Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics HoD’s Desk

   Plant Breeding and Genetics is an important subject and forms the basis for the development of new innovations. Understanding the Principles of Genetics, Cytogenetics, Biotechnology, help in the improvement of specific traits-disease resistance, pest resistance, quality, non-lodging, drought tolerance in crops. Conventional Breeding usually take 8-12 years to release a variety. Marker Assisted Breeding is a boon to the breeders for early selection of desirable types. Tissue culture helps in the micropropagation, disease elimination, salinity and drought screening and for creating  somaclonal variation. With all these facilities existing in the department, released so far six varieties of rice, one in Tephrosia purpurea (Kolingi), one in blackgram and one in Barnyard millet. Research is also focussed now towards the development of bold seeded cowpea, white seeded sesame, early duration (65 days) barnyard millet, high yield rice mutants, high battering quality blackgram, Teff a ‘New crop’, micropropgation of Hemidesmus and Gymnaema medicinal plants. Nucleus and breeder seed production of released varieties are also of our activities. Have Institutional linkages with ICRISAT- Hyderabad, Indian Institute of Millets Research – Hyderabad, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai.