21-day training on stress-tolerant crop breeding at PAU
In a pioneering move, the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has introduced a 21-day advanced training program on ‘Advanced Breeding Strategies for Developing Stress Tolerance in Plants.’ Sponsored by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the initiative aims to equip participants with cutting-edge tools and techniques to enhance crop resilience.
The program, held at PAU’s Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, is drawing 23 delegates from 12 states, including Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Kerala. Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal, the university’s Vice-Chancellor, inaugurated the event alongside Dr. CS Aulakh, Dean of the College of Agriculture.
Dr. Gosal underscored the critical importance of the training, noting that both biotic and abiotic stresses, exacerbated by climate change, severely impact crop yields. He cited examples such as heatwaves affecting wheat production and the SRBSDV attack on rice in Punjab, emphasizing the need for advanced breeding techniques to address these challenges.
The Vice-Chancellor praised PAU’s leadership in plant breeding and genetics, highlighting the development of over 900 crop varieties and the establishment of a state-of-the-art Speed Breeding facility. He encouraged participants to explore interdisciplinary collaborations with PAU to further crop improvement efforts.
Dr. VS Sohu, Director of the Centre of Advanced Faculty Training (CAFT) and Head of the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, delivered welcoming remarks. He stressed the vital role of CAFT programs in facilitating knowledge exchange and provided an overview of the department’s research initiatives. Dr. Sohu expressed confidence that the training would empower participants to adopt the latest breeding technologies to tackle plant stresses.
Dr. CS Aulakh echoed the urgency of understanding plant responses to environmental stresses and integrating this knowledge into breeding programs to ensure sustainable crop yields amidst rapid climate change. He hoped the program would significantly enhance the research capabilities of the participants.
Dr. Satwinder Kaur Dhillon, in charge of the Teaching Section of the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, concluded the session by thanking ICAR for its sponsorship, PAU’s administration for their support, and the participants for their enthusiasm. She highlighted the transformative potential of the training in equipping scientists with practical knowledge and skills for crop improvement.
The three-week training will feature expert lectures, hands-on sessions, interactive discussions, and field and laboratory visits. These activities aim to equip participants with the tools and techniques needed to develop stress-tolerant crop varieties for a sustainable future.