What is the common examiner trap about Agriculture in UPSC exams?

They may swap Co-20016 and Co-0238: Co-20016 is resistant to CF13 with 144.6 t/ha yield, while Co-0238 was moderately resistant only to CF07/CF08 and yielded 116.4 t/ha in trials. Also confuse sugar output (lt) with cane crushed (lt) or recovery percentage.

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Agriculture for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: UP sugar output fell from 126.4 lt (2019-20) to 89.5 lt (2025-26) — a drop of 36.9 lt. 2. Target this Disease: Red rot caused by Colletotrichum falcatum; CF13 is the virulent pathotype that broke Co-0238's resistance. 3. Target this Body: ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore developed Co-20016; AICRP identified it; Central Varietal Release Committee is next.

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UP Sugar Output Falls 36.9 Lt as Red Rot Hits Co-0238; ICAR's Co-20016 Clears AICRP

Q: Which institution developed the new sugarcane variety Co-20016 (Karan 20) mentioned in the article?

ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore, The article clearly states that Co-20016 was developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research's Sugarcane Breeding Institute (ICAR-SBI) at Coimbatore. ISMA conducted evaluation trials with ICAR-SBI, while AICRP identified the variety and the Central Varietal Release Committee is yet to approve it.

Q: Consider the following statements: 1. Co-0238 was developed by ICAR-SBI and released in 2009, and was evaluated as moderately resistant to the CF07 and CF08 pathotypes of red rot. 2. Co-20016 showed an average cane yield of 116.4 tonnes per hectare in ISMA trials. 3. UP's sugar production increased from 69.7 lt in 2011-12 to 126.4 lt in 2019-20. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is incorrect because 116.4 t/ha is the average cane yield of Co-0238, while Co-20016 yielded 144.6 t/ha. Statement 3 is correct: UP's sugar output rose from 69.7 lt in 2011-12 to 126.4 lt in 2019-20.

Q: According to ISMA's three-year evaluation trials, what was the average sucrose content of Co-20016 at the 10-month cropping period?

18.7%, The article states that the mean sucrose content in cane juice at 10 months was 18.7% for Co-20016, higher than 18.3% for Co-0238. The options 17.8% and 18.0% refer to Co-0238 and Co-21012 values mentioned in the article.

Q: Why does Dr Bakshi Ram caution that no single sugarcane variety should cover more than 40-50% of any growing region?

To prevent the loss of genetic resistance to disease caused by monoculture, The article attributes the breakdown of Co-0238 to intensive monoculture planting, which allowed the fungus to mutate into CF13. Dr Ram's warning is aimed at preserving genetic resistance by avoiding over-cultivation of a single variety.

Agriculture Economy Science & TechHIGH

Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link

27 Sept 2026

~2 min

Source: Indian Express

Key Data:126.4 lt to 89.5 ltCo-0238 released in 2009CF13 pathotypeCo-20016: 144.6 t/ha, 18.7% sucroseCo-0238 share: 82.2% (2019-20), 86.7% (2020-21)

Bodies:ICAR-SBIISMAAICRP on SugarcaneCentral Varietal Release Committee

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.UP sugar output plunged from 126.4 lt (2019-20) to 89.5 lt (2025-26) as Co-0238 suffered varietal breakdown to red rot CF13 pathotype.

2.ICAR-SBI's new variety Co-20016 (Karan 20) has shown 144.6 t/ha cane yield and 18.7% sucrose content, while being resistant to CF13.

3.Examiner's angle: monoculture-induced genetic vulnerability, sugarcane breeding institutions, and the variety approval chain — AICRP to Central Varietal Release Committee.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · Medium

Uttar Pradesh's sugar production has fallen by over 36 lakh tonnes in six years because the dominant cane variety Co-0238 lost resistance to red rot caused by the CF13 pathotype. A new ICAR-SBI variety Co-20016, with higher yield, higher sucrose content and red-rot resistance, has cleared AICRP trials and awaits central release. This is important for agriculture, plant pathology and UPSC GS-III questions on cropping patterns and plant protection.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

UP sugar output 2019-20126.4 lakh tonnes

UP sugar output 2025-2689.5 lakh tonnes

Co-0238 share in UP cane area (2020-21)86.7%

Co-20016 average cane yield144.6 t/ha vs 116.4 t/ha for Co-0238

Co-20016 sucrose content18.7% vs 18.3% for Co-0238

Red rot pathogenColletotrichum falcatum, pathotype CF13

Next approval bodyCentral Varietal Release Committee (expected October)

1-Minute Revision

›UP sugar output 2019-20: 126.4 lakh tonnes
›UP sugar output 2025-26: 89.5 lakh tonnes
›Target this Data: UP sugar output fell from 126.4 lt (2019-20) to 89.5 lt (2025-26) — a drop of 36.9 lt.
›Target this Disease: Red rot caused by Colletotrichum falcatum; CF13 is the virulent pathotype that broke Co-0238's resistance.
›Target this Body: ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore developed Co-20016; AICRP identified it; Central Varietal Release Committee is next.

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News Snapshot

🦠

Red Rot Breakdown

Co-0238, which covered over 82% of UP cane area by 2019-20, lost resistance to the CF13 pathotype of Colletotrichum falcatum.

🌱

Co-20016 Replacement

The new ICAR-SBI variety has shown 144.6 t/ha yield, 18.7% sucrose, and resistance to CF13 in evaluation trials.

📉

UP Sugar Slump

State sugar output dropped from 126.4 lt in 2019-20 to 89.5 lt in 2025-26, with cane crushed falling by over a fifth.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Uttar Pradesh, India's top cane-growing state, has seen sugar output drop from 126.4 lakh tonnes in 2019-20 to 89.5 lakh tonnes in 2025-26. The primary cause is the breakdown of Co-0238's resistance to red rot, as the fungus mutated into the highly virulent CF13 pathotype due to intensive monoculture.

Core Analysis & Implications

Co-0238, released in 2009, was initially moderately resistant to CF07 and CF08 pathotypes. Its share in UP's cane area rose to 82.2% by 2019-20 and 86.7% by 2020-21, enabling UP to overtake Maharashtra as India's No.1 producer. However, this over-cultivation caused genetic vulnerability, leading to yield losses and a sharp fall in mill cane crushing.

New Variety: Co-20016

ICAR-SBI's Co-20016 (Karan 20) has emerged as a strong replacement. ISMA trials show its three-year average cane yield at 144.6 t/ha against 116.4 t/ha for Co-0238, and sucrose content at 18.7% against 18.3%. It is resistant to the CF13 pathotype and has been identified by the AICRP Varietal Identification Committee.

Way Forward and Precautions

Co-20016 will now go before the Central Varietal Release Committee expected to meet in October. If approved, farmers can plant it in spring, summer or autumn. However, Dr Bakshi Ram warns that no single variety should cover more than 40-50% of any growing region to prevent recurrence of disease resistance breakdown.

Farmer-Level Impact

The article cites grower Jitender Singh Hooda from Shamli, who reduced sugarcane area from eight acres to six in 2025 and further to four acres in 2026. Yields fell from 38-39 tonnes per acre to 22-23 tonnes, showing how red rot has dented farmer confidence and forced diversification into maize, urad and basmati paddy.

Key Facts at a Glance

UP sugar output 2019-20126.4 lakh tonnes

UP sugar output 2025-2689.5 lakh tonnes

Co-0238 share in UP cane area (2020-21)86.7%

Co-20016 average cane yield144.6 t/ha vs 116.4 t/ha for Co-0238

Co-20016 sucrose content18.7% vs 18.3% for Co-0238

Red rot pathogenColletotrichum falcatum, pathotype CF13

Next approval bodyCentral Varietal Release Committee (expected October)

You've read the full analysis. Now test your understanding.

Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC

Which institution developed the new sugarcane variety Co-20016 (Karan 20) mentioned in the article?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC, SSC

Consider the following statements:

1. Co-0238 was developed by ICAR-SBI and released in 2009, and was evaluated as moderately resistant to the CF07 and CF08 pathotypes of red rot.

2. Co-20016 showed an average cane yield of 116.4 tonnes per hectare in ISMA trials.

3. UP's sugar production increased from 69.7 lt in 2011-12 to 126.4 lt in 2019-20.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, SSC, Banking

According to ISMA's three-year evaluation trials, what was the average sucrose content of Co-20016 at the 10-month cropping period?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC, State PSC

Why does Dr Bakshi Ram caution that no single sugarcane variety should cover more than 40-50% of any growing region?

All 25 MCQs ▸

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UP Sugar Output Falls 36.9 Lt as Red Rot Hits Co-0238; ICAR's Co-20016 Clears AICRP

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Red Rot Breakdown

Co-20016 Replacement

UP Sugar Slump

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

New Variety: Co-20016

Way Forward and Precautions

Farmer-Level Impact

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance