Crop Improvement unit focuses research on plant breeding, genetics and cytogenetics, genetic resource management approches and biotechnological methods. The research work is mainly on basic and applied aspects for the improvement of the rapeseed-mustard crop. Evaluation and enrichment of germplasm were also initiated for utilization in varietal improvement. Six scientists and two technical officer are working in the unit.
Objectives
- Development of superior rapeseed-mustard genotypes
- Evaluation and documentation of rapeseed-mustard germplasm
- Development of pre breeding lines and genetic stocks for biotic and abiotic stress
- Application of Biotechnological approaches for rapeseed-mustard improvement
Future Thrust Areas
- To continue intensified efforts for high quality oil, seed meal and white rust, alternaria blight and rot tolerant breeding lines.
- Enhance efforts for evolving improved genotypes for drought tolerance
- DNA finger printing, identification of molecular markers for quality and disease traits in rapeseed-mustard
- Development of more heterotic mustard hybrids
Projects
Institute Projects
- Population improvement for higher productivity and oil content in Indian mustard under normal and water stress conditions. PI: Dr. V. V. Singh, Pr. Scientist
- Development of hybrids in Indian mustard. PI: Dr. K.H. Singh, Pr. Scientist
- Widening of gene pool in Brassicas through Inter-specific and Inter-generic hybridization.
PI: Dr. Arun Kumar, Sr. Scientist
- Genetic and molecular basis of heat tolerance in Indian mustard. PI:Dr. Bhagirath Ram, Sr. Scientist
- Re- Synthesis of Indian mustard. PI: Dr. H.S.Meena, Sr. Scientist
- Breeding for quality traits in Indian Mustard. PI: Mrs. Priya Medha, Scientist
- Augmentation, Characterization, Evaluation, Rejuvenation and Maintenance of Rapeseed- Mustard Germplasm. PI: Dr. H. K. Sharma, Scientist
External Projects
- Characterization of rapeseed mustard varieties for DUS testing
- ICAR seed project on seed production in agricultural crops
Achievements
- The first CMS based hybrid (NRCHB 506) and 06 varieties of Indian mustard (NRCDR 02, NRCDR 601, NRCHB 101, DRMRIJ 31, DRMR150-35 and DRMR 1165-40 ) and one variety of yellow sarson (NRCYS 05-02) were developed at DRMR.
- Fourteen novel genetic stocks of rapeseed-mustard (CMS, restorer, low erucic acid, low erucic acid & low glucosinoltes. high oil content, high oleic acid and low linolenic acid, dwarf, earliness, long main shoot, bold seed, yellow seed, tetralocular siliquae, white rust resistance, tolerance to high temperature and salinity during juvenile stage, high temperature tolerance during terminal stage and high water use efficiency) were registered with NBPGR, New Delhi till 2014.
- Of the 12, 755 accessions available in India, the Directorate have 2548 accessions (Indian mustard-1904, Toria-239, Yellow sarson-178, Gobhi sarson-129, Taramira-49, Karan rai-21 and Others-16) through acquisition from national /international agencies and collection.
- Interspecific hybrid derived from cross NRCYS5-02 (B. rapa ssp. yellow sarson ) x B. frticulosa ( wild species ) and Brassica tournefortii x B. rapa var. yellow sarson (NRCYS-05-02), through sexual hybridization was confirmed using morphological, cytological and STMS markers.
- Base populations utilizing promising donors for drought tolerance, high oil content and yield components have been developed. Genetics of important morpho-physiological characters (nodal pigmentation, siliquae orientation, flower colour, water use efficiency, quality traits etc.) has been worked out.
- DUS guidelines for four species of rapeseed mustard and DUS descriptor of 104 varieties were developed.
Manpower
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Dr. V.V.Singh, Pr. Scientist (Plant Breeding)
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Dr. K.H Singh, Pr. Scientist (Plant Breeding)
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Dr. Bhagirath Ram, Pr. Scientist (Plant Breeding)
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Dr. Arun Kumar, Pr. Scientist (Genetics)
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Dr. H. S. Meena, Sr. Scientist (Plant Breeding)
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Dr. Priya Medha, Sr. Scientist (Plant Breeding)
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Dr. B. L. Meena, Scientist (Plant Breeding)
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Mr. Meetha Lal, ACTO
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Mr. Karnal Singh, STO
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