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The Secret of Sugarcane Hybridization: How Vikadaman cultivates high-yield sugarcane varieties?
In 20th century India, a botanist, agronomist and pioneer of plant genetics, Vikadaman's name occupies the history of sugar cane agriculture.His research and breeding methods not only transformed India's sugar industry, but also affected agricultural production in many countries around the world.How did he cultivate high-yield sugarcane varieties through hybridization, thus making India the world's second largest sweetener producer?
Early life and career
Vikadaman was born in Salem, Tamil Nadu, in southern India in 1884 and grew up in a traditional Tamil Brahmin family.His belief in religion changed during his teenage years and eventually gave up on religion.He performed well during his studies in Trichulabao, and then was admitted to Madras General College, specializing in botany.In 1905, he graduated with a first-class honors degree and continued his master's degree from the University of Madras.After his studies, he was appointed as an assistant at Sadapet Agricultural College and began his graduate career.
Research and development of sugar cane varieties of Koimu please
In the early 20th century, the production of sugar cane varieties in India was extremely low, forcing the government to import sugar from Dutch East India, which put a heavy economic burden.To solve this problem, the British government decided to ask for a special sugar cane breeding institute in Coim.Vikadaman worked with his mentor Barber to plan a series of research projects dedicated to improving sugar cane varieties and increasing yields.
Their observations of wild sugar cane (Saccharum spontaneum) inspired their research.
During this period, Vikadaman successfully mated a variety of sugarcane varieties and gradually mastered the techniques of cultivating sugarcane in different environments.In 1918, the production of the Co. 205 varieties they launched was 50% higher than that of the local traditional varieties, successfully replacing them in just a few years.
Breakthrough in sugarcane hybridization
As the research deepened, Vikadaman began to explore more complex hybridization techniques and developed three and four sugarcane varieties that mated with the parent.These high-yield sugar cane varieties have almost 35 times the sugar content of their parents and are very resistant to flooding, drought and diseases.His work not only transformed India's sugar industry from import-dependent to self-sufficiency, but also promoted the sugar cane industry in other countries.
Through continuous research and experiments, Vikadaman has created new prospects for sugarcane production around the world.
Global Impact and Legacy
The sugar cane varieties developed by Vikadaman are not only successful in India, but also have achieved outstanding results in sugar cane cultivation in the United States, South Africa, Australia, Pakistan and other places.By the 1960s, the sugar cane varieties he developed supported the sugar industry in 22 countries.
In addition, Vikadaman's contribution to hybridization and gene research has opened a new chapter in plant science.His work successfully developed hybrid varieties of sugar cane and sorghum in 1930, and although it was ultimately unsuccessful in commercialization, it inspired many scientists in subsequent research.
The wider hybridization research he foresaw has now become an important foundation for plant science.
Later-years and honors
Vikadaman officially retired in 1942, and his name was later widely praised.From mysterious sugar cane varieties to their position in the scientific community, his work has had a lasting impact on agricultural production in India and even around the world.In his later years, he continued to be active as a writer and expressed his opinions on social issues.The achievements he died in 1963 were left to future generations.
Vikadaman’s scientific research spirit and contribution to agriculture make us think about what will be the future research direction and challenges?
