Question

Sugarcane breeding research institute (SBRI) is situated at
A. Lucknow
B. Coimbatore
C. New Delhi
D. Shimla

Answer 1

Hint: Sugarcane is a plant that grows in warm climates, subtropical or tropical climates. It belongs to the Poaceae family (grass family). It’s an economically viable plant that is also a major source of sugar. Its products such as molasses and by-products such as bagasse are used in various industries, even to feed the livestock or in the production of biofuel.

Complete answer:
Sugarcane breeding institute came into being in the year 1912, in Coimbatore, under the British colonial rule. Dr. C .A. Barber was the founder of this institute. Today it comes under the Indian Council of Agricultural research. The institute has built three new research centers one in Haryana and two in Kerala.
The sugarcane breeding program strives to produce better and more viable varieties of the plant. Most of the sugarcane plant varieties found in India is due to the initiative taken by this very institute. The institute follows the methods of conventional breeding as well as interventions of modern technology such as genetic analyzer and soil moisture indicator etc., to create hybrids.
In 1912, researchers at SBRI were successfully able to create the first hybrid of the plant using Saccharum officinarum and wild type S. spontaneum. Soon after, in 1918 they introduced the hybrids called Co canes. The Co cane varieties were also exported to other countries. Thereafter, the institute is putting resources to produce improved, disease-resistant types.
SBRI is situated at Coimbatore, so the correct answer is option (B).

Note:
Sugarcane industry in India is one of the largest industries, at present. However, there are quite a few drawbacks to the industry, such as high production cost, low yield of sugarcane, lack of employment during off-seasons, etc. The government with its policies and the research institutes with its improved cost-effective varieties of sugarcane can help abate these problems.