The main research area of Genetics and Plant Breeding group is genetic improvement of crop plants. The focus is mainly on Wheat, Soybean, and Grapes. This activity is taken up as a part of the All India Coordinated Research Projects of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
Four durum wheat varieties, viz. MACS-9, MACS - 1967 MACS-2694, and MACS-2846 were released and notified. The former two varieties are suitable for rainfed cultivation, while the latter two are meant for timely sown, irrigated conditions in Peninsular Zone. One bread wheat variety, MACS- 2496 was also released and notified for timely sown irrigated conditions in Peninsular Zone. This variety is a selection from "SERI" originally developed at CIMMYT and carries B/IR translocation. It has retained its yield advantage for the last 10 years. In demonstrations carried out in farmers' fields, this variety recorded 40-50 q/ha yield. Near-isogenic lines of a tall wheat variety NI-5439 carrying Rht 1 and Rht 2 dwarfing genes have been developed. Full set of trisomic and few ditelosomic lines have been developed in the durum wheat variety MACS-9. Evaluation of genetic diversity in Indian durum wheats was done using DNA markers like RAPD and ISSR, and gluten protein profiles. The distinctness of Indian durum wheats was evident from the allelic frequencies of glutenin and gliadin subunits. A RAPD/SCAR marker was identified for Lr28 gene for leaf rust resistance, which can be used for gene pyramiding.
In soybean improvement programme six soybean varieties have been developed and recommended by the Central Varietal Release Committee for Central and Southern Zones of India. These varieties are : Monetta, MACS-13, MACS-57, MACS-58, MACS-124 and MACS-450. MACS-57 is the first variety in the country recommended for summer as well as for kharif season. Due to these varieties, the soybean area in Maharashtra increased nearly by 10 fold in the last 10 years from 1.27 lakh ha in 1989 to 11.64 lakh hectares in 1999. Out of these 70% area is under MACS varieties. Screening of soybean germplasm resulted in identification of 35 germplasm lines with more than 21% oil content. Package of practices for maximizing productivity have been developed. Frontline demonstrations on the farmers' fields showed an average increase of 35% with a cost benefit ratio of 1:2.4. More than 3500 quintals of breeder seed was produced during the last 5 years. On All India basis, 24% breeder seed produced was of MACS varieties which shows their popularity among the farmers.
In grape improvement programme, Digraset variety was confirmed as tolerant to salt and drought. 150 F1 hybrids and 29 mutants were evaluated for fruit quality and disease resistance. Out of these, 7 hybrids mutants were found to be promising as table varieties and five for juice/wine purpose. Likewise, inter-specific hybrids appeared to be promising for tolerance to salt and drought. Eight biotypes of grape germplasm have been observed to be resistant to rust. Anab-e-shahi variety seedless mutant was developed for cultivation.