Unlocking Commercial Potential: CPF 249, a Medium-Maturing Sugarcane Variety for Punjab

Abstract

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, was developed from fuzz imported in 2002 from the Sugarcane Station in Canal Point, USA, and subsequently grown at the Sugarcane Research Institute, Faisalabad. Following successful initial selection, CPF 249 underwent four years of testing in preliminary, semi-final, 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.