 (Scope 80 W.P @ 1 kg /acre pre-emergence + Sunstar @ 20 g /acre post-emergence + one mechanical weeding 60 days after planting + earthing up 90-100 DAP) which gave cane yield of 102.78 t/ha. However, minimum cane yield (66.05 t/ha) was recorded from T 7 (control).

Quality of genotype has pivotal role in determining the cane and sugar yield of sugarcane. The inherent yield potential of a genotype is of prime importance for sustaining higher production. The study was conducted at Sugarcane Research Institute, Faisalabad to evaluate the performance of 12 promising sugarcane clones against check variety HSF-240 for the growing season 2017-18. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Results revealed a significant difference among the clones for agronomic attributes. S2006-US-658 superseded all the other clones including the check variety in terms of cane yield (140.23 t ha-1). The sugar recovery was found maximum in S2003-US-633 (11.82%) while check variety exhibited sugar recovery of 11.33% under the agro-ecological conditions of Faisalabad.

Evaluation of new sugarcane genotypes for biometric traits, resistance to red rot and borers complex under agro-climatic conditions of Faisalabad, Pakistan. Intl J Agric Biol 23:623-629 Abstract Adaptability of new candidate sugarcane genotypes is challenging in different sugarcane growing regions of Pakistan due to diverse edaphic and climatic conditions. Climate change is hampering productivity of commercial varieties due to elevated attack of sugarcane diseases, red rot in particular and insect pests intensity. This two-year study was conducted to evaluate the performance of five promising sugarcane genotypes against check variety CPF 247 for biometric evaluation and resistance to red rot and borers complex for two consecutive growing seasons (2014-2015 and 2015-2016). Results indicated a significant varietal difference among the clones for adaptability and genotypic response in semi-arid conditions of Faisalabad. The genotype, S2006 SP-93, exhibited higher sprouting, stalk diameter, stalk length, cane yield and sugar yield than all others including check variety. Among all six clones, only genotype S2006 SP-93 showed moderately resistant reaction whereas rest of clones were remained susceptible to red rot disease during both years. Genotypic response for resistance against borers complex was not consistent for both years of study. All clones were found resistant or moderately resistant except Thatta-910 and CSSG-32, which were moderately susceptible for 1 st and 2 nd year, respectively. In conclusion, new sugarcane genotype S2006 SP-93 found superior owing to good agronomic and qualitative performance, better resistance to red rot and borers complex than other clones tested under the agro-ecological conditions of Faisalabad.