Lucknow, Apr 24 (UNI) Two high yielding and high quality sugarcane varieties, developed by Uttar Pradesh Council of Sugarcane Research (UPCSR) have been released for cultivation in five states of the country.

The two varieties-Mithas (CoS 96268) and Sweety (CoS 96275) have been released in Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and west and central UP.

They were released on the basis of their comparative performance and wide agro climatic adaptability in the trials conducted in the North West Zone of All India Coordinated Research Project on Sugarcane.

UP cane commissioner Dr Har Sharan Das said ''both the varities are capable to give better yield and recovery in almost all the agro-climatic zones of the five states of north India.'' Both, Mithas and Sweety are good in germination, tillers, millable canes and yield well.

Both are gaining popularity among the millers due to its good quality juice.

Mithas and Sweety had also been earlier released for general cultivation in UP in the year 1999 and 2003 respectively.

UPCSR was marching ahead in evolving new sugarcane varieties, which may contribute lot to sugarcane industry and farmers, Mr Das said.

''Cost of sugarcane cultivation should be reduced and new vistas for developing allied commercial products, besides sugar should be developed, '' he added.

He also apprised about the upcoming centre of excellence in Biotechnology at Shahjahanpur.

UNI PDM KK DS1534