Sustaining Chickpea growth in India: Breederís Perspective

Author Biography

• GP Dixit, AICRP - Chickpea, ICAR - Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur - 208024

  An eminent pulse scientist actively involved for about 30 years in pulses research, Dr. GP Dixit has developed 20 high yielding varieties in different pulse crops that are very popular amongst farmers, with green seeded fieldpea (IPFD 10-12) and lodging resistant (Aman) fieldpea to name a few. The share of fieldpea varieties developed by him is about 68% in the National seed chain. Dr. Dixit is leading the National chickpea programme as Project Coordinator since 2015 with a focus on integrated breeding approaches for accelerated development of chickpea with high yield potential, improved tolerance to stress, market-preferred grain traits, suitability to machine harvesting and strengthening of breeding management system for modernization of breeding programs. As a result, 55 superior chickpea varieties have been released over the past few years. Strengthening of Breeder seed production resulted in a steady improvement in variety replacement rate (81%) and seed replacement rate (30%) of chickpea over the years. These concerted efforts have brought a greater stability in chickpea in the country with a record production (12.61 million ton) during 2020-21. Besides handling several R & D projects sponsored by BMGF, NICRA, SAARC, CRP, NFSM, DAC and ICRISAT, he has published 85 NAAS rated research articles, 11 books/monographs, 30 book chapters, 26 popular articles and 12 bulletins. He has been the secretary of ISPRD during 2013-16 and editor and reviewer of several research journals. He was conferred with ISPRD Recognition Award (2020), Outstanding Scientist Award (ICAR-IIPR, 2014), Recognition award (PPV&FRA, 2016), Recognition of Outstanding performance (ICRISAT, 2019) and Outstanding Research team award (AICRP on MULLaRP, 2007).