Crop Improvement Unit

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. J.Nanjundan, 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 04 varieties (NRCDR 02, NRCHB 101, NRCDR 601, and DRMRIJ 31) of Indian mustard and one variety of yellow sarson (NRCYS 05-02) were developed at DRMR.
  • Fifty 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) including eleven from DRMR were registered with NBPGR, New Delhi till 2013.
  • A total of 142 varieties (Indian mustard-91; toria-16; yellow sarson-11; gobhi sarson-11; brown sarson-3; karan rai-4; taramira-5 and black mustard-1) of rapeseed mustard have been released after inception of AICRP-RM in 1967 till 2013. These include six hybrids. Rapeseed-mustard varieties having tolerance to biotic (white rust, Alternaria blight, powdery mildew) & abiotic stresses (salinity, high temperature) and quality traits have been recommended for specific growing conditions.
  • 3013.36 q breeder seed was produced under the AICRP-RM from 1984- 85 to 2012-13 against the indent of 1292.98 q.
  • Of the 12, 755 accessions available in India, the Directorate have 2,452 accessions (Indian mustard-1868, Toria-245, Yellow sarson-150, Gobhi sarson-105, Taramira-48, Karan rai-17 and Others-19) through acquisition from national /international agencies and collection. Further, a total of 4,580 accessions were distributed to various national/international and non-governmental organizations since establishment.
  • 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

Dr. V.V.Singh,
Pr. Scientist (Plant Breeding)
 Dr. K.H Singh,
Sr. Scientist (Plant Breeding)
 Dr. Bhagirath Ram,
Sr. Scientist (Plant Breeding)
Dr. Arun Kumar,
Sr. Scientist (Genetics)
Dr. H. S. Meena,
Scientist (Plant Breeding)
 Dr. Priya Medha,
Scientist (Plant Breeding)
Dr. K. N Meena,
STO
Mr. Meetha Lal, ACTO
Mr. Karnal Singh, STO