Plant Breeding

Plant Breeding

Plant Breeding

Seedlings

Plant Breeding

Seedlings

Plant Breeding

Seedlings

Plant Breeding

Field

Plant Breeding

Fully Grown Sugarcane

Plant Breeding

Harvesting

Plant Breeding

All over the world, sugarcane breeding programs are developing new, high-yielding cultivars that are resistant to major diseases to improve the profitability and sustainability of the sugar industries they serve.

The department's research focus is on:

• Identifying and releasing the best varieties for the industry
• Maximise genetic traits in sugarcane varieties
• Researching new methods of plant breeding

Varieties

ZN11

This is a high biomass variety with a 7% cane yield advantage over N14 and a 21% cane yield advantage over NCo376. Read more

ZN15

The main attraction about this varieties is its tolerance to Striga commonly known as witchweed/bvise/isona. Read more

ZN17

This is a typical high biomass variety with a 4% cane yield advantage over ZN10 but due to its poor ERC% cane of 13.6% Read more

ZN18

This is another typical high biomass variety with advantages over N14 and not ZN10.
  Read more

Dr. Leo Thokoza Mpofu (HOD)

Senior Plant Breeder