Screening of Sugarcane Genotypes for Quality Jaggery Production and Healthy Life

Abstract

The present study has been carried out with different sugarcane genotypes developed by Sugarcane Research Institute, Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa Bihar. Thefield and laboratory experiment were conducted for three consecutive years from 2010–11 to 2012–13 at Sugarcane Research Farm, Pusa. The sugarcane varieties viz, CoP 9301, CoP 9206, BO 139, BO 141, BO 146, BO 147, BO 153 &CoP 2061including check BO 110 (C), weregrown. The mature canes weretaken for jaggery preparation by method developed by Sugarcane Research Institute, Pusa and performance of genotypes weretested. The fresh cane juice was extracted, filtered and heated in three-pan modern oven system. The juice was clarified using plant extract to avoid any chemical contamination in jaggery. Root and stem of okra (Lycopersicumesculentum L.) was used as juice clarificants@ 200 gm crushed material for100 litres of juice. The recovery of jaggery was separately recorded for plant and ratoon at two crushing periods. The Jaggery was rich source of minerals &vitamins. It contains about 0.40 g protein, 0.10 g fat, 80.20 mg Ca, 40.20 mg phosphorus, 11.4 mg Fe, 0.6gm total minerals, 168 mg Carotine, 0.02 mg thymine, 0.05 mg riboflavin, 0.5 mg-vitamin C&383.0 Kcal energy is 100 g jaggery. Thejaggery become more nutritionally rich especially when it is made using plant (natural) purifier. The sugar was only source of energy (sucrose 99.5%) with lack of vitamins & minerals. During early crushing season genotype CoP 9301 showed maximum jaggeryrecovery (10.5%) followed by BO 153 (10.4) and lowest in BO 141(8.2%). The varieties viz BO 141, BO 146 & BO 147 produced lower jaggery as compared to check (BO 110). However, BO 147 was suitable for moderate jaggeryproduction during late crushing season (after mid-January).During late crushing season genotype CoP 2061recorded highest jaggery recovery (10.2%) and lowest (8.7%) in BO 139 and BO 153. The recovery of jaggery was related to crushing season. In terms of total production, recently released genotypes CoP 2061 recorded highest cane yield (92.8 t/ha) followed by BO153 (90.2 t/ha). The lowest cane yield was recorded in check BO110 (72.5 t/ha). On the basis of above findings, it may be recommended that CoP 9301 is a prominent genotype with high sugar and jaggery recovery. Under Bihar condition CoP9301 followed by BO 153 genotypes may be used for profitable jaggery production during early crushing season and CoP 2061 and BO 147 for jaggery production during late crushing season using SRI, technique for nutritionally rich jaggery for healthy human life.