Dr. Gajraj Singh Dahiya

Head of the Department

Mailing Address

Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar- 125 004 (India)

Phone No : 01662255403

Email Id :gpbhau@hau.ac.in

The Department of Plant Breeding which Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University inherited from its predecessor Punjab Agricultural University in 1963 is now the biggest department in terms of infrastructure, manpower and annual budget. The Department has played an active and decisive role in shaping green revolution and transforming the economy of the Haryana State. The concerted efforts made by plant breeders and allied scientists resulted into the development of promising varieties for different agro-climatic conditions of the State. Consequently, the varieties/technologies developed by this department became a key factor in the progress of agriculture in the State. The varietal development programme at Hisar centre is well supported by the out-reach research stations located at Rohtak, Karnal, Bawal, Sirsa and Ambala. The research stations at Uchani, Karnal for sugarcane & maize and Kaul, Kaithal for rice played exclusive role in this endeavour. 

The adoption of the crop varieties by the farmers has become quite visible as the State has not only realized self-sufficiency in food grain requirements, but is also the 2^nd largest contributor to the central food reserves.  The department has released/identified 229 varieties of different crops and developed location specific production and protection technologies of these crop varieties.  Out of which, 117 were released at National and 112 at State level.  Use of these varieties coupled with improved agro-techniques greatly contributed to more food grain production. As per 2nd Advance Estimates of Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Government of India the estimated food grains production during 2016-17 is 271.98 million tonnes. The Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding has undertaken the responsibility of teaching, research and extension education activities in the field of crop improvement for entire State of Haryana. 

 The main thrust is on the research activities for developing high yielding and nutrient rich varieties of different crops in the background of resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses. Therefore, yield and quality improvement with improved resistance for different agro climatic conditions is a major challenge as well as major objective of plant breeders. Besides these, breeding for quality and nutritional value (high Fe and Zn) in various crops have been recently strengthened in wake of export potential vis-à-vis market needs.   Notably among them are low erucic acid and glucosinolates in Brassicas, high protein content in bread wheat, high aroma and low amylose in rice, increased shelf life in pearl millet flour, low anti-nutritional factors in pulses and forages, higher content of important secondary metabolites in medicinal and underutilized plants etc. are the frontier areas of research and the Department got significant achievements in these areas. The then Department of Genetics, College of Basic Sciences & Humanities has been merged with the Department of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture w.e.f. 01.04.2010 and the Department of Plant Breeding has been renamed as Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding w.e.f. 01.04.2010.  The Department at present has eight sections, viz., Wheat & Barley, Bajra, Pulses, Oilseeds, Cotton, Forages, Medicinal, Aromatic & Potential Crops and Teaching Section. The teaching is aimed at better quality human resource development for the State and the Country. Accordingly, whole teaching programme at UG & PG levels has been strengthened. Besides the varieties/hybrids developed by the Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding, 64 strains were registered at NBPGR, New Delhi as Elite Genetic Stocks as INGR Nos. for various agronomic traits and donors for abiotic and biotic stresses. In addition to these genetic stocks, 116 strains were conserved at NBPGR, New Delhi as IC Nos.  Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding has well equipped Labs for physiological parameters, tissue culture, molecular markers (proteins & DNA); crop quality, plant & soil analysis, sick plots for screening crop plants for diseases & nematodes,  well maintained screen/glass houses, and well lit, ventilated seminar hall fitted with computer based audio-visual aids. Various crop sections in the Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding has the Faculty & scientific staff capable to impart training in increasing the food production and developing varieties/technologies related to plant type aspects for low and high input conditions and crop geometry aspects for managing abiotic and biotic stresses in various field crops through conventional and non-conventional approaches.

Significant work carried out on pearl millet and oilseeds crops in the Department have received appreciation and honoured as best performing research centers by ICAR in the country. The Department has also contributed significantly towards generating human resource commensurate with present day need of public and private sector by imparting contemporary teaching and reorienting post-graduate research. The active participation of the department in popularization and transfer of technology programmes through frontline field demonstrations, On-farm trials and trainings led to faster adoption of improved varieties by the farmers. 

Last Updated :-Fri, Jul 21 2023