Crop Improvement Division

“Increase productivity and profitability of the sugar industry through incorporation of better sugarcane varieties for commercial cultivation”

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Priority Areas
Varieties
Research Activities
Publications
Staff

The Crop Improvement Division (CI) focuses on conventional breeding for the development of sugarcane varieties with the following characteristics, suitable for commercial cultivation in different Agro-ecological regions of Sri Lanka.

  • High sugarcane yield
  • High sugar yield
  • Pest and disease resistant 

The projects, tissue culture of sugarcane varieties, and biotechnology research assist the non-conventional sugarcane breeding in the creation of genetic variability through the exploitation of somaclonal variation and classification & identification of genetic variability in the development of new sugarcane varieties.

Our Achievements

Number of Varieties Released (up to 2025)
0

Variety extend of Sugarcane in Sri Lanka (2022)

Divisional Priority Areas...

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Germplasm Collection

Collection, conservation, evaluation, and utilization of Saccharum germplasm for the development of new, improved sugarcane varieties with better commercial attributes, such as high cane yield, high sucrose content, resistance to pests and diseases, adaptability to adverse environmental conditions, and desirable morphological characteristics

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Hybridisation of sugarcane

Hybridisation of sugarcane to develop varieties with high yields (cane yield and sugar yield), resistance to major sugarcane diseases, good ratooning ability, early, mid, & late maturity, and tolerance to drought for rain-fed and irrigated cultivation in different sugarcane growing areas of Sri Lanka

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Selection of sugarcane clones

Selection of sugarcane clones with commercial attributes, identification of proven parents and effective crossing combinations, selection of true hybrids from inter-specific, inter-generic, and backcrosses in the noblization of wild species, and generation of high-sucrose parental stocks through recurrent selection

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Studying molecular biology

Studying molecular biology of sugarcane varieties to identify genetic relatedness and distinctness among commercial and locally-collected sugarcane varieties (DUS ((Distinctness, Uniformity, and Stability) testing), confirm the identity of varieties and avoid mixing of varieties, identify true hybrids, Identify the existing markers for high-yielding varieties and disease resistance, and to adopt marker-assisted selection (MAS) in the existing breeding program

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Division-CI-01

Tissue culture

Tissue culture of sugarcane to develop new sub-clones resistant to WLD/GSD and smut diseases from disease-susceptible, high-yielding varieties, to produce disease-free planting materials from newly released varieties for rapid multiplication through in-vitro culture and lateral shoot multiplication under poly tunnel conditions, and to produce in-vitro cultured materials for varietal export.

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Sugarcane varieties recommended for commercial cultivation in Sri Lanka

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SL 03 336

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SL 04 624

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SL 00 652

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SL 00 603

Slide6

SL 00 354

Slide5

SL 00 95

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SL 98 2524

Slide21

SL 96 128

Slide10

SL 96 328

Slide1

SL 95 4443

Slide12

SL 95 4430

Slide13

SL 95 4033

Slide14

SL 95 5588

Slide15

SL 92 4997

Slide16

SL 92 4918

Slide2

SL 90 6237

Slide17

SL 89 1673

Slide11

SLT 88 238

Slide18

SL 88 116

Slide19

SL 86 13

Slide20

SL 83 06

Slide22

SL 71 03

Slide21

SL 71 30

Slide21

CO 775

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SLI 121 (F 148)

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Ongoing Research Activities..

CI/23/01: Collection, conservation, evaluation and utilization of Saccharum germplasm

The genetic diversity of the sugarcane germplasm collection is enriched for the development of new improved sugarcane varieties with better commercial attributes, such as high cane yield, high sucrose content, resistance to pest and diseases, adaptability to adverse environmental conditions and good morphological characteristics. 
The genetic diversity of sugarcane germplasm is required to be conserved ex-situ for further use, especially in crop improvement.  The Sugarcane Research Institute conserves the Saccharum germplasm collection at the Sugarcane Breeding Station, Enselwatte, Deniyaya, Sri Lanka.  
It is comprised with 1,659 accessions assembled through foreign and local sources such as commercial and near-commercial sugarcane varieties, progenies of inter- and intra- specific crosses and locally collected accessions through local expedition.  
Among the basic Sacchurum species; accessions from S. officinarum, S. spontaneum, the related wild genera; Erianthus spp. accessions and an accession of Miscanthus japonica are maintained. 
Objectives and targets
  • Improvement of genetic diversity of the Saccharum germplasm collection by adding new accessions and conservation of existing sugarcane genetic diversity.
  • Assessment of parental worth in Saccharum germplasm for cane and sugar yields and their components.
    Development of core-collections for directional breeding for high yield, high sucrose content.
  • Evaluation of imported varieties in different sugarcane growing areas in Sri Lanka.
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CI/23/02: Development and selection of new sugarcane varieties

This research project is conducted to increase the productivity by developing and recommending new sugarcane varieties and minimizing the risk of sugarcane crop losses due to biotic and abiotic stress through increasing varietal spectrum in commercial plantations in different sugarcane growing areas.
Parental selection, sugarcane hybridization, and variety selection for good commercial attributes are the major steps in variety development program.
To make sure the superiority of varieties commercially, the clones are selected based on high cane yield, high sucrose content, moderate fibre content, maturity times, ratooning ability, tolerance to drought, wide and specific adaptability, good morphology and milling qualities using selection indices with multiple trait selection criteria in different stages of clonal selection and finally will be tested for wide adaptability for different agro ecological zones.
Objectives
  • Development of high yielding, early-, mid- and late maturing sugarcane varieties for different sugarcane-growing conditions in Sri Lanka with the characteristics of good ratooning ability, resistant to pest and diseases (WLD, smut and leaf scald), drought tolerance, and suitable for mechanization.
  • Generating high-sucrose genetic stocks to be used as parental clones.
  • Improvement of basic Saccharum officinarum population in breeding attributes and commercial attributes along the selection stages for commercial adoption.
Following steps are involving in sugarcane variety development program.

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CI/23/03: Biotechnological applications for sugarcane variety improvement

Biotechnological interventions hold great promise to address to enhance productivity of sugarcane to improve sugarcane varieties with disease resistance and to improve quality of the crop. These approaches for sugarcane improvement have been applied in Sugarcane Research Institute, Sri Lanka in the areas of tissue culture, molecular diagnostics of sugarcane pathogens, development of genetic maps using molecular markers, molecular testing of plants for variety identification and molecular characterization of various traits.
Objectives
  • Produce disease-free planting materials from newly-released varieties for primary nurseries and produce in-vitro-cultured materials for varietal exportation
  • Induce genetic variability of selected sugarcane varieties through callus culture technique with artificial mutagens and evaluation of superior genotypes from mutant plant population
  • Evaluation and characterization of sugarcane germplasm accessions using molecular markers to broaden the genetic diversity through directional breeding
  • Minimize the time and resources required for maturity testing by adopting the molecular method for testing maturity.
  • Identification of QTLs for high sugar content in sugarcane and smut disease resistance.
  • Development of marker-assisted selection protocols for high sugar and smut disease resistance
Evaluation of genetic variability of sugarcane varieties through in-vitro mutagenesis in callus culture technique
 

Gene expression studies related to the sugar content and maturity of varieties ​

Detection of QTL for sugar content and Smut resistance

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CI/23/03: Development and selection of sugarcane varieties for organic farming

This project is initiated to evaluate commercial sugarcane varieties under organic fertilizer and identify suitable sugarcane varieties for organic farming and develop new sugarcane varieties for organic farming system.
Objective
  • Selection of suitable sugarcane varieties for organic farming
Read more about CI/23/04 project Read less

Publications

Peer-Reviewed / SCI Journals
  1. Kong, C.Y., Wickramasinghe, K.P., Xu, C.H., Mao, J., Liu, H.B., Kumar, T., Lin, X.Q., Li, X.J., Tian, C.Y., Zhao, P.F. and Lu, X., 2025. Recent Advances in Sugarcane Leaf Scald Disease: Pathogenic Insights and Sustainable Management Approaches. Plants, 14(4), p.508. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14040508
  2. Perera, A.M.M.S., Attanayaka, D.P.S.T.G. and Wijesuriya, A. (2024). Assessment of genetic diversity in the Saccharum germplasm of Sri Lanka. Pakistan Sugar Journal. 39 (1): 05-16.
  3. Wickramasinghe, K.P., Mao, J., Xu, Ch. et al.Comparative Analysis of Seven Endogenous Hormones in a Novel Dual-axillary Bud Mutant Genotype of Sugarcane. Sugar Tech 26, 1590–1600 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12355-024-01430-z
  4. Wickramasinghe, K.P., Kong, C.Y., Lin, X.Q., Zhao, P.F., Mehdi, F., Li, X.J., Liu, X.L., Mao, J. and Lu, X., 2024. Photoperiodic and lighting treatments for flowering control and its genetic regulation in sugarcane breeding. Heliyon, Volume10 (7), https://doi.org/10.1016/j. heliyon.2024.e28531
  5. Mehdi, F., Galani, S., Wickramasinghe, K.P., Zhao, P., Lu, X., Lin, X., Xu, C., Liu, H., Li, X. and Liu, X., 2024. Current perspectives on the regulatory mechanisms of sucrose accumulation in sugarcane. Heliyon. Volume 10 (5), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27277
  6. Maralanda, S.M.T.A., Ariyawansha, B.D.S.K., sewwandi, M.G.G.N., Wickramasinghe, K.P., Wijesuriya, A. (2024). Evaluation of Some Promising Sugarcane Varieties for Quality Jaggery Production, Agrica, 13/271-274. http://doi.org/10.5958/2394-448x.2024.00035.5
  7. Perera, A.M.M.S., Wijesuriya, A., Sumedha Thushari, A.N.W., Attanayaka, D.P.S.T.G. and Wijesuriya, N.D. (2023). Evaluation and Characterization of Saccharum Germplasm for Sugarcane Breeding in Sri Lanka. Tropical Agricultural Research (2023). 34(1): 52-64.
  8. Wickramasinghe, K.P., Wijesuriya, A., Ariyawansha, B.D.S.K., Perera, A.M.M.S., Chanchala, K.M.G., Manel, D. and Chandana, R.A.M., 2019. Performance of Sugarcane Varieties in a White Leaf Disease (WLD)—Prone Environment at Pelwatte[online]
  9. Rathnayaka, R.M.B.S., Wijesuriya, A., Perera, A.M.M.S. and Alwis, L.M.H.R. (2013). Optimal Phyto-hormone Levels for Meristem Culture of Sugarcane (Saccharum hybrid spp.): Variety SL 96 328. Journal of the National Institute of Plantation Management, (2013), 27(02): 44-51.
  1. Gamage, G. N. H., Perera A. M. M. S., Widana Gamage, S. M. K..  Assessment of genetic diversity of sugarcane germplasm in Sri Lanka using SSRs. 8th International Research Conference, Uwa Wellassa University – 2024 (IRCUWU-2024), Uwa Wellassa University, Badulla. 2024, pp. 401.
  2. Gamage, D. G. P. D.,  Gunasena, M. D. K. M.,  Perera, A. M. M. S., Thushari, A. N. W. S. and Perera, J. K. U. D.,. Evaluation of Mutation Variability and Disease Resistance in Sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid) Populations Developed through Callus Culture. 5th International Conference of Agricultural Sciences (AgInsight 2024), Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. 2024, pp. 08.
  3. Chaturya, P. J., Perera A. M. M. S., Gunasena, M. D. K. M. and Dayasena, Y. A. P. K., Identification of true-hybrids of the Saccharum officinarum and Erianthus arundinaceus progenies by molecular markers. Undergraduate Research Symposium of Technology & Applied Sciences (APSURS). Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. 2024, pp. 17.
  4. Sumedha Thushari, A. N. W., Wijesuriya, A., Perera, A. M. M. S. and Wijesuriya B. W. Identification of parents for breeding sugarcane leaf scald disease resistance from Saccharum germplasm, 24th Australasian Plant Pathology Society Conference 2023.
  5. Perera A. M. M. S., Attanayaka D. P. S. T. G. and Wijesuriya A., Characterization of Exotic Parental Varieties of Sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid) by SSR Markers. Wayamba University Research Congress – 2022, Kuliyapitiya, Sri Lanka, 2022: 25-26.
  6. Perera, A.M.M.S., Wijesuriya, A., Thushari, A.N.W.S., Attanayaka, D.P.S.T.G. and Wijesuriya, N.D., Evaluation and Characterization of Saccharum Germplasm for Sugarcane Breeding in Sri Lanka. 34th Annual Congress of the Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. 2022: pp. 9.
  7. Perera, A.M.M.S. (2022). Sugarcane is a rich germplasm: why not exploit it properly in producing improved cultivars? Hanthana Essence, PGIA congress in brief, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2022: 11.
  8. Perera, A.M.M.S., Wijesuriya, A., Sumedha Thushari, A.N.W. and Wijesuriya, B.W.,  Unveiling Indigenous Pure Saccharum officinarum Cultivars for Manufacturing Organic Raw Cane Sugars. First National Research Symposium, Colombo, Sri Lanka. 2022: 55-58.
  9. Perera, A.M.M.S., Attanayaka, D.P.S.T.G., Wijesuriya, A., Genetic Diversity within Saccharum officinarum Accessions Collected in Sri Lanka. Wayamba University Research Congress – 2021, Kuliyapitiya. Sri Lanka. 2021: 23-24.
  10. Balagalla, D.N., Wijesuriya, A., Ranathunge, N.P. and Perera, A.M.M.S., A Protocol for In-vitro Direct Plant Regeneration from Leaf Tissue for Micropropagation of Sugarcane. Twenty Ninth Annual Congress of the PGIA. Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. 2017: 7.
  1. Chaturanga, A., Perera A.M.M.S., Wickramasinghe, K. P., and Maralanda, A., Puwath Hasuna, Sugarcane Research Institute, Uda Walawe, Sri Lanka, August 2024: pp. 8.
  2. Ariyawansha, B.D.S.K., Perera A.M.M.S., Chaturanga, A. and Sewwandi, N., “Puwath Hasuna”, Sugarcane Research Institute, Uda Walawe, Sri Lanka, August 2022: 4-5.
  3. Perera, A.M.M.S., Wijesuriya, A., Sumedha Thushari, A.N.W. and Wijesuriya, B.W., (2020). Sugarcane Germplasm Catalogue e-version. Sugarcane Research Institute, Uda walawe, Sri Lanka.
  4. Kodituwakku, K.A.D., Perera A.M.M.S., Abeyrathne, K.H.D., Economic Assessment of Production of Sugarcane Seed Cane using Meristem-cultured Plants. Sugarcane Research Institute, Uda Walawe, Sri Lanka. 2017.
  5. “Uk waga kereema” (2016). Sugarcane Research Institute, Uda Walawe. 1-3.

Our Staff..

Dr. (Mrs.) Malika Perera

Senior Research Officer

Ph.D, Wayamba University, Sri Lanka
M.Sc, University of Colombo

M.Sc, University of Colombo

Research Interest:

  • Molecular biology
  • Sugarcane breeding
Mr. K. P. Wickramasinghe

Research Officer

M.Phil, University of Ruhuna

B.Sc, University of Ruhuna

Research Interest:

  • Genetics
  • Plant breeding
Mr. K. P. Wickramasinghe

Research Officer

B.Sc, University of Peradeniya

Research Interest:

  • Conventional breeding
  • Tissue culture
  • maskelum@sugarres.lk
  • maskelum94@gmail.com
  • ResearchGate
  • ORCiD
  • Google Scholar
Ms. P. P. G. S. P. Bandara

Research Officer

M.Sc, University of Peradeniya

B.Sc, University of Peradeniya

Research Interest:

  • –
  • –
  • sachika@sugarres.lk
  • sachikapriyaa@gmail.com
  • ResearchGate
  • ORCiD
  • Google Scholar
Mr. D. Weerasinghe

Senior Technical Officer

Job Role: Assisting research staff for research

Mr. M.K.D. Ubesena

Technical Officer

Job Role: Assisting research staff for research

Ms. K. P. Harshani

Technical Officer

HND (Agri)

Job Role: Assisting research staff for research