Genomics-assisted breeding comes of age in pulses in India!

Abstract

Rajeev K Varshney specialises in genomics, genetics, molecular breeding and capacity building in developing countries. He is engaged in discovering, developing and delivering innovative R&D solutions to problems global agriculture. Dr. Varshney is currently serving as Research Program Director - Genetic Gains; and Director, Center of Excellence in Genomics & Systems Biology at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), a global agricultural research institute. He holds Adjunct/ Honorary/Visiting Professor positions at 10 academic institutions in Australia, China, Ghana, Hong Kong and India. Dr. Varshney, in his research career spanning for >20 years, has made significant contributions to improving food security in Asia and Africa by creating genomic resources of major “orphan” tropical crops. He has developed and deployed DNA marker technology for identification of useful genetic variation in them. Along with his colleagues and he has used these resources and technologies to identify genetic loci/candidate genes for drought and pest tolerances in key staple crops for sub-Saharan Africa and India. He has led and contributed to major international programs that are creating and delivering superior crop varieties to some of the world’s poorest farmers.