Crop Science

The Division has 13 national institutes including one deemed-to-be-university, 3 bureaus, 9 project directorates, 2 national research centres, 27 all-India coordinated research projects, and 5 all-India network projects. Besides, it administers a large number of revolving fund schemes and national research networks, and facilitates the technical clearance of externally funded projects.

Located at the ICAR Headquarters, the Division has 6 commodity/subject-specific technical sections, namely, (i) Food and Fodder Crops, (ii) Oilseeds and Pulses, (iii) Commercial Crops, (iv) Seeds, (v) Plant Protection, and (vi) Intellectual Property Rights. Each section is headed by an Assistant Director General (ADG). Three Principal Scientists assist the middle level management and technical backstopping of various scientific/technical matters whereas Deputy Secretary (Crop Sciences) is responsible for internal administrative matters in the Division.

• Citizen’s/Client’s Charter for Crop Science Division (2014-2015)
• Results-Framework Document for Crop Science Division (2014-15)
• Results-Framework Document for Crop Science Division (1st April, 2013- 31st March, 2014)
• Annual Performance Evaluation Report of RC (April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014)
• Results-Framework Document for Crop Science Division (1st April, 2011- 31st March, 2012)
• Annual Performance Evaluation Report of RC (April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012)

Thrust Areas

• Conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources of plants, insects and other invertebrates, and agriculturally important microorganisms
• Providing knowledge-intensive advisory and consultancy in crop-science

Achievements

• First in the world to develop hybrids in grain pearl millet and cotton in the 1970s; also developed hybrids in other crops, including non-conventional crops, such as castor, safflower, rice, pigeonpea and rapeseed-mustard; developed single cross hybrids in quality protein maize (QPM) and baby corn for high nutritional value in addition to high yield
• Employed genes for stress resistance and quality in several crops from their wild relatives; developed early and suitable plant types for new niche areas and cropping systems in pulses and other crops; evolved effective male sterility systems for hybrid development in many crops

• For the first time, successfully employed molecular marker assisted selection/pyramiding and backcross transfer of 'xa13 , and 'Xa21 , genes from IRBB 55 in the genetic background of Pusa Basmati 1; thus developed bacterial blast resistant variety Improved Pusa Basmati 1
• Identified and isolated a gene conferring male sterility in mustard that is useful for hybrid development in other crops; developed a SCAR marker for fertility restorer gene

• Cloned and characterized a gene 'Pi-Kh' that confers resistance to Blast disease; validated the gene in transgenic rice
• Identification of novel Arabidopsis derived promoter that drives constitutive expression of foreign genes in transgenic plants
• Isolated and cloned drought stress responsive transcription factors 'TaCBF5' and 'TaCBF9' from drought tolerant wheat variety C 306
• Sequenced 6.7 million base pairs of long-arm of chromosome 11 of rice in a major global effort
• DNA fingerprinting in 33 major crops; fingerprinted 2215 released varieties and landraces.

• Conserved over 346,000 germplasm accessions of crops and their wild relatives at NBPGR, New Delhi, and 2, 517 microorganism cultures (394 bacterial, 2, 077 fungal, 36 Actinomycetes and 10 yeast accessions) at NBAIM, Mau; digitalized database of over 175,000 insect species at IARI, New Delhi
• Established a mechanism of registration and documentation of potentially valuable plant germplasm at NBPGR, New Delhi; registered 482 accessions belonging to 77 plant species
• Developed the bioinsecticide strain DOR Bt-l, registered and commercialized its formulation KNOCK W.P. along with a low-cost mass multiplication methodology for integrated management of semilooper caterpillar in a number of crops; developed endosulfan-tolerant strain of Trichogramma chilonis (Endograma); deployed Pest Management Information System including Interactive Kiosks for Basmati rice, cotton, mustard, chickpea and groundnut

• Digitalized extant-notified varieties database using Indian Information System (INDUS) software; developed DUS test parameters for 35 crops for Indian conditions.
• Doubled the seed production of improved varieties in a year amounting to 606,000 quintals during 2006-07 through a mega seed project; thus enhanced the transfer of released varieties for cultivation

Forage Crops and Grasses Papaya mealybug and its management strategies