Department of Plant Breeding & Genetics

Genesis

The department performs strategic and applied research on horticultural and agricultural crops with the aim to provide knowledge, tools and products for a bio-based economy, improved environment and human health. M.Sc programme in the department started in 1968 and PhD programme during 1979 and 40 batches and 36 students respectively completed the courses so far.

Vision/ Objective

In the present scenario of rapid climate change,we envision the development of promising climate resilient varieties in field crops, vegetable crops etc. The strong academic programme is designed to nurture the development of plant breeding professional capable of solving future challenges in the crop improvement scenario.

Mandate

Improved varieties with superior yield, quality and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses form the critical requirement for viable cultivation of any crop. The department of Plant Breeding and Genetics was established with a mission to deliver superior varieties to the farming community and to impart quality education in plant breeding methods, tools and strategies to the students.

Facilities

The infrastructure facilities available include one classroom, a laboratory, Molecular Biology Laboratory, Tissue culture Laboratory, Crossing shed and net house, Field laboratory, UG laboratory etc. The department also has equipments like Digital spectrophotometer, Autoclave (Vertical ), Vertical and horizontal gel electrophoresis units, Vertical minigel, ovens, PCR machine, Deep freezer, Refrigerator, LCD projectors, Trinocular microscope, Microcentrifuge, vortex shaker, Laminar air flow cabinet etc to facilitate teaching and research activities.

 

Present strength of Dept. of Plant Breeding and Genetics

Teaching faculty

1. Dr. Jiji Joseph, Professor and Head

2. Dr. Biju S., Assistant Professor

3. Dr. Asish I. Edakkalathur, Assistant Professor

4. Ms. Sruthy Menon V., Assistant Professor

Non-teaching faculty

1. Rasseena V. A., Lab assistant

 

Achievements / Major Accomplishments

·         Three rice varieties were released and two more are in pre-release stage.

·         One cowpea variety was identified and is currently in pre-release stage

·         Identified early maturing aromatic rice line

·         Identified SSR marker for heat tolerance in rice.

·         Statistical keys developed for predicting the performance of Cocoa accessions

·         Three accessions with Phytophthora pod rot disease resistance were identified in Cocoa

·         Superior Cocoa hybrid 13.7 identified

·         Identified Betel vine type Muvattupuzha local with high essential oil content and pungency

·         Core collection for rice with 34 accessions was identified

·         Four promising cowpea hybrids were selected and 18 superior lines were selected from segregating generation

·         Three superior black gram genotypes were selected

·         The three R genes introgressed rice lines were developed and backcrossed to Uma resulting in 28 BC₂F₁S.

·         In brinjal, progeny of Surya x S. viarum is found to be superior in fruit weight as well as absence of prickles on leaves and fruit pedicels.

·         Seven putative molecular markers  linked to iron toxicity tolerance  were identified in rice

·         Characterised Kuttiattoor mango cultivar of kannur district  for GI registration

·         Gene pyramiding using three R genes was done in rice variety Uma

·         Characterization of aromatic rice landraces by SSR profiling

·         Two promising hybrids and one accession were identified in Cucumber

·         Four superior wild/ semi domesticated genotypes were identified in bitter gourd.

ACADEMICS

List of Courses offered

Under graduate level

Catalogue No.	Course title	Credit
Pbgn 1101	Fundamentals of Genetics	2 + 1
Pbgn 1202	Fundamentals of Plant Breeding	2+1
Pbgn 2103	Crop improvement I	1+1
Pbgn 2204	Crop improvement II	1+1
Pbgn 3205	Intellectual Property Rights	1+0

 

·         Post graduate level

Catalogue No.	Course title	Credit
GP 501	Principles of Genetics	2+1
GP502	Cell Biology and Cytogenetics	2+1
GP503	Principles of Plant Breeding	2+1
GP504	Principles of Quantitative Genetics	2+1
GP506	Population Genetics	1+1
GP507	Heterosis Breeding	1+1
GP508	Molecular Genetics	2+1
GP509	Biotechnology for Crop Improvement	2+1
GP520	Genetics	2+0
GP591	Master’s Seminar	1+0
GP599	Master’s Research	0+20

 

·         Ph. D level

Catalogue No.	Course title	Credit
GP603	Genomics In Crop Improvement	2+1
GP604	Molecular And Chromosomal Manipulations In Crop Improvement	2+0
GP605	Advanced Plant Breeding Systems	2+0
GP608	Advances In Breeding Of Major Crops	3+0
GP 691	Doctoral Seminar I	1+0
GP 692	Doctoral Seminar II	1+0
GP 699	Doctoral Research	45

·         EXTENSION SERVICES:

Training, seminars and other services

·         Ongoing Projects (external aided)

Sl. No.	Project	Principal Investigator	Funding Agency
1.	Marker assisted breeding for developing heat tolerant, high yielding rice varieties suited for Kerala	Dr. P. Sindhumole	Annual plan project 2021-22
2	Production and distribution of quality planting materials of selected medicinal plants	Dr. Jiji Joseph	State Medicinal Board
3	Net work project on Breeding for biotic stress resistance in vegetable crops	Dr. Jiji Joseph	Annual plan project 2021-22
4	Strengthening infrastructure and research in Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics	Dr. Jiji Joseph	Annual plan project 2021-22