M. Sc. Plant Sciences

Genetics and Plant Breeding (GPB) (M.Sc.)

1. Principles of Genetics
2. Principles of Plant Breeding
3. Fundamentals of Quantitative Genetics
4. Varietal Development and Maintenance Breeding
5. Principles of Cytogenetics
6. Molecular Breeding and Bioinformatics
7. Breeding for Quality and Special Traits
8. Mutagenesis and Mutation Breeding
9. Hybrid Breeding
10. Seed Production and Certification
11. Crop Breeding-I (Kharif Crops)
12. Crop Breeding-II (Rabi Crops)
13. Breeding Vegetable Crops 
14. Breeding Fruit Crops
15. Breeding Ornamental Crops
16. Breeding for Stress Resistance and Climate Change
17. Germplasm Characterization and Evaluation
18. Genetic enhancement for PGR Utilization

Seed Science and Technology (SST) (M.Sc)

1. Seed Developmental Biology
2. Seed Dormancy and Germination
3. Seed Production Principles and Techniques in Field Crops
4. Seed Production Principles and Techniques in Vegetable Crops
5. Seed Production Techniques in Fruits, Flowers, Spices, Plantation and Medicinal Crops
6. Seed Production Techniques in Forage, Pasture and Green Manure Crops
7. Seed Legislation and Certification
8. Post Harvest Handling and Storage of Seeds
9. Seed Quality Testing and Enhancement
10. Seed Technology of Tree Species
11. Seed Industry and Marketing Management
12. Seed Health Testing and Management

Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) (M.Sc.)

1. Germplasm Exploration and Plant Systematics
2. Plant Diversity and Conservation
3. Germplasm Characterization and Evaluation
4. Genetic Enhancement for PGR Utilization
5. Economic Botany
6. Information Management in PGR
7. PGR Exchange and Quarantine
8. Genomics in PGR management
9. Plant Biosecurity
10. Principles of Genetics for PGR Management
11. Principles of Plant Breeding for PGR Management
12. Concepts in Conservation Genetics

 

Genetics and Plant Breeding (GPB) (M.Sc.)

1. Principles of Genetics

Content: Beginning of genetics, early concepts of inheritance, Mendel’s laws; Discussion on Mendel’s paper, Chromosomal theory of inheritance; Multiple alleles, Gene interactions, Sex determination, differentiation and sex-linkage, Sex-influenced and sex-limited traits; Linkage-detection, estimation; Recombination and genetic mapping in eukaryotes, Somatic cell genetics, Extra chromosomal inheritance. Mendelian population, Random mating population, Frequencies of genes and genotypes, Causes of change: Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Nature, structure and replication of the genetic material; Organization of DNA in chromosomes, Genetic code; Protein biosynthesis, Genetic fine structure analysis, Allelic complementation, Split genes, overlapping genes, Pseudogenes, Oncogenes, Gene families and clusters; Regulation of gene activity in prokaryotes and eukaryotes; Molecular mechanisms of mutation, repair and suppression; Bacterial plasmids, insertion (IS) and transposable (Tn) elements; Molecular chaperones and gene expression, RNA editing. Gene isolation, synthesis and cloning, genomic and cDNA libraries, PCR based cloning, positional cloning; Nucleic acid hybridization and immunochemical detection; DNA sequencing; DNA restriction and modification, Anti-sense RNA and ribozymes; Micro-RNAs (miRNAs). Genomics and proteomics; metagenomics; Transgenic bacteria and bioethics; Gene silencing; genetics of mitochondria and chloroplasts. Concepts of Eugenics, Epigenetics, Genetic disorders.

Practical: Laboratory exercises in probability and chi-square; Demonstration of genetic principles using laboratory organisms; Chromosome mapping using three-point test cross; Tetrad analysis; Induction and detection of mutations through genetic tests; DNA extraction and PCR amplification; Electrophoresis: basic principles and running of amplified DNA; Extraction of proteins and isozymes; Use of Agrobacterium mediated method and Biolistic gun; Detection of transgenes in the exposed plant material; Visit to transgenic glasshouse and learning the practical considerations.

1. Principles of Plant Breeding

Content: Early Plant Breeding; Accomplishments through plant breeding; Objectives of plant breeding; Patterns of Evolution in Crop Plants: Centre of Origin, Agro-biodiversity and its significance. Pre-breeding and plant introduction and role of plant genetic resources in plant breeding. Genetic basis of breeding: self and cross pollinated crops including mating systems and response to selection; Nature of variability, components of variation; Heritability and genetic advance, genotype environment interaction; General and specific combining ability; Types of gene actions and implications in plant breeding. Pure line theory, pure line and mass selection methods; pedigree, bulk, backcross, single seed descent and multiline breeding; Population breeding in self-pollinated crops with special reference to diallel selective mating; Transgressive breeding. Breeding methods in cross pollinated crops; Population breeding: mass selection and ear-to-row methods; S1 and S2 progeny testing, progeny selection schemes, recurrent selection schemes for intra and inter-population improvement and development of synthetics and composites. Hybrid breeding: genetical and physiological basis of heterosis and inbreeding, production of inbreeds, breeding approaches for improvement of inbreeds, predicting hybrid performance; seed production of hybrid and their parent varieties/ inbreeds. Self-incompatibility, male sterility and apomixes in crop plants and their commercial exploitation. Breeding methods in asexually/ clonally propagated crops, clonal selection. Special breeding techniques: Mutation breeding, Breeding for abiotic and biotic stresses; Concept of plant ideotype and its role in crop improvement, concept of MAS, concept of polyploidy and wide hybridization, doubled haploidy. Cultivar development: testing, release and notification, maintenance breeding, Participatory Plant Breeding, Plant breeders’ rights and regulations for plant variety protection and farmers rights.

Practical: Laboratory exercises in probability and chi-square; Demonstration of genetic principles using laboratory organisms; Chromosome mapping using three-point test cross; Tetrad analysis; Induction and detection of mutations through genetic tests; DNA extraction and PCR amplification; Electrophoresis: basic principles and running of amplified DNA; Extraction of proteins and isozymes; Use of Agrobacterium mediated method and Biolistic gun; Detection of transgenes in the exposed plant material; Visit to transgenic glasshouse and learning the practical considerations. Learning techniques in hybrid seed production using male-sterility in field crops; Prediction of performance of double cross hybrid.

1. Fundamentals of Quantitative Genetics

Content: Introduction and historical background of quantitative genetics, Multiple factor hypothesis, Qualitative and quantitative characters, Analysis of continuous variation mean, range, SD, CV; Components of variation- Phenotypic, Genotypic, Nature of gene action- additive, dominance and epistatic, linkage effect. Principles of analysis of variance and linear model, Expected variance components, Random and fixed effect model, Comparison of means and variances for significance.  Designs for plant breeding experiments- principles and applications; Variability parameters, concept of selection, simultaneous selection modes and selection of parents, MANOVA. Association analysis- Genotypic and phenotypic correlation, Path analysis Discriminate function and principal component analysis, Genetic divergence analysis- Metroglyph and D2, Generation mean analysis, Parent progeny regression analysis. Mating designs- classification, Diallel, partial diallel, L × T, NCDs, and TTC; Concept of combining ability and gene action, G × E interaction-Adaptability and stability; Methods and models for stability analysis; Basic models- principles and interpretation, Bi-plot analysis. QTL mapping, Strategies for QTL mapping- Desired population and statistical methods, QTL mapping in genetic analysis; Markers, Marker assisted selection and factors influencing the MAS, Simultaneous selection based on marker and phenotype.

Practical: Analysis and interpretation of variability parameters; Analysis and interpretation of Index score and Metroglyph; Clustering and interpretation of D2 analysis; Genotypic and phenotypic correlation analysis and interpretation; Path coefficient analysis and interpretation, Estimation of different types of heterosis, inbreeding depression and interpretation; A, B and C Scaling test; L × T analysis and interpretation, QTL analysis; Use of computer packages; Diallel analysis; G × E interaction and stability analysis.

1. Varietal Development and Maintenance Breeding

Content:  Variety Development systemsand Maintenance; Definition- variety, cultivar, extant variety, essentially derived variety, independently derived variety, reference variety, farmers’ variety, landraces, hybrid, and population; Variety testing, release and notification systems and norms in India and abroad. DUS testing- DUS Descriptors for major crops; Genetic purity concept and maintenance breeding. Factors responsible for genetic deterioration of varieties - safeguards during seed production. Maintenance of varieties in self and cross pollinated crops, isolation distance; Principles of seed production; Methods of nucleus and breeder seed production; Generation system of seed multiplication -nucleus, breeders, foundation, certified. Quality seed production technology of self and cross-pollinated crop varieties, viz., cereals and millets (wheat, barley, paddy, pearlmillet, sorghum, maize and ragi, etc.); Pulses (greengram, blackgram, cowpea, pigeonpea, chickpea, fieldpea, lentil); Oilseeds (groundnut, soybean, sesame, castor, sunflower, safflower, linseed, rapeseed and mustard); fibres (cotton/ jute) and forages (guar, forage sorghum, teosinte, oats, berseem, lucerne). Seed certification procedures; Seed laws and acts, plant variety protection regulations in India and international systems.

Practical: Identification of suitable areas/ locations for seed production; Ear-to-row method and nucleus seed production; Main characteristics of released and notified varieties, hybrids and parental lines; PGMS and TGMS; Identification of important weeds/ objectionable weeds; Determination of isolation distance and planting ratios in different crops; Seed production techniques of varieties in different crops; Hybrid seed production technology of important crops; DUS testing and descriptors in major crops; Variety release proposal formats in different crops.

Practical: Analysis and interpretation of variability parameters; Analysis and interpretation of Index score and Metroglyph; Clustering and interpretation of D2 analysis; Genotypic and phenotypic correlation analysis and interpretation; Path coefficient analysis and interpretation, Estimation of different types of heterosis, inbreeding depression and interpretation; A, B and C Scaling test; L × T analysis and interpretation, QTL analysis; Use of computer packages; Diallel analysis; G × E interaction and stability analysis.

1. Principles of Cytogenetics

Content: Cell cycle and architecture of chromosome in prokaryotes and eukaryotes; Chromonemata, chromosome matrix, chromomeres, centromere, secondary constriction and telomere; artificial chromosome construction and its uses; Special types of chromosomes.Variation in chromosome structure: Evolutionary significance; Introduction to techniques for karyotyping; Chromosome banding and painting –In situ hybridization and various applications. Structural and numerical variations of chromosomes and their implications; Symbols and terminologies for chromosome numbers, euploidy, haploids, diploids and polyploids; Utilization of aneuploids in gene location; Variation in chromosome behaviour, somatic segregation and chimeras, endomitosis and somatic reduction; Evolutionary significance of chromosomal aberrations, balanced lethal and chromosome complexes; Inter-varietal chromosome substitutions. Fertilization barriers in crop plants at pre-and postfertilization levels; In-vitro techniques to overcome the fertilization barriers in crops; Polyploidy. Genetic consequences of polyploidization and role of polyploids in crop breeding; Evolutionary advantages of autopolyploid vs allopolyploids; Role of aneuploids in basic and applied aspects of crop breeding, their maintenance and utilization in gene mapping and gene blocks transfer; Alien addition and substitution lines, creation and utilization; Apomixis, evolutionary and genetic problems in crops with apomixes. Reversion of autopolyploid to diploids; Genome mapping in polyploids; Interspecific hybridization and allopolyploids; Synthesis of new crops (wheat, Triticale, Brassica, and cotton); Hybrids between species with same chromosome number, alien translocations; Hybrids between species with different chromosome number; Gene transfer using amphidiploids, bridge species. Chromosome manipulations in wide hybridization; case studies; Production and use of haploids, dihaploids and doubled haploids in genetics and breeding.

Practical: Learning the cytogenetical laboratory techniques, various chemicals to be used for fixation, dehydration, embedding, staining, cleaning, etc.; Microscopy: various types of microscopes; Preparing specimen for observation; Fixative preparation and fixing specimen for light microscopy studies in cereals; Studies on mitosis and meiosis in crop plants; Using micrometres and studying the pollen grain size in various crops. Pollen germination in vivo and in-vitro; Demonstration of polyploidy.

1. Molecular Breeding and Bioinformatics

Content: Genotyping; Biochemical and Molecular markers; Morphological, biochemical and DNA-based markers (RFLP, RAPD, AFLP, SSR, SNPs, ESTs, etc.), Functional markers; Mapping populations (F2s, back crosses, RILs, NILs and DH); Molecular mapping and tagging of agronomically important traits; Statistical tools in marker analysis. Allele mining; Marker-assisted selection for qualitative and quantitative traits; QTLs analysis in crop plants; Marker-assisted backcross breeding for rapid introgression; Genomics- assisted breeding; Generation of EDVs; Gene pyramiding. Introduction to Comparative Genomics; Large scale genome sequencing strategies; Human genome project; Arabidopsis genome project; Rice genome project; Comparative genomics tools; Introduction to proteomics; 2D gel electrophoresis; chromatography and sequencing by Edman degradation and mass spectrometry; Endopeptidases; Nanotechnology and its applications in crop improvement. Recombinant DNA technology, transgenes, method of transformation, selectable markers and clean transformation techniques, vector-mediated gene transfer, physical methods of gene transfer; Production of transgenic plants in various field crops: cotton, wheat, maize, rice, soybean, oilseeds, sugarcane, etc. and commercial releases; Biotechnology applications in male sterility/ hybrid breeding, molecular farming; Application of Tissue culture in molecular breeding; MOs and related

issues (risk and regulations); GMO; International regulations, biosafety issues of GMOs; Regulatory procedures in major countries including India, ethical, legal and social issues; Intellectual property rights; Introduction to bioinformatics: bioinformatics tools, biological data bases (primary and secondary), implications in crop improvement.

Practical: Requirements for plant tissue culture laboratory; Techniques in plant tissue culture; Media components and media preparation; Aseptic manipulation of various explants, observations on the contaminants occurring in media, interpretations; Inoculation of explants, callus induction and plant regeneration; Standardizing the protocols for regeneration; Hardening of regenerated plants;  stablishing a greenhouse and hardening procedures; Visit to commercial micropropagation unit; Transformation using Agrobacterium strains; GUS assay in transformed cells/ tissues; DNA isolation, DNA purity and quantification tests; Gel electrophoresis of proteins and isozymes, PCR-based DNA markers, gel scoring and data analysis for tagging and phylogenetic relationship; Construction of genetic linkage maps using computer software; NCBI Genomic Resources, GBFF, Swiss Prot, Blast n/ Blast p, Gene Prediction Tool, Expasy Resources, PUBMED and PMC, OMIM and OMIA, ORF finder; Comparative Genomic Resources: - Map Viewer (UCSC Browser and Ensembl); Primer designing- Primer 3/ Primer BLAST.

1. Breeding for Quality and Special Traits

Content:  Developmental biochemistry and genetics of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, amino acids and anti-nutritional factors; Nutritional improvement - A human perspective. Breeding for grain quality parameters in rice and its analysis; Golden rice and aromatic rice: Breeding strategies, achievements and application in Indian context; Molecular basis of quality traits and their manipulation in rice; Post harvest manipulation for quality improvement; Breeding for baking qualities in wheat, characters to be considered and breeding strategies, molecular and cytogenetic manipulation for quality improvement in wheat. Breeding for quality improvement in Sorghum, pearl millet, barley and oats; Quality protein maize, specialty corns, concept and breeding strategies; Breeding for quality improvement in important forage crops for stay green traits; Genetic resource management for sustaining nutritive quality in crops. Breeding for quality improvement in pulses – Chickpea, pigeonpea, green gram and black gram cooking quality; Breeding for quality in oilseeds -groundnut, mustard, soybean, sesame, sunflower and minor oilseeds; Molecular basis of fat formation and manipulation to achieve more PUFA in oil crops; Genetic manipulation for quality improvement in cotton. Breeding for quality improvement in Sugarcane, potato. Genetic engineering protocols for quality improvement: Achievements made; Biofortification in crops; Classification and importance, Nutritional genomics and Second generation transgenics.

Practical: Grain quality evaluation in rice; Correlating ageing and quality improvement in

rice; Quality analysis in millets; Estimation of anti-nutritional factors like tannins in different varieties/ hybrids: A comparison; Quality parameters evaluation in wheat, pulses and oilseeds; Evaluation of quality parameters in cotton, sugarcane and potato; Value addition in crop plants; Post-harvest processing of major field crops; Quality improvement in crops through tissue culture techniques; Evaluating the available populations like RIL, NIL, etc. for quality improvement using MAS procedures; Successful example of application of MAS for quality trait in rice, mustard, maize, etc.

1. Mutagenesis and Mutation Breeding

Content: Mutation and its history, nature and classification of mutations: spontaneous and induced mutations, micro and macro mutations, pre and post adaptive mutations; Detection of mutations. Paramutations in crops plants. Mutagenic agents: physical – radiation types and sources: Ionizing and non-ionizing radiations. Radiobiology: mechanism of action of various radiations (photoelectric absorption, Compton scattering and pair production) and their biological effects – RBE and LET relationships; Effect of mutations on DNA – repair mechanisms operating at DNA, chromosome, cell and organism level to counteract the mutation effects; Dosimetry -Objects and methods of treatment; Factors influencing mutation: dose rate, acute vs chronic irradiation, recurrent irradiation, enhancement of thermal neutron effects; Radiation sensitivity and modifying factors: External and internal

sources – Oxygen, water content, temperature and nuclear volume. Chemical mutagens: Classification – base analogues, antibiotics, alkylating agents, acridine dyes and other mutagens: their properties and mode of action; Dose determination and factors influencing chemical mutagenesis; Treatment methods using physical and chemical mutagens, Combination treatments; other causes of mutation – direct and indirect action, comparative evaluation of physical and chemical mutagens. Observing mutagen effects in M1 generation: plant injury, lethality, sterility, chimeras, etc.; Observing mutagen effects in M2 generation; Estimation of mutagenic efficiency and effectiveness – spectrum of chlorophyll and viable mutations; Mutations in traits with continuous variation; Factors influencing the mutant spectrum: genotype, type of mutagen and dose, pleiotropy and linkage, etc.; Individual plant based mutation analysis and working out effectiveness and efficiency in M3 generation; Comparative evaluation of physical and chemical mutagens for creation of variability in the some species- Case studies. Use of mutagens in creating oligogenic and polygenic variations – Case studies; In-vitro mutagenesis – Callus and pollen irradiation; Handling of segregating M2 generations and selection procedures; Validation of mutants; Mutation breeding for various traits (disease resistance, insect resistance, quality improvement, etc.) in different crops; Procedures for micromutations breeding/ polygenic mutations; Achievements of mutation breeding- varieties released across the world, problems associated with mutation breeding. Use of mutagens in genomics, allele mining, TILLING.

Practical: Precautions on handling of mutagens; Dosimetry-Studies of different mutagenic

agents:Physical mutagens and Chemical mutagens; Learning on Radioactivity- Production source and isotopes at BRIT, Trombay, Learning about gamma chamber; Radiation hazards: Monitoring – safety regulations and safe transportation of radioisotopes, visit to radio isotope laboratory; learning on safe disposal of radioisotopes; Hazards due to chemical mutagens – Treating the plant propagules at different doses of physical and chemical mutagens; Procedures in combined mutagenic treatments; Raising the crop for observation; Mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency, calculating the same from earlier literature; Study of M1 generation – Parameters; Study of M2 generation – Parameters; Mutation breeding in cereals and pulses-achievements made and an analysis; Mutation breeding in oilseeds and cotton- achievements and opportunities; Mutation breeding in forage crops and vegetatively propagated crops; Procedure for detection of mutations for polygenic traits in M2 and M3 generations.

1. Hybrid Breeding

Content: Historical aspect of heterosis, nomenclature and definitions of heterosis; Heterosis in natural population and inbred population; Evolutionary aspects – Genetic consequences of selfing, sibbing and crossing in self-and cross-pollinated and asexually propagated crops; Pre-Mendelian and Post-Mendelian ideas – Evolutionary concepts of heterosis; Genetic theories of heterosis – Physiological, Biochemical and molecular factors underlining heterosis; theories and their estimation; Biometrical basis of heterosis. Prediction of heterosis from various crosses, inbreeding depression, coefficient of inbreeding and its estimation, residual heterosis in F2 and segregating populations, importance of inbreeding in exploitation of heterosis – case studies.; Relationship between genetic distance and expression of heterosis, case studies; Divergence and genetic distance analyses, morphological and molecular genetic distance in predicting heterosis; Development of heterotic pools in germplasm/ genetic stocks and inbreeds, their improvement for increasing heterosis. Male sterility and use in heterosis breeding; Male sterile line creation and diversification in self-pollinated, cross pollinated and asexually propagated crops; Creation of male sterility through genetic engineering and its exploitation in heterosis; Maintenance, transfer and restoration of different types of male sterility; Use of self-incompatibility in development of hybrids. Hybrid seed production system: 3-line, 2-line and 1-line system; Development of inbreeds and parental lines- A, B and R lines – functional male sterility; Commercial exploitation of heterosis, maintenance breeding of parental lines in hybrids; Fixation of heterosis in self, cross and often cross pollinated crops, asexually/ clonally propagated crops, problems and prospects; Apomixis in fixing heterosis-concept of single line hybrid; Organellar heterosis and complementation.

Hybrid breeding in wheat, rice, cotton, maize, pearl millet, sorghum and rapeseedmustard, sunflower, safflower and castor oilseed crops and pigeonpea.

Practical: Characterization of male sterile lines using morphological descriptors; Restorer line identification and diversification of male sterile sources; Male sterile line creation in crop plants, problems in creation of CGMS system, ways of overcoming them; Diversification and restoration; Success stories of hybrid breeding in Maize, Rice, Pearl millet, Sorghum and Pigeon pea; Understanding the difficulties in breeding apomicts; Estimation of heterotic parameters in self, cross and asexually propagated crops; Estimation from the various models for heterosis parameters; Hybrid seed production in field crops—an account on the released hybrids, their potential, problems and ways of overcoming it; Hybrid breeding at National and International level, opportunities ahead.

1. Seed Production and Certification

Content: Importance of seed as basic input in agriculture; Seed quality concept and importance; Generation system of seed multiplication -Varietal replacement rate, Seed multiplication ratios, Seed replacement rate, Seed renewal period and seed demand and supply; Various factors influencing seed production –Physical and Genetic purity in seed production; Factors responsible for varietal and genetic deterioration. Nucleus seed production and its maintenance - Maintenance of parental lines of hybrids, Production of breeder, foundation and certified seed and their quality maintenance; Principles of seed production in self- and cross-pollinated crops; Hybrid seed production - system and techniques involved in Seed village concept; Organic seed production and certification. Principles of seed production in field crops; Floral structure, pollination mechanism and seed production techniques in self- and cross-pollinated cereals and millets. Floral structure, pollination mechanism and methods and techniques of seed production in major pulses and oilseed crops; Varietal and hybrid seed production techniques in Pigeon pea, Mustard, Castor and Sunflower. Floral structure, pollination mechanism and methods and techniques of seed production in major commercial fibres. Hybrid-seed production techniques in major vegetatively propagated crops. Seed certification - history, concept, objectives;Central seed certification board Seed certification agency/ organization and staff requirement; Legal status - Phases of seed certification, formulation, revision and publication of seed certification standards; Minimum Seed Certification Standards (MSCS) for different crops - General and specific crop standards, Field and seed standards; Planning and management of seed certification programs; Eligibility of a variety for certification, area assessment, cropping history of the seed field.

Practical: Planting design for variety- hybrid seed production techniques, planting ratio of male and female lines, synchronization of parental lines and methods to achieve synchrony; Identification of rogues and pollen shedders, supplementary pollination, detasseling, hand emasculation and pollination; Pollen collection and storage methods, pollen viability and stigma receptivity; Pre-harvest sanitation, maturity symptoms, harvesting techniques; Visits to seed production plots - visit to seed industries; Planning for seed production: cost benefit ratio, seed multiplication ratio and seed replacement rate; General procedure of seed certification, identification of weed and other crop seeds as per specific crops, field inspection at different stages of a crop and observations recorded on contaminants and reporting of results, inspection and sampling, harvesting/ threshing, processing and after processing for seed law enforcement; Specifications for tags and labels to be used for certification purpose.

1. Crop Breeding I (Kharif Crops)

Content: Rice: Origin, evolution, mode of reproduction, chromosome number; Genetics – cytogenetics and genome relationship; Breeding objectives: yield, quality characters, biotic and abiotic stress resistance, etc.; Breeding approaches, introgression of alien gene(s) (if required), biotic and abiotic stress resistance, heterosis breeding, released varieties, examples of MAS used for improvement, Aerobic rice, its implications and drought resistance breeding. Maize: Origin, evolution, mode of reproduction, chromosome number; Genetics –

cytogenetics and genome relationship; Breeding objectives: yield, quality characters, biotic and abiotic stress resistance, etc.; Breeding approaches, introgression of alien gene(s) (if required), biotic and abiotic stress resistance, heterosis breeding, releasedvarieties, examples of MAS used for improvement- QPM and Bt maize – strategies and implications. Small millets: Evolution and distribution of species and forms - wild relatives and germplasm; Cytogenetics and genome relationship - breeding objectives yield, quality characters, biotic and abiotic stress resistance, etc. Pigeon pea: evolution, mode of reproduction, chromosome number; Genetics – cytogenetics and genome relationship; Breeding objectives: yield, quality characters, biotic and abiotic stress resistance, etc.; Breeding approaches, introgression of alien gene(s) (if required), biotic and abiotic stress resistance, heterosis breeding, released varieties, examples of MAS used for improvement - Hybrid technology; maintenance of male sterile, fertile and restorer lines, progress made at National and International institutes. Groundnut: Origin, evolution mode of reproduction, chromosome number; Genetics – cytogenetics and genome relationship, breeding objectives: yield, quality characters, biotic and abiotic stress resistance, etc.; Breeding approaches, introgression of alien gene(s) (if required), biotic and abiotic stress resistance, released varieties, examples of MAS used for improvement. Other pulses: Urdbean, mungbean, cowpea,: Origin, evolution, mode of reproduction, chromosome number; Genetics – cytogenetics and genome relationship, breeding objectives: yield, quality characters, biotic and abiotic stress resistance, etc.; Breeding approaches, introgression of alien gene(s) (if required), released varieties, examples of MAS used for improvement. Interspecific crosses attempted and its implications, reasons for failure, ways of overcoming them. Soybean: Origin, evolution, mode of reproduction, chromosome number; Genetics – cytogenetics and genome relationship; Breeding objectives: yield, quality characters, biotic and abiotic stress resistance, etc.; Breeding approaches, introgression of alien gene(s) (if required), biotic and abiotic stress resistance, heterosis breeding, released varieties, examples of MAS used for improvement. Castor and Sesame: Origin, evolution mode of reproduction, chromosome number; Genetics –cytogenetics and genome relationship; Breeding objectives: yield, quality characters, biotic and abiotic stress resistance, etc.; Breeding approaches, introgression of alien gene(s) (if required), released varieties, examples of MAS used for improvement; Hybrid breeding in castor – opportunities, constraints and achievements. Cotton: Origin, evolution, mode of reproduction, chromosome number; Genetics – cytogenetics and genome relationship; Breeding objectives: yield, quality characters, biotic and abiotic stress resistance, etc.; Breeding approaches, introgression of alien gene(s) (if required), biotic and abiotic stress resistance, heterosis breeding, released varieties, examples of MAS used for improvement, Development and maintenance of male sterile lines – Hybrid development and seed production – Scenario of Bt cottons, evaluation procedures for Bt cotton. Jute: Origin, evolution, mode of reproduction, chromosome number; Genetics – cytogenetics and genome relationship; Breeding objectives: yield, quality characters, biotic and abiotic stress resistance, etc.; Breeding approaches, introgression of alien gene(s) (if required), biotic and abiotic stress resistance, heterosis breeding, released varieties, examples of MAS used for improvement. Sugarcane: Evolution and distribution of species and forms, wild relatives and germplasm; Cytogenetics and genome relationship – Breeding objectives- yield, quality characters, biotic and abiotic stress resistance, etc. Forage crops: Evolution and distribution of species and forms – Wild relatives and germplasm; Cytogenetics and genome relationship; Breeding objectives- yield, quality characters and palatability studies; Biotic and abiotic stress resistance, etc. Seed spices: Origin, evolution, mode of reproduction, chromosome number; Genetics – cytogenetics and genome relationship; Breeding objectives: yield, quality characters, biotic and abiotic stress resistance, etc.; Breeding approaches, introgression of alien gene(s) (if required), biotic and abiotic stress resistance, heterosis breeding, released varieties, examples of MAS used for improvement; Achievements of important spice crops.

Practical: Floral biology, emasculation, pollination techniques in rice, maize, pigeon pea, soybean, sesame, cotton; Study of range of variation for yield and yield components; Study of segregating populations in cereal, pulses and oilseed crops; Learning on the crosses between different species; attempting crosses between black gram and green gram; Evaluating the germplasm of cotton for yield, quality and resistance parameters, learning the procedures on development of Bt cotton; Visit to Cotton Technology Laboratory and Spinning Mills; Learning on the Standard Evaluation System (SES) and descriptors; Use of software for database management and retrieval; Practical learning on the cultivation of fodder crop species on sewage water, analysing them for yield components and palatability; Laboratory analysis of forage crops for crude protein, digestibility percent and other quality attributes;

Visit to animal feed producing factories; Learning the practice of value addition; Visiting the animal husbandry unit and learning the animal experiments related with palatability and digestibility of fodder.

1. Crop Breeding-II (Rabi Crops)

Content: Wheat: Origin, evolution, mode of reproduction, chromosome number; Genetics –

cytogenetics and genome relationship; Breeding objectives: yield, quality characters, biotic and abiotic stress resistance, etc., breeding approaches, introgression of alien gene(s) (if required), biotic and abiotic stress resistance, heterosis breeding, released varieties, examples of MAS used for improvement. Oats: Origin, evolution, mode of reproduction, chromosome number; Genetics – cytogenetics and genome relationship; Breeding objectives: yield, quality characters, biotic and abiotic stress resistance, etc., breeding approaches, introgression of alien gene(s) (if required), biotic and abiotic stress resistance, released varieties, examples of MAS used for improvement. Barley: Origin, evolution, center of origin, mode of reproduction, chromosome number; Genetics – cytogenetics and genome relationship; Breeding objectives: yield, quality characters, biotic and abiotic stress resistance, etc., breeding approaches, introgression of alien gene(s) (if required), biotic and abiotic stress resistance, released varieties, examples of MAS used for improvement. Chickpea: Origin, evolution mode of reproduction, chromosome number; Genetics – cytogenetics and genome relationship; Breeding objectives: yield, quality characters, biotic and abiotic stress resistance, etc., breeding approaches, introgression of alien gene(s) (if required), biotic and abiotic stress resistance, released varieties, examples of MAS used for improvement. Other pulses: Lentil, field pea, Rajma, Horse gram: Origin, evolution, mode of reproduction, chromosome number; Genetics. cytogenetics and genome relationship; Breeding objectives: yield, quality characters, biotic and abiotic stress resistance, etc., breeding approaches, introgression of alien gene(s) (if required), biotic and abiotic stress resistance, heterosis breeding, released varieties, examples of MAS used for improvement. Interspecific crosses attempted and its implications, reasons for failure, ways of overcoming them. Rapeseed and Mustard: Origin, evolution, mode of reproduction, chromosome number; Genetics – cytogenetics and genome relationship; Breeding objectives; yield, quality characters, biotic and abiotic stress resistance, etc., breeding approaches, introgression of alien gene(s) (if required), biotic and abiotic stress resistance, heterosis breeding, released varieties, examples of MAS used for improvement, Oil quality, Improvement for oil quality. Sunflower, Safflower: Origin, mode of reproduction, chromosome number; Genetics, cytogenetics and genome relationship; Breeding objectives: yield, quality characters, biotic and abiotic stress resistance, etc., breeding approaches, introgression of alien gene(s) (if required), biotic and abiotic stress resistance, heterosis breeding, released varieties, examples of MAS used for improvement. Mesta and minor fibre crops: Origin, mode of reproduction, chromosome number; Genetics–cytogenetics and genome relationship; Breeding objectives: yield, quality characters, biotic and abiotic stress resistance, etc., breeding approaches, introgression of alien gene(s) (if required), biotic and abiotic stress resistance, released varieties, examples of MAS used for improvement. Forage crops: Origin, evolution mode of reproduction, chromosome number; Genetics–cytogenetics and genome relationship; Breeding objectives: yield, quality characters, biotic and abiotic stress resistance, etc., breeding approaches, introgression of alien gene(s) (if required), biotic and abiotic stress resistance. Seed spices: Origin, evolution, mode of reproduction, chromosome number; Genetics– cytogenetics and genome relationship; Breeding objectives: yield, quality characters, biotic and abiotic stress resistance, etc., breeding approaches, introgression of alien gene(s) (if required), biotic and abiotic stress resistance, scope of heterosis breeding, released varieties, examples of MAS used for crop improvement.

Practical: Floral biology, emasculation and pollination techniques in wheat, oats, barley, chickpea, rajma, rapeseed mustard, sunflower; Study of range of variation for yield and yield components; Study of segregating populations in cereal, pulses and oilseed crops; Use of descriptors for cataloguing; Learning on the crosses between different species; Trait based screening for stress resistance; Learning on the Standard Evaluation System (SES) and descriptors; Use of software for database management and retrieval.

1. Breeding Vegetable Crops

Content: Breeding for Leafy vegetables: Amaranth, chenopods and lettuce. Breeding for Cucurbits: Gourds, melons, pumpkins and squashes. Breeding for Solanaceae: Potato and tomato, eggplant, hot pepper, sweet pepper. Breeding for Cole crops: Cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and knolkhol. Breeding for Root vegetables: Carrot, beetroot, radish, sweet potato and tapioca. Breeding for other vegetable crops: Peas, beans, onion, garlic and okra.

Practical: Selection of desirable plants from breeding population, observations and analysis

of various qualitative and quantitative traits in germplasm; Hybridization and handling segregating generations; Induction of flowering, palanological studies, selfing and crossing techniques in vegetable crops; Hybrid seed production of vegetable crops in bulk; Screening techniques for insect-pests, disease and environmental stress resistance in vegetable crops; Demonstration of sib-mating and mixed population; Molecular marker techniques to identify useful traits in the vegetable crops and special breeding techniques; Visit to breeding blocks, MAS for incorporating traits governed by major and polygenes.

1. Breeding Fruit Crops

Content: Fruit crop breeding: History, importance of fruit breeding, centers of diversity, distribution, domestication and adaptation of commercially important fruits. Issues in fruit crop breeding – heterozygosity, polyploidy, polyembryony, parthenocarpy and seed lessness, incompatibility and sterility systems. Apomixis - merits and demerits, types, variability for economic traits, role of genetic engineering and biotechnology in improvement of fruit crops. Crop improvement in Mango, Banana, Citrus, Grapes, Papaya, Sapota and Pomegranate, Pineapple and Guava, Apple and other Rosaceous crops andregion specific fruit crops.

Practical: Germplasm documentation; Floral biology of mango, guava, citrus, grape, pomegranate, pollen viability in major fruit crops; Pollen germination to study time of anthesis and stigma receptivity; Hybridization technique in important fruit crops, hybrid seed collection and raising; Colchicine treatment for induction of polyploidy; Exposure to resistance breeding and screening techniques; Mutation breeding practices raising and evaluation of segregating populations; Use of mutagens to induce mutations and polyploidy; Visit to Biotechnology Lab and study of in-vitro breeding techniques.

1. Breeding Ornamental Crops

Content: History of improvement of ornamental plants; Centre of origin of ornamental crop; Objectives and techniques in ornamental plant breeding. Introduction, selection, hybridization, mutation and biotechnological techniques for improvement of ornamental and flower crops, viz., Rose, Jasmine, Chrysanthemum, Tuberose, Gerbera, Gladiolus, Dahlia, Lilium, Gaillardia, Petunia, Bouganvillea, Pansy, Marigold, Geranium, Antirrhinum, China aster, Orchids, Carnation, Hibiscus, etc. Development of promising cultivars of important ornamental and flower crops; Role of Heterosis and its exploitation, production of F1 hybrids and utilization of male sterility. Production of open pollinated seeds, harvesting, processing and storage of seeds; Seed certification.

Practical: Study of floral biology and pollination in important species and cultivars of ornamental crops; Techniques of inducing polyploidy and mutation; Production of pure and hybrid seed; Methods of breeding suited to seed propagated plants; Polyploidy and mutations to evolve new varieties; Breeding methods for biotic and abiotic stresses; Visit to research institutes involved in ornamental crop breeding.

1. Breeding for Stress Resistance and Climate Change

Content: Concept and impact of climatic change; Importance of plant breeding with special reference to biotic and abiotic stress resistance; Classification of biotic stresses – major pests and diseases of economically important crops. Concepts of resistance to insect and pathogen resistance; Analysis and inheritance of resistance variation; Host defence responses to pathogen invasions- Biochemical and molecular mechanisms; Acquired and induced immunity and systemic acquired resistance (SAR); Host-pathogen interaction, gene-for-gene hypothesis, molecular evidence for its operation and exceptions; Concept of signal transduction and other host-defence mechanisms against viruses and bacteria. Types and genetic mechanisms of resistance to biotic stresses –Horizontal and vertical resistance in crop plants; Quantitative resistance/ adult plant resistance and slow rusting resistance; Classical and molecular breeding methods – Measuring plant resistance using plant fitness; Behavioural, physiological and insect gain studies; Phenotypic screening methods for major pests and diseases; Recording of observations; Correlating the observations using marker data – Gene pyramiding methods and their implications. Classification of abiotic stresses - Stress inducing factors, moisture stress/ drought and water logging and submergence; Acidity, salinity/ alkalinity/ sodicity; High/ low temperature, wind, etc.; Stress due to soil factors and mineral toxicity; Physiological and Phenological responses; Emphasis of abiotic stresses in developing breeding methodologies. Genetics of abiotic stress resistance; Genes and genomics in breeding cultivars suitable to low water regimes and water logging and submergence, high and low/ freezing temperatures; Utilizing MAS procedures for identifying resistant types in important crops like rice, sorghum, wheat, cotton, etc.; Breeding for resistance to stresses caused by toxicity, deficiency and pollutants/ contaminants in soil, water and environment. Use of crop wild relatives as a source of resistance to biotic and abiotic factors in major field crops; Transgenics in management of biotic and abiotic stresses, use of toxins, protease inhibitors, lectins, chitinases and Bt for diseases and insect pest management.

Practical: Understanding the climatological parameters and predisposal of biotic and abiotic stress factors- ways of combating them for diseases caused by fungi and bacteria; Symptoms and data recording; use of MAS procedures; Phenotypic screening techniques for sucking pests and chewing pests – Traits to be observed at plant and insect level; Phenotypic screening techniques for nematodes and borers; Ways of combating them; Evaluating the available populations like RIL, NIL, etc. for pest resistance; Use of standard MAS procedures. Breeding strategies - Weeds – ecological, environmental impacts on the crops; Breeding for herbicide resistance; Screening crops for drought and flood resistance; factors to be considered and breeding strategies; Screening varieties of major crops for acidity and alkalinity- their effects and breeding strategies; Screening forage crops for resistance to sewage water and tannery effluents; Quality parameters evaluation.

1. Germplasm Characterization and Evaluation

Content: Understanding genetic diversity in crop plants; Crop descriptors, descriptor states; germplasm characterization/ evaluation procedures; evaluation of germplasm for specific traits; Measuring diversity using agro-morphological data, statistical procedures to measure population genetic variation, markers and their use in PGR, evaluation of biotic and abiotic stresses, Principles and methods for formulating core and mini core collections and their validation, Web based tools for management of data. Principles and practices of germplasm regeneration and maintenance, breeding systems and mode of reproduction; maintaining sufficiently large populations for effective conservation of farmer landraces, evaluation and maintenance of wild relatives of crop plants. Genetic enhancement, Use of CWRs genetic resources for crop improvement. High throughput phenotyping systems- imaging and image processing concepts for automated germplasm characterization (phenotyping) – evaluation for nutritional traits, resistance traits -Biochemical and molecular markers for characterization.

Practical: Field layout and experimental designs; Recording field data on germplasm evaluation in different agri-horticultural crops, post-harvest handling; Evaluating quality traits, biochemical and phyto-chemical evaluation of crop germplasm, data processing;  Documentation, analysis of diversity and cataloguing, data analysis, viability equations, sampling strategies, data documentation, cataloguing, biochemical analyses of samples.

1. Genetic enhancement for PGR Utilization

Content: Concepts of gene pools; Introduction, potential of pre-breeding. Role of crop wild relatives, semi exotics, creating and managing variation, basic concepts to set up a successful pre-breeding programme. Understanding crop adaptation, handling and maintenance of CWRs, synchronization of flowering, overcoming impediments to flowering through photoperiodic adjustments, role of other barriers to flowering, role of amphidiploids, semi exotics and other unadapted germplasm, identifying desirable traits in natural populations, screening for biotic and abiotic stress resistance traits; screening of nutritionally important traits, genetic analysis to understand the inheritance of novel traits. Parental selection for prebreeding, search for superior genotypes, breeding methods for trait transfer; moving the genes - unadapted to adapted, wide hybridization, Incongruity and its management, modern tools for incongruity management, cytogenetical approaches for gene transfer such as alien addition and substitution, segregating populations and their management in wide crosses, purging the undesirable traits, testing and improving the adaptability of wide cross derivatives, cytological studies, florescence microscopy, embryo rescue methods, pollen physiology and storage, pollen storage methods to facilitate wide hybridization, pre- and postzygotic barriers.

Practical: Characterization of CWRs by visiting the fields; Screening methods for special traits-biotic and abiotic resistance; Screening for nutritional traits; Crossability studies in CWRs of cereals, legumes, oilseeds, vegetables. Assessment of pre and post-zygotic barriers in wide hybridization crosses; Pollen storage studies; Special requirements for growing CWRs, inducing flowering by manipulating day length, temperature, chemical spraying, etc.

Plant Sciences– Seed Science and Technology (SST) (M.Sc)

1. Seed Developmental Biology

Content: Floral biology – types of pollination, mechanisms; sporogenesis – micro and mega

sporogenesis; gametogenesis – development of male and female gametes and their structures; pollination and fertilization – mode of pollination, double fertilization, factors affecting pollination, fertilization; self-incompatibility and male sterility. Embryogenesis – development of monocot and dicot embryos – embryo plane formation – development of endosperm, cotyledons and seed coat – hard seed; apomixis – identification, classification, significance and its utilization; polyembryony – types and significance; haplontic and diplontic sterility system, causes of embryo abortion, embryo rescue technique; somatic embryogenesis. Seed development – source of assimilates – mechanism of translocation; chemical composition – synthesis and deposition of storage reserves – starch, protein, fat and secondary metabolites – hormonal regulation. Maturation drying – orthodox and recalcitrant seeds – desiccation tolerance – mechanism – structural changes during desiccation – role of LEA protein. Seed maturity indices – physiological and harvestable maturity; biotic and abiotic factors influencing seed development – development of hard seeds.

Practical: Study on floral biology of monocot; Study on floral biology of dicot plants; Study on pollen morphology of different crops; Pollen germination and viability test in major crops; Seed embryo and endosperm development in monocots; Seed embryo and cotyledon development in dicots; Anatomy and morphology of seed coat during development; Hard seed coat development; Study on external and internal structures; Seed development and maturation in agricultural crops – physical and physiological changes; Seed development and maturation in horticultural crops – physical and physiological changes; Study of biochemical changes during seed development and maturation in agricultural crops; Study of biochemical changes during seed development and maturation in horticultural crops; Study on physiological and harvestable maturity and maturity indices in different crops; Study on acquisition of seed dormancy and germination at different stages of maturity; Preparation of seed album and identification of seeds.

1. Seed Dormancy and Germination

Content: Seed dormancy – definition, concept and theories – significance – evolution; classification and mechanism of dormancy – ecological singnificance. Induction of dormancy during development – hormonal, physiological, molecular and genetic control of dormancy – maternal and paternal contribution; environmental factors influencing dormancy induction and release – seasonal influence – winter and summer annuals – secondary dormancy induction mechanism; artificial induction of dormancy and release; soil seed bank – natural release of dormancy and its mechanism; dormancy breaking – principles and methods. Seed germination – types and phases of germination; imbibition – pattern and water kinetics – events of germination – physical, physiological, biochemical changes -aerobic and anaerobic respiration quiescent. Physiological and biochemical changes Enzyme activation – mechanism – factors affecting enzyme activation – breakdown of stored materials – starch, protein and fat – energy generation – mobilization of storage reserves – changes in phenolic compounds. Molecular and genetic mechanisms Molecular and genetic control of seed germination – auto tropism; factors affecting germination – media – temperature – light – gases; in-situ and viviparous germination – causes and mechanism – pattern of seed germination – tri-phasic curve.

Practical: Seed dormancy – identification of dormancy; Estimation of ABA and GA in dormant and non-dormant seeds; Study on artificial induction of dormancy; Dormancy breaking methods – scarification and stratification; Dormancy breaking methods – hormonal and chemical treatments; Dormancy breaking methods – after ripening and leaching of inhibitors; Dormancy breaking methods – combined treatments; Assessing the period of natural release of seed dormancy; Seed germination – studying the pattern of imbibition; Studying the pattern of seed germination in different media; Study on influence of light and temperature on germination and seedling development; Estimation of hydrolytic enzyme – α amylase in different species; Estimation of hydrolytic enzyme – protease; Estimation of hydrolytic enzyme – lipase; Estimation of dehydrogenase enzyme and respiratory quotient in seeds; Estimation of food reserve composition during seed germination.

1. Seed Production Principles and Techniques in Field Crops

Content: Importance of seed – seed quality concept – factors influencing seed production; generation system of seed multiplication – classes of seed, stages of seed multiplication in varieties and hybrids – seed multiplication ratio (SMR) – seed replacement rate (SRR) – seed renewal period (SRP) – varietal replacement rate (VRR). Genetic and agronomic principles of variety and hybrid seed production; methods and techniques of seed production in varieties and hybrids of important cereals and millets – wheat, oat, rice, maize, sorghum and pearl millet; varietal seed production in small millets – finger millet, fox tail millet, little millet, kodo millet, proso millet and barnyard millet. Methods and techniques of varietal seed production in major pulses – black gram, green gram, cowpea, chickpea, horse gram, soybean and lentil – varietal and hybrid seed production in red gram. Methods and techniques of seed production in major oil seed crops – groundnut, sesame – varietal and hybrid seed production in sunflower, castor and mustard; varietal seed production in minor oilseed crops (safflower, linseed, niger) – varietal and hybrid seed production in cotton – varietal seed production in jute. Seed production planning for varieties and hybrids of major crops; participatory seed production – seed hubs, seed village concept and community seed bank.

Practical: Seed selection – quality of seed on field establishment; Sowing and nursery management techniques; Planting – age of seedling on crop establishment – rice and pearl millet; Isolation distance and border rows in hybrid seed production field – space and barrier isolation; modifying isolation based on border rows in maize; Planting design for hybrid seed production – rice, maize, pearl millet, cotton, red gram, sunflower; Practicing breeding tools for hybrid seed production – detasseling – emasculation and dusting;  Study on methods of achieving synchronization – rice, bajra, sunflower; Practicing supplementary pollination – rice and sunflower; Study on foliar nutrition and influence on seed yield; Practicing roguing operation – identification of off-types, pollen shedders, shedding tassels, partials, selfed bolls; Pre and post-harvest sanitation operations – cereals, millets and pulses; Estimation of shattering and shattering loss; study on insitu germination and loss; Visit to seed production fields; Visit to seed industry; Seed production planning and economics of seed production –  varieties; Seed production planning and economics of seed production – hybrids.

1. Seed Production Principles and Techniques in Vegetable Crops

Content: Importance and present status of vegetable seed industry – factors influencing vegetable seed production; varietal and hybrid seed production techniques in major solanaceous vegetable crops – tomato, brinjal, chilli; malvaceous vegetable crop – seed production techniques of bhendi. Varietal and hybrid seed production techniques in important cucurbitaceous vegetables – gourds and melons, cole crops – cauliflower, cabbage, knol-khol, root vegetables – carrot, beetroot, turnip, radish and other temperate/ hilly vegetable crops. Varietal seed production techniques in major leguminous vegetables – peas and beans; seed production techniques in leafy vegetables – amaranthus, palak, spinach, and lettuce. Seed production techniques in tuber crops – potato, sweet potato, colocasia, tapioca and yam, seed-plot technique in potato – true potato seed (TPS) production techniques – seed production techniques in bulb crops – onion, garlic. Vegetative and clonal multiplication – methods, merits and demerits; clonal multiplication – potato, sweet potato, colocasia, tapioca and yam.

Practical: Identification of vegetable seeds; Study on sowing and nursery management; Study on transplanting and age of seedling on crop establishment; Studying floral biology of solanceous, malvaceous and cucurbitaceous vegetable crops; Studying floral biology of other vegetable crops; Practicing planting design for hybrid seed production; Modification of sex ratio in cucurbits; Practicing emasculation and pollination methods; Practicing roguing operations – identification of off-types – selfed fruits; Harvesting methods – single and multiple harvesting method; Practicing seed extraction methods – wet methods – tomato, brinjal, other cucurbitaceous fruits; Seed extraction – dry methods – chillies, bhendi, cucurbitaceous; Visit to seed production fields; Visit to private seed industry; Planning and economics of varietal seed production; Planning and economics of hybrid seed production.

1. Seed Production Techniques in Fruits, Flowers, Spices, Plantation and Medicinal Crops

Content: Scope for seed production in fruits, flowers, spices, plantation and medicinal crops;

factors influencing seed production and quality; propagation methods – seed and clonal propagation; seed and seedling standards; propagation and seed production techniques in major tropical, sub-tropical and temperate fruit crops; seed orchards – seed collection, extraction processing and storage techniques. Seed production techniques in commercially important flower crops – nursery management, clonal propagation, planting, seed crop management, post-harvest seed handling and storage techniques. Seed production techniques in commercially important seed spices and other spices – nursery management, sowing, seed crop management and post-harvest seed handling and storage techniques. Seed production in commercially important plantation crops – mother tree selection – criteria – nursery management, elite seedling production, planting, plantation management, post-harvest handling and storage techniques. Methods of quality seed production in commercially important medicinal plants – nursery management, sowing, seed crop management, post-harvest handling and storage methods.

Practical: Study on the floral biology and pollination mechanism; Identification of seeds of fruits, flowers, spices, plantation and medicinal crops; Selection of mother plants and trees – phenotypic characters and genotypic characters; Study on different types of clonal and vegetative propagules; Seed and clonal standards of vegetatively propagating crops;  Germination improvement treatments for seeds and vegetative propagules; Study on selection of planting materials and sowing methods; Nursery management practices for elite seedling production; Seed extraction methods – wet method and dry method; Post harvest seed handling – seed grading, upgrading techniques; Study of seed storage techniques; Practicing seed germination enhancement techniques in fruits, spices and plantation crops; Practicing  seed germination enhancement techniques in flowers and medicinal crops; Planning for seed production – economics of seed production in flower crops; Visit to mother tree orchard; Visit to plantation and orchard.

1. Seed Production Techniques in Forage, Pasture and Green Manure Crops

Content: Scope and importance of seed production in forage, pasture and green manure crops – factors influencing seed production – seasonal influence; problems and constraints in seed production – seed set, shattering and seed dormancy; vegetative and clonal propagules and apomictic seed. Quality seed production techniques in major fodder crops – lucerne, hedge lucerne, leucaena, fodder sorghum, fodder maize and oats. Seed and planting material production techniques of major forage grasses – bajra -napier grass, guinea grass, deenanath grass and Cenchrus sp.; forage legumes Stylosanthus, cowpea and berseem. Seed production techniques in major green manure crops – Glyricidia, Sesbania sp., sunnhemp, daincha, jute and Tephrosia sp. Post-harvest seed handling – processing, threshing, grading and upgrading; dormancy breaking and germination improvement – quality standards for seed and vegetative propagules.

Practical: Seed collection and identification of seeds; Estimation of seed setting and shattering loss; Maturity indices – determination of physiological and harvestable maturity; Seed extraction and threshing methods; Separation of ill filled seeds – practicing different methods; Study of seed and clonal materials – standards; Quality of planting material and vegetative propagules on crop establishment; Seed quality analysis in forage and fodder crops – tiller wise quality analysis; Seed quality analysis in determinate and indeterminate crops; Study on effect of ratooning on seed quality; Practicing seed quality enhancement techniques; Practicing different seed extraction and dormancy breaking treatments; Preparation of vegetative propagules and planting; Planning for seed production in fodder and green manure crops; Economics of seed production in fodder, forage crops and green manure crops; Visit to forage and fodder seed production farms.

1. Seed Legislation and Certification

Content: Genesis of seed Industry in India; seed quality control – concept and objectives; regulatory mechanisms – Seed Act (1966) – Seed Rules (1968) – statutory bodies – Central Seed Committee – Central Seed Certification Board. Seed Control Order (1983) – New Policy on Seed Development (1988) – Exim Policy – National Seed Policy (2002) – Plant Quarantine Act. Introduction to WTO and IPR – UPOV and its role – OECD seed certification schemes – PPV & FR Act (2001) and Rules (2003) – Seed Bill (2004 and 2011): Seed certification system in SAARC countries, Europe, Canada, Australia and USA. Seed certification – history and objectives; general and specific crop standards, field and seed standards; seed certification agency – role of certification agency/ department and seed certification officers, phases of seed certification; field inspection – counting procedures – liable for rejection (LFR) – downgrading and partial rejection – reporting. Post-harvest inspection – construction of seed lot number; seed sampling – testing – labeling, sealing and grant of certificate – types and specifications for tags and labels; seed lot validity and revalidation; appellate authority, stop sale order, penalties records and registers to be maintained by seed processing units and seed dealers – verification procedures, role of seed analyst and seed inspector in quality regulation.

Practical: Preparation of sowing report – varieties – transplanted and direct sown crops and hybrids; Verification of sowing report – seed certification procedures; Field inspection – estimation of area and isolation distance, stages of inspection for varieties and hybrids – procedures; Practicing field counting procedures – methods for row planting, broadcasted – varieties; Practicing field counting procedures – direct sown and transplanted crops – varieties; Study on field counting procedures – hybrids – planting design, planting ratio and block method and double count; Identification of contaminants – genetic and physical contaminants, procedure to remove partials, pollen shedders and shedding tassels; Assessing and calculation of field standards for important crops; LFR, partial rejection and downgrading – reasons, procedures and preparation of reports; Yield estimation – single and multiple harvest crops; Post harvest inspection – groundnut, cotton, pulses; Inspection and maintenance (licence and renewal) of records in processing unit – float test, preparation of processing report and seed lot number construction; Visit to seed certification agency/ department; Visit to grow-out test field; Visit to seed retail shop – procedures followed by Seed Inspector, verification of records and reporting; Procedure to issue tag, specification, bagging, tagging, labelling and sealing.

1. Post Harvest Handling and Storage of Seeds

Content: Seed processing – objectives and principles; processing sequence – threshing, shelling, ginning, extraction methods; drying – principles and methods; seed cleaning, grading, upgrading – methods – machineries and equipment – scalper, pre-cleaner, cleaner cum grader, specific gravity separator, indented cylinder, disc separator, spiral separator, velvet separator, magnetic separator, electronic colour sorter – working principles and functions. Online seed processing – elevators and conveyers – processing plant – specifications, design and layout; mechanical injury – causes and detection – management. Seed treatment – methods – pre and mid storage seed treatments, seed treating formulations and equipments; packaging materials – types – bagging and labeling; seed blending – principle and methods. Seed storage – purpose and importance – factors affecting storage, optimum condition for storage of different seeds; storage principles – Harrington’s thumb rule – concepts and significance of moisture equilibrium – maintenance of safe seed moisture – physical, physiological, biochemical and molecular changes during seed storage – storage behaviour of orthodox and recalcitrant seeds – prediction of viability – viability nomograph. Methods of seed storage – modified atmospheric storage – ultra dry storage – vacuum storage – cryopreservation – germplasm storage – gene banks – NBPGR, IPGRI and National seed storage laboratory; seed storage godown – structure – maintenance – sanitation.

Practical: Seed extraction – wet and dry methods; Seed processing sequence for different crops; Design of processing plant – equipments – estimation of processing efficiency; Seed drying methods – principle and methods; Practicing seed grading – upgrading techniques; Delinting methods – assessment of mechanical damage; Visit to seed processing unit; Seed packaging – effect of packaging materials on seed longevity; Prediction of viability during storage – viability nomograph and accelerated ageing test; Assessing physical changes during seed storage; Assessing physiological changes during seed storage; Assessing biochemical changes during seed storage; Storage behaviour of recalcitrant seeds; Pre-storage seed treatments – protectants – antioxidants – halogens; Practicing seed blending methods; Seed storage godown – sanitation, fumigation – visit to seed storage godown and cold storage unit.

1. Seed Quality Testing and Enhancement

Content: Seed testing – history and development; seed testing in India; ISTA and its role in seed testing; seed lot and size, types of seed and size, samples – sampling – intensity and methods, sampling devices, receipt and registration of submitted samples in the laboratory and sub sampling; purity analysis – components and procedure – determination of other distinguishable varieties (ODV) and test weight determination – application of heterogeneity test – method of testing coated and pelleted seeds; seed moisture estimation – principles and methods, application of tolerances. Seed germination test – requirements, media and methods – seedling evaluation, tolerance and reporting results; viability test (TZ test) – principle, procedure and evaluation; vigour tests – concept of seed vigour and vigour test – types of vigour tests – direct and indirect tests – physical, physiological and biochemical tests – principles and methods; seed health test – principles and methods. Genetic purity assessment – laboratory methods – physical, chemical, biochemical and molecular tests – growth chamber and field testing (Grow Out Test) methods; testing of GM seeds; storage of guard sample – referral test; application of tolerance in seed testing; advanced non destructive techniques of seed quality analysis – soft x-ray imaging – hyper spectral imaging, thermal imaging – spectroscopy – e-nose and machine vision techniques. Seed quality enhancement techniques – history and development; classification – physical, physiological and protective seed treatments – special seed treatments; physical seed treatment – liquid floatation, specific gravity separation, irradiation, electric and electro-magnetic seed treatments – principles and methods – seed pelleting and coating principles, purpose and methods. Physiological seed enhancement treatments – seed infusion, seed priming – principles and methods – physiological, biochemical and molecular mechanisms; pre-germination and fluid drilling techniques; biological seed treatments – microbial inoculation; organic seed treatment – integrated seed treatment – concept and methods of designer seed.

Practical: Seed testing – sampling and dividing methods; Determination of seed test weight and heterogeneity test; Physical purity analysis – components, procedure, reporting results; Seed moisture estimation – methods and equipments; Conduct of seed germination test and seedling evaluation; Conduct of quick viability (tetrazolium) test and evaluation; Conduct of vigour tests – direct, indirect test and special tests; Genetic purity assessment – laboratory and conventional methods – image analysis for seed quality; Conducting different seed health tests to identify bacteria, fungi and insects; Visit to seed testing laboratory; Seed enhancement techniques – practicing physical treatments and water floatation techniques; Seed coating and pelleting – uses of adhesives and filler materials; Performing seed priming – hydro, halo and bio-priming – solid matrix priming; Practicing seed infusion and microbial inoculation treatments; Practicing pre-germination technique; Studying integrated seed treatment/ designer seed treatment.

1. Seed Technology of Tree Species

Content: Importance of tree seeds – seed quality in plantation establishment – scope of seed production in tree species; seed structure and its significance in natural regeneration of forest species. Reproductive biology – angiosperms and gymnosperms – reproductive age – seasonal influence on flowering – reproductive efficiency; factors influencing seed set – pollination – pollinating agents – self incompatibility – seed dispersal – mode and mechanism of dispersal. Seed stand – selection and delineation – seed production area – seed zone – selection criteria for candidate, plus and elite tree; seed orchards – definition – types – seedling and clonal seed orchard – pollen dilution zone – seed orchard establishment and management; OECD certification programmes for forest reproductive materials and seeds – ISTA certification standards for tree species. Physiological maturity – maturity indices – determining optimum harvestable maturity; seed collection – methods – factors influencing seed collection – precautions in collection of recalcitrant seeds; seed extraction – methods – wet, dry and cone extraction; drying – critical moisture content – seed processing; dormancy – types of dormancy in tropical, sub tropical and temperate tree seeds – dormancy breaking treatments; recalcitrant seeds – mechanism. Seed production and handling techniques in important tree borne oil seeds (Madhuca, Pongamia, Azadirachta, Simaruba, Callophyllum), timber (teak, sandal, pine, cedar, red sanders, shisham), fuel wood (Acacias), pulp wood (Bambusa, Ailanthus, Casuarina, Melia, Eucalyptus), fodder (Leucaena, Albizzia) and ornamental (Cassia, Delonix) tree species.

Practical: Study of tree seed structure – internal and external structures; Study on phenology of different tree species; Selection procedure of candidate and plus trees; Assessment of seed set, physiological and harvestable maturity; Assessing natural regeneration in different tree species; Study on seed dispersal methods and dispersal distance in different species; Seed collection techniques in important tree species – seed collection – orthodox and recalcitrant seeds – safety measures during collection; Seed extraction methods – wet and dry extractions – fruits, pods, cones, etc.; Study on different seed drying methods and precautions; Practicing seed grading and upgrading techniques; Practicing seed dormancy breaking methods; Germination improvement treatments for elite seedling production; Study on storage of recalcitrant seed; Estimation of critical moisture content for safe storage; Visit to seed production area and seed orchard; Visit to tree seed processing unit.

1. Seed Industry and Marketing Management

Content: Introduction to seed industry – genesis, growth and structure of seed industry – mission and objectives – present status of Indian and global seed industry – role of seed industry in Indian agriculture; government initiatives – seed hubs, seed villages and community seed production system. Seed industry – organization set up and functions – public, private, MNC’s, seed corporations; structure of small, medium and large seed industries, components of seed industry – public private partnership – custom seed production – risk management – human resource – infrastructure – processing unit – storage go down. Seed production and distribution systems in state and central government; seed supply chain systems – seed production and distribution – planning, organization and coordination, staffing, assembling of resources; cost of seed production – overhead charges.

Seed marketing – definition – importance – role of marketing; type of markets – domestic and global market – problems and perspectives; marketing policies – seed marketing schemes – marketing channels, responsibilities of dealers – marketing mix. Seed demand forecasting – purpose – methods and techniques; indenting and seed dispatch procedures and forms – seed store records – maintenance – missing link in seed supply chain; market intelligence – SWOT analysis; seed cost analysis; seed pricing – policy – components of seed pricing – factors – local market rate (LMR) – fixation of procurement and sale price of seed.

Practical: Data collection on status of Indian and global seed industry; Assessing the factors influencing farmers preference and assessment of seed demand and supply; Planning for establishment of small, medium and large seed industry; Planning for establishment of seed production and processing unit; Economics of seed production – varieties and hybrids; Seed pricings and cost analysis; Exercise on fixing seed procurement and sale price; Study of marketing channels – domestic and international; Maintenance of carryover seeds – Assessing risk factors in seed industry and their management; Survey and interaction with seed dealers and distributors; Visit to state seed corporations; Visit to MNCs and expert discussion; Case studies and SWOT analysis; Visit to modern seed processing unit and advanced seed storage complex; Custom seed production, contract farming and procurement – procedures; Planning and preparation of project proposal for setup of a seed industry; Final practical examination.

1. Seed Health Testing and Management

Content: History and economic importance of seed health in seed industry and plant quarantine – important seed borne and seed transmitted pathogens – role of microorganisms in seed quality deterioration – storage and field fungi – effect of storage fungi on seeds – factors influencing storage fungi and management. Transmission of pathogens – mode and mechanism – seed certification standards; mycotoxins – types and its impact on plant, animal and human health; seed health testing methods – direct examination, incubation, serological and molecular methods. Production of disease free seeds in agricultural and horticultural crops; management of seed borne pathogens – plant quarantine – Indian system and networking, post entry quarantine and international systems – Pest Risk Analysis (PRA); Sanitary and Phytosanitary System (SPS) – certificates; International Seed Health Initiative (ISHI) on seed health standards. Storage pests – insects, mites, rodents and their development – economic importance; insect infestation – factors influencing, sources and kinds, biochemical changes in stored seeds due to insect infestation; detection methods and estimation of storage losses; types of seed storage structures – domestic and commercial. Fumigation – principles and techniques – type of fumigants; preservatives and seed protectants on seed quality – non-chemical methods for managing seed storage pests – controlled and modified atmospheric storage – trapping devices – IPM for seed storage. Practical: Detection of seed borne pathogens – direct examination; Detection of seed borne pathogens – incubation methods; Detection of seed borne pathogens – serological methods; Detection of seed borne pathogens – molecular methods; Study on seed transmission of seed borne fungi, bacteria and viruses; Identification of storage fungi; Management of seed borne pathogens – seed treatment methods; Identification of storage insects – internal and external feeders influencing insects; Study on the effect of pre harvest spray on field carryover storage pests; Estimation of storage losses due to pests; Methods of detection of insect infestation; Management of storage pests – pesticides, dose determination, preparation of solution and application; Management of storage pests – non-chemical management methods; Demonstration of controlled atmospheric storage; Safe handling and use of fumigants and insecticides; Visit to seed storage godowns.

Plant Sciences– Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) (M.Sc.)

1. Germplasm Exploration and Plant Systematics

Content: History of germplasm exploration, distribution and extent of prevalent genetic diversity; phyto-geographical regions/ ecological zones and associated diversity; Geo-Spatial analysis using GIS (Geographical Information System) tools for mapping eco-geographic distribution of diversity, threatened habitats, remote sensing, use of drones, need for collection missions, Planning and execution, Use of floras, Concept of population and gene pool; gene pool sampling in self- and cross-pollinated and vegetatively propagated species, non-selective, random and selective sampling strategies, coarse and fine grid surveys, planning collection and analyses of eco geographic data, assessing the threats of genetic erosion. Ethnobotanical aspects of PGR, crop botany, farming systems, collecting wild relatives of crop plants; Post-exploration handling of germplasm collections, preservation of specimens, importance and use of herbaria and preparation of herbarium specimens. Crop Systematics, nomenclature; International code for binomial nomenclature, systems of classification; concept of species and taxa, biosystematics and terminologies for plant description, Classical and modern species concepts, differentiation and evolution of species: speciation, variation within species, phenotypic plasticity. Taxonomy of higher/ cultivated plants: use of taxonomic literature such as floras, manuals, monographs, indices, catalogues and dictionaries, concept and methods of herbarium and field study, criteria used for classification, identification of plants of economically important families, floristic and monographic works, Modern trends in plant taxonomy – Chemotaxonomy, Numerical taxonomy and Cytotaxonomy; Cronquist system – Angiosperm Phylogeny (AGP) Group classification; molecular systematics – Primary and Secondary metabolites – Semantides; global taxonomic initiatives- barcoding, taxonomic databases.

Practical: Plant exploration and germplasm collecting, documenting passport data, use of flora and maps, collecting vegetatively propagated species; Local field visit for recording of ethnobotanical information/ notes, herbarium collection, report writing on germplasm collecting missions;  Post exploration handling; Collecting wild relatives of crop plants’; Preparation, maintenance and use of herbarium, Ecogeographical surveys and inventory, Use of GIS in biodiversity mapping and collecting; Estimation of genetic diversity in traditional agroecosystems on farm, matrix ranking of farmer selection criteria; Classical and modern species concepts and biosystematics, Morphology and anatomy; Comparative studies on phytochemistry, Chemotaxonomy; Floristic and monographic work; Practical methods for elucidating and proving hypotheses relating to plant speciation, Numerical taxonomy-practice and procedures, Infraspecific categories in relation to population biology, Taxonomic databases and documentation methods in relation to PGR, Taxonomy of crop plants, cultivated species, domesticated species, wild-cultivated continuum, problems and their resolution, newer methods of analysis and interpretation; Visit to Biosphere reserves/ renovated degraded ecosystems and Farmer’s fields for landraces, visit to NBAGR/ NBPGR Regional stations.

1. Plant Diversity and Conservation

Content: Biodiversity an overview: genetic, species and ecosystem diversity, higher plant diversity, species richness and endemism, biospheres, Gene centres, importance of Indian gene centre. Origin and history of agriculture, conservation and agricultural development, the central role of agro-biodiversity: trends and challenges, centers of crop plant origin and diversity, dynamics of domestication, plant domestication and evolution of crop plants, Crop Wild Relatives, patterns of variation, classification of cultivated plants, concept of gene pool, geographical distribution of crops of Indian origin. Status and trends of agrobiodiversity; Global challenges and conservation of agrobiodiversity- in-situ, ex-situ, Impact of climate change on agrobiodiversity, Managing plant genetic resources: Basic science issues; Institutional aspects of managing agrobiodiversity, PGR networks. Agrobiodiversity and livelihoods: Food and nutrition systems, Traditional knowledge, TKDL, Farmers’ seed systems and participatory breeding, Valuing PGR and ecosystem services; Value chains of neglected and underutilized (potential crop) species, community biodiversity management.

IPR for innovative entrepreneurship International framework and PGR networks; International treaties and policies in relation to agro-biodiversity conservation, sustainable use and germplasm exchange, CBD, UPOV, ITPGRFA, Nagoya protocol, National policies and legal frame work, Biodiversity Act, PPV and FR Act, Global Plan of action, germplasm registration, IP issues with respect to ITKs and communities, safe guarding biodiversity, case studies, digital sequence information vs tangible genetic resources, recent advances in biotechnology and synthetic biology, new forms of life and threats to biodiversity. In situ and ex situ conservation: concept of biosphere reserves, gene sanctuaries, on-farm conservation, seed genebanks, Perma-frost conservation, field genebanks, botanical gardens, herbal gardens, in vitro repositories and cryo-genebanks; short-, medium- and long-term conservation, concept of base, active and working collections. Importance of seed gene banks; seed structure and function; seed storage behavior, physiological and genetic changes during storage, theories of ageing, viability equations, dormancy. Genebank standards for various crops, ISTA, AOSA, Bioversity International guidelines; monitoring viability of stored samples; strategies for revival and rescue of rare genetic material. Multiplication and regeneration of stored germplasm, Principles and practices of germplasm regeneration and maintenance, breeding systems and mode of reproduction; maintaining sufficiently large

populations for effective conservation of farmer landraces. History and principles of plant tissue culture, Laboratory requirement and general techniques, Tissue culture media, Cellular totipotency, Clonal propagation and clonal multiplication, Somatic embryogenesis, Somaclonal variation, Meristem culture and virus elimination, Cell culture, Anther and pollen culture, Genetic engineering, In vitro collecting of plant germplasm, in vitro techniques in germplasm exchange, In vitro conservation strategies, Concept of in vitro active, base genebank and DNA genebank, Introduction to plant cryopreservation, Cryopreservation techniques, Cryopreservation of vegetative propagules and in vitro explants, Genetic stability.

Complementary strategies for conservation, scientific basis of In situ on-farm conservation; social and cultural context, economic analysis in on-farm conservation, factors influencing farmer variety choice, the value of local crop diversity to markets and to farmers, Community seed genebanks, Institutional frameworks for the implementation of on-farm conservation.

Practical: Legal issues and FAO code of conduct; Seed structure and morphology; Seed germination and seedling evaluation; Seed viability test, seed sampling and purity analysis, seed dormancy and dormancy breaking treatments, moisture testing methods; Vigour testing methods and seed leachate analysis, accelerated aging of seeds and their assessment, seed processing and storage in Gene Bank; Preparation of stock solutions, media preparation, preparation of explants and culture initiation in monocots and dicots; Meristem isolation and culture establishment, subculture of shoots in monocots and dicots, hardening and field establishment of plantlets; Preparation of cryoprotectant solutions and regrowth media, isolation of in vitro explants and pre-treatment, cryopreservation of in vitro cultures-  vitrification based techniques, Encapsulation-dehydration technique, etc.

1. Germplasm Characterization and Evaluation

Content: Understanding genetic diversity in crop plants; Crop descriptors, descriptor states; germplasm characterization/ evaluation procedures; evaluation of germplasm for specific traits; Measuring diversity using agro-morphological data, statistical procedures to measure population genetic variation, markers and their use in PGR, evaluation of biotic and abiotic stresses, Principles and methods for formulating core and mini core collections and their validation, Web based tools for management of data. Principles and practices of germplasm regeneration and maintenance, breeding systems and mode of reproduction; maintaining sufficiently large populations for effective conservation of farmer landraces, evaluation and maintenance of wild relatives of crop plants. Genetic enhancement, Use of CWRs genetic resources for crop improvement. High throughput phenotyping systems- imaging and image processing concepts for automated germplasm characterization (phenotyping) – evaluation for nutritional traits, resistance traits -Biochemical and molecular markers for characterization.

Practical: Field layout and experimental designs; Recording field data on germplasm evaluation in different agri-horticultural crops; Post harvest handling; Evaluating quality traits, biochemical and phyto-chemical evaluation of crop germplasm, data processing; Documentation, analysis of diversity and cataloguing, data analysis, viability equations, sampling strategies, data documentation, cataloguing, biochemical analyses of samples.

1. Genetic enhancement for PGR Utilization

Content: Concepts of gene pools; Introduction, potential of pre-breeding. Role of crop wild relatives, semi exotics, creating and managing variation, basic concepts to set up a successful pre-breeding programme. Understanding crop adaptation, handling and maintenance of CWRs, synchronization of flowering, overcoming impediments to flowering through photoperiodic adjustments, role of other barriers to flowering, role of amphidiploids, semi exotics and other unadapted germplasm, identifying desirable traits in natural populations, screening for biotic and abiotic stress resistance traits; screening of nutritionally important traits, genetic analysis to understand the inheritance of novel traits. Parental selection for prebreeding, search for superior genotypes, breeding methods for trait transfer; moving the genes – unadapted to adapted, wide hybridization, Incongruity and its management, modern tools for incongruity management, cytogenetical approaches for gene transfer such as alien addition and substitution, segregating populations and their management in wide crosses, purging the undesirable traits, testing and improving the adaptability of wide cross derivatives, cytological studies, florescence microscopy, embryo rescue methods, pollen physiology and storage, pollen storage methods to facilitate wide hybridization, pre- and postzygotic barriers.

Practical: Characterization of CWRs by visiting the fields; Screening methods for special traits-biotic and abiotic resistance; Screening for nutritional traits; Crossability studies in CWRs of cereals, legumes, oilseeds, vegetables. Assessment of pre and post-zygotic barriers in wide hybridization crosses; Pollen storage studies; Special requirements for growing CWRs, inducing flowering by manipulating day length, temperature, chemical spraying, etc.

1. Economic Botany

Content: Introduction to economic botany, Origin of agriculture, domestication and adaptations of cultivated plants, classification into crop groups, reproductive systems and breeding behaviour of crop plants. Origin, evolution, botany, cultivation, use, genetic resource management and utilization of important crops, viz., cereals, pseudo-cereals, millets, legumes, forage and fodder crops, oil yielding plants, fibre yielding plants, under-utilized and underexploited plants, new and potential crops, processing and use of crop residues. Important taxa in horticulture, floriculture and agro-forestry. Origin, evolution, botany, cultivation, use, genetic resource management and utilization of genetic diversity of important crops, viz., vegetable crops, fruits and nuts, medicinal and aromatic plants, spices and condiments, beverages, fumitory and masticatory plants, rubber yielding plants, wood and timber yielding taxa, cellulose, starch and sugar yielding plants, insecticidal and herbicidal plants, important taxa in agro-forestry, flavouring agents, gums and resins.

Practical: Botanical microtechniques for the study of structure, development and biochemical status of plant parts; Identification of economically important plant parts in different groups of plant soil yielding plants, cereals, millets, legumes, spices, condiments, woods, timber and industrial crops, medicinal and aromatic plants and fumitory, masticatory plants;  Structure of economic plant parts-root, stem, leaves, fruits, seeds, recognizing the grains; Case studies on adaptations during domestication; Histochemical localization of chemical constituents in economically important plant parts e.g. starch-sugars, Proteins-lipids; and studies on sugar, starch, cellulose, fibers, gums, rubber and resins; Visit to Museum of economic products in other Institutes, visit to industrial units processing the economic products.

1. Information Management in PGR

Content: Documentation of germplasm collections, principles of documentation of information in genebanks, concept of data base creation and management; Relational Database Management Systems; Web based PGR networks. Statistical techniques in management of germplasm, developing core collection, estimating sample size during plant explorations, impact of sampling on population structure. Sequential sampling for viability estimation, introduction of binomial, normal and negative cumulative normal, use of Probit scales, viability equations and nomograms, estimation of sample size for storage and viability testing. Germplasm documentation; basics of computer and operating systems, database management system- PGR Portal, Cryodatabase, In vitro genebank database, use of statistical softwares, pictorial and graphical representation of data; Introduction to communication network. Introduction to database management and DBMS, Introduction to Perl and Bioperl.

Collection and storage of sequences, NCBI- providing access to biomedical and genomic information.

Practical: Experimental designs and data analysis; Viability equations, sampling strategies, data documentation; Cataloguing; PGR portal, Cryodatabase management; Writing programmes in Perl for bioinformatics applications.

1. PGR Exchange and Quarantin

Content: History, principles, objectives and importance of plant introduction, pre-requisite and conventions for exchange of PGR, national and international legislations and policies. Principles, objectives and relevance of plant quarantine, regulations and plant quarantine set up in India, pest risk analysis, pest and pathogen information database; quarantine in relation to integrated pest management, symptoms of pest damage, economic significance of seed-borne pests (insects, mites, nematodes, fungi, bacteria, viruses, phytoplasma, viroids, weeds, etc.), detection and identification of pests including use of recent techniques like ELISA, PCR, etc. Salvaging techniques for infested/ infected germplasm, post-entry quarantine operation, seed treatment and other prophylactic treatments and facilities, domestic quarantine; seed certification; international linkages in plant quarantine, weaknesses and future thrust. Symptoms of pest damage, pests of quarantine significance for India, sampling of bulk material for quarantine, Plant Quarantine/ biosecurity system in other countries, case histories of alien invasive species. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) or Genetically Engineered Plants (GEPs), Concepts of biosafety, risk analysis and consequences of spread of GE crops on the environment; Treaties and multilateral agreements governing trans-boundary movement of GEPs or GMOs, Indian regulatory system for biosafety.

Practical: Inventory of IQ/ EQ samples; Joint inspection for pest detection; Detection of pests of quarantine significance (Conventional, Electron microscopy, ELISA and molecular techniques); Primer designing; Pest risk analyses, quarantine in relation to integrated pest management; salvaging of infested/ infected germplasm; Seed treatment and other prophylactic treatments and facilities; domestic quarantine; seed-health certification.

1. Genomics in PGR management

Content: Structure and function of DNA, genome organization, tools and techniques for genetic manipulation, Introduction to genetic markers, classification and comparison of markers, basis for DNA polymorphism and principles of generating molecular markers- RFLP, PCR, sequencing, next generation sequencing techniques, molecular marker techniques eg. RAPD, ISSR, AFLP, etc.; STMS, SNPs markers, GBS, GWAS, data handling and statistical analysis. Overview of molecular marker applications and recent advances, genetic diversity analysis using molecular markers, DNA Fingerprinting and cultivar identification. Introduction to transgenics, development of genetically modified crops, monitoring strategies and methods for detecting transgenics, Genome Editing.

Practical: DNA isolation and purification, DNA quantification; RAPD, ISSR, STMS, SCAR, SRAP; Data Analysis.

1. Plant Biosecurity

Content: History of biosecurity, concept of biosecurity, components of biosecurity, Quarantine, Invasive Alien Species, biowarfare, emerging/ resurgence of insects, pests and diseases. National Regulatory Mechanism and International Agreements/ Conventions, viz., Agreement on Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures/ World Trade Organization (WTO), Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures, pest risk analysis, risk assessment models, pest information system, early warning and forecasting system, use of Global Positioning System (GPS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) for plant biosecurity, pest/ disease and epidemic management, strategies for combating risks and costs associated with agroterrorism event, mitigation planning, integrated approach for biosecurity. Biosafety, policies and regulatory mechanism, Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and its implications, Issues related to release of genetically modified crops.

1. Principles of Genetics for PGR Management

Content:  History and role of genetics in crop improvement, polyploidy, mutation, genetic diversity in PGR, genetic principles of diversity and its distribution, evolution of crop plants through ploidy manipulation. Cytology-euploidy, haploid, diploid, polyploids, chimeras, role of polyploids in crop breeding, evolutionary advantages of autopolyploids vs allopolyploids, Role of aneuploids in basic and applied aspects of crop breeding, apomixis, haploids and their uses, modes of reproduction, male sterility, CMS, heterosis and hybrid development. Methods of studying polymorphism, Overview of molecular marker applications and recent advances, genetics of mitochondria and chloroplast, extra chromosomal inheritance, eugenics, epigenetics, basics of genome structure and organization, generation of molecular markers-RFLP, PCR, sequencing; principles, merits and demerits of RAPD, ISSR, SSR, SCAR, SCOT, SRAP, AFLP, SNP. Population-Mendelian Population, random mating population, frequencies of genes and genotypes, causes of change, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

1. Principles of Plant Breeding for PGR Management

Content: Objectives of plant breeding, genetic basis of breeding self- and cross – pollinated crops, nature of variability, components of variation, genotype-environment interaction, general and specific combining ability, self-incompatibility and male sterility in crop plants and their commercial exploitation. Principles of breeding for biotic and abiotic stresses, Breeding self pollinated and cross pollinated crops, pure line theory; pure line selection and mass selection methods, line breeding, pedigree, bulk, backcross, single seed descent and multiline method. Breeding methods in asexually/ clonally propagated crops, clonal selection. Concept of plant ideotype and its role in crop improvement. Participatory Plant Breeding, Plant breeders’ rights and regulations for plant variety protection and farmers rights, DUS testing. Molecular breeding-molecular markers, fundamental concepts in the development of molecular markers, types (isozymes, RFLP, RAPD AFLP), mapping populations (RILs, NILs, DH, Backross), their merits and demerits, markers assisted selection, linkage disequilibrium and the concept of marker-trait association-case studies, marker assisted pre-breeding programmes.

Practical: Floral biology in self and cross pollinated species, selfing and crossing techniques; Selection methods in segregating populations and evaluation of breeding material. Analysis of variance (ANOVA); Estimation of heritability and genetic advance, maintenance of experimental records; Learning techniques in hybrid seed production using male-sterility in field crops.

1. Concepts in Conservation Genetics

Content: Genetic material, cell division, chromosomes, nucleic acids, biological significance of DNA, Mendelian principles I and II, calculation of genetic ratios, Chi-Square method, dominance, Gene Interaction, multiple alleles, sex determination, extranuclear inheritance, quantitative inheritance, linkage and recombination, genetic map, environmental effects – external and internal, phenocopies, concordance, discordance, epigenetics, environmental epigenetics, DNA methylation, histone modification, gene environment vs epigene environment, epigenetic inheritance. Modern Synthesis Theory – Endangered and extinct species – causes of extinctions – Structure and content of conservation genetics – genetics and extinctions – Genetic versus demographic and environmental factors in conservation biology – Limitations of Genetics in Conservation Biology. Hardy Weinberg Principle, proportions – deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, Inbreeding – Assortative and dissassortive mating, extensions of Hardy –Weinberg equilibrium, evolutions in large population, natural selection and adaptation, directional, stabilizing and disruptive selection, mutation, migration and their interaction, evolution in small population, genetic drift, inbreeding, inbreeding depression, outbreeding, outbreeding depression, population fragmentation, gene flow. Genetically viable populations, reproductive fitness, population viability analysis, recovery of endangered species/ threatened population, legal issues related to endangered species and their protection, minimum viable population, recovery of endangered species, legal issues related to endangered species and their protection.

Practical: Deriving Hardy Weinberg equilibrium, problems on Hardy Weinberg equilibrium, calculation of gene frequencies, autosomal loci with two alleles, estimation of gene frequencies, autosomal loci with multiple alleles, estimation of gene frequencies; Sex linked loci, estimation of inbreeding co-efficient – problems in epigenetics, genetic variability of threatened populations, hybridization and introgression analysis; Plant forensics, storage of plant genetic samples for time-series analyses.