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भा.कृ.अनु.प.- भारतीय चरागाह एवं चारा अनुसंधान संस्थान, झाँसी

ICAR - Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi

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ICAR–Indian Grassland & Fodder Research Institute — Crop Improvement Division

Crop Improvement Division — ICAR–IGFRI

Thrust Areas
  • Collection, characterization, utilization and conservation of forage plant genetic resources of grasses, legumes & wild relatives of cultivated crops.
  • Development of high-yielding, nutritive forage varieties tolerant to biotic and abiotic stresses.
  • Pre-breeding and novel gene discovery; identification and utilization of molecular markers for traits such as apomixis, disease tolerance, drought and salinity tolerance and development of transgenics.
  • Physiological and biochemical studies on abiotic stress (moisture, heat, salinity, light) in forage crops.
  • Pest diversity studies and integrated pest management for forage crops.

Working groups
  • Plant Breeding and Biotechnology
  • Tissue culture and Gene Editing
  • Abiotic & Stress Physiology

Brief Introduction

The Division was established in 1967 by Dr K L Mehra with units like Genetics, Cytogenetics, Plant Improvement, Plant Protection, Plant Physiology, Biochemistry. Subsequently, merged in 1967 as CI Division to promote multi-disciplinary integrated approach for forage crop improvement. Right now, we have many disciplines like PGR, Plant Breeder, Agricultural Biotechnologist, Pathologist, Plant Physiologist. Currently 11 scientists are working (PS, Sci Sr Scale, Scientist). We have a full fledged biotechnology unit, biochemistry and physiology labs and pathology lab.

Ongoing Research Projects

Project / Focus PI / Team Duration
Augmentation, Characterisation, Conservation and Documentation of Forage Genetic Resources PI(s): N. Dikshit; S. Ahmed. Co-PIs: R. K. Singhal; E. Antony; S. S. Bhat; P. Shashikumara; B. K. Mehta; team 2020–2025
Identification of oat (Avena sativa) lines for heat stress tolerance PI: Parichita Priyadarshini. Co-PIs: P. Shashikumara; M. Tomar 2020–2025
Breeding of pearl millet for deriving multi-cut and dual-purpose genotypes with high forage yield and quality PI: P. Shashikumara. Co-PIs: B. K. Mehta; K. K. Dwivedi 2020–2025
Genetic improvement of maize for high biomass and fodder quality PI: B. K. Mehta. Co-PIs / collaborators: P. Shashikumara; K. K. Dwivedi; Firoz Hossain (IARI, New Delhi) 2020–2025
Developing erect-type and multi-cut fodder cowpea with enhanced nutritional quality PI: B. K. Mehta. Co-PIs: S. K. Meena; K. Sridhar 2021–2026
Identification and characterization of multicut summer sorghum lines for HCN & moisture stress tolerance PI: R. K. Singhal. Co-PIs: S. Ahmed; Maneet Rana; Subhash Chand 2023–2026
Identification and characterization of cowpea genotypes for phosphorus use efficiency PI: S. K. Meena. Co-PIs: B. K. Mehta; Maneet Rana; Mahendra Prasad 2022–2025
Breeding oat for improved productivity and quality PI: Shahid Ahmed. Co-PIs: Maneet Rana; R. K. Singhal; Sultan Singh; Subhash Chand 2021–2026
Genome-wide identification, characterization and expression analysis of Flowering Locus T (FT) genes controlling floral induction in cowpea PI: Parichita Priyadarshini. Co-PIs: K. K. Dwivedi; B. K. Mehta; S. K. Meena 2023–2026
Identification and characterization of genes involved in expression of apomixis component traits and polyploidy series in guinea grass (Panicum maximum Jacq.) PI: K. K. Dwivedi. Co-PIs: Maneet Rana; Tejveer Singh; Tanmaya Kumar Sahu 2021–2025
Genomics-assisted breeding for zinc and iron bio-fortification in oat PI: Maneet Rana. Co-PIs: K. K. Dwivedi; S. Ahmed; R. K. Singhal; Surendra Paul; (Satpal, Agronomist) and Vinod Kumar (Biochemist), HAU, Hisar 2021–2024
Genetic improvement of novel fertile Bajra–Napier hybrid for enhanced productivity and quality traits PI: Maneet Rana. Co-PIs: P. Shashikumara; S. Ahmed; R. K. Singhal 2022–2027
Genetic improvement of Berseem for high biomass and low moisture stress tolerance PI: Tejveer Singh. Co-PIs: R. P. Saini; S. K. Meena; R. Srinivasan; S. R. Kantwa 2024–2029

Externally Funded Projects

Project Title Funding Agency / Amount PI / Duration
Novel gene(s) discovery for drought and salinity tolerance using genome wide association analysis and multi-omics studies in Dinanath grass (Pennisetum pedicellatum) NASF; Rs. 96.00 lakhs PI: Shashikumara (2025–2028)
Developing high biomass and multicut pearl millet genotypes following haplotype-based breeding suitable for summer season Corpus Fund; Rs. 49.90 lakhs PI: Shashikumara (2025–2028)
Identification and characterization of candidate genes related to polyploidy and/or apomixes in guinea grass Rs. 35.00 lakhs PI: K. K. Dwivedi (2024–2027)
Mapping and validation of genomic regions associated with brown midrib mutant in pearl millet Rs. 36.83 lakhs PI: Shashikumara (2023–2026)
Enhancing climatic resilience and ensuring food security with genome editing tools Rs. 144.00 lakhs PI: Parichita (2023–2026)
Development of tailor-made amphidiploids in novel fertile BN hybrid for transfer of desirable traits from Napier to Bajra using Doubled Haploid technology DBT–IYBF; Rs. 70.00 lakhs PI: Maneet Rana (2023–2024)
Characterization and multiplication of forage crops — CRP on Agro-Bioversity (Component 1) Rs. 25.00 lakhs PI: S. Ahmed (2022–2026)
Synthetic seed production in sterile Bajra–Napier Hybrid via encapsulation of somatic embryos Rs. 29.65 lakhs PI: Maneet Rana (2021–Dec 2024)
Genetic improvement of forage crops for sustainable livestock production (07 Projects) NLM; Rs. 376.84 lakhs PIs: S. Ahmed / B. K. Mehta / Shashikumara / Maneet Rana / R. K. Singhal / Tejveer Singh (2023–2026)
Use and conservation of agrobiodiversity for food & nutrition security and increased agricultural sustainability in India CIAT; Rs. 77.61 lakhs Team: Tejveer Singh / S. Ahmed / K. K. Dwivedi (2021–2024)
Harnessing genetic diversity in pearl millet and sorghum for identification of trait-specific genotypes and trait mapping for fodder yield & quality IIMR; Rs. 50 lakhs PIs: R. K. Singhal / Shashikumara / Subhash Chand (2023–2026)
IGFRI–RIL Consultancy Project — High biomass production from forage grasses to generate green energy Reliance Group; Rs. 50 lakhs Team: S. Ahmed / Tejveer Singh / Maneet Rana (2025–2030)
Utilizing perennial grasses for revolutionizing sustainable bioenergy production under challenging environments Rs. 100 crore Team: P. Kaushal; Shahid Ahmed; M. Rana; Shashikumara P; B. K. Mehta; R. K. Singhal; S. Chand; K. K. Dwivedi; T. Singh; P. Priyadarshini; R. P. Saini; S. K. Meena (2025–2030)

Significant Achievements

  • Released 55 varieties in different forage crops for commercial cultivation and grassland rejuvenation across various agro-ecological zones of India.
  • Registered 30 unique trait-specific germplasm accessions with the National Germplasm Registration Committee.
  • Developed the world’s first tetraploid seed-producing Bajra–Napier hybrid.
  • Maintains the world's largest ploidy series of Guinea grass (3x, 4x, 5x, 6x, 7x, 8x, 9x, 11x & P. squamulatum) — recognized by Limca Book of Records (Indian Record).
  • Conserving 10,896 germplasm accessions of forage species in the mid-term storage module of IGFRI, including ~3000 accessions of tropical forage grasses.
  • Published 21 crop-specific germplasm catalogues and developed core collections in sorghum and Cenchrus to support effective utilization and management of conserved germplasm.
  • Reported for the first time the occurrence of leaf blight in Bajra–Napier hybrid in India.
  • Pre-breeding efforts initiated in berseem, maize, pearl millet and oat. Developed interspecific hybrids using conventional and biotechnological approaches for traits related to disease resistance, longevity, quality, perenniality, multicut ability, apomixis, tillering, branching and waterlogging tolerance. Generated variability in berseem and guinea grass through induced mutation.
  • Identified and developed high biomass lines in berseem, oat, pearl millet, cowpea, maize, sorghum, dinanath grass, TSH and BN hybrids.
  • Identified donor accessions for biotic and abiotic stress tolerance in major fodder crops.
  • Identified salinity-tolerant oat lines suitable for high saline soils (7–8 dS/m).
  • Discovered novel reproductive traits in sorghum: multiple gynoecium (3–6), three-stamen types, and twin/triplet seeds per spikelet/panicle.
  • Identified Sehima grass lines with superior silage quality and pearl millet lines with low lignin content.
  • Identified waterlogging-tolerant and phosphorus-use-efficient lines in cowpea.
  • Identified cowpea lines with high regeneration potential after a single cut.
  • Identified cowpea and BN hybrid lines with high crude protein content.
  • Advanced multiple generations of crosses and inbreds in cowpea, maize, bajra, sorghum and oats for traits including high biomass, multicut ability, early maturity, quality, resistance and stress tolerance.
  • Conducting AICRP-FC allotted trials successfully across mandated regions.
  • Identified obligate sexual lines in buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) and Guinea grass (Panicum maximum), and developed molecular markers associated with mode of reproduction.
  • Identified molecular markers linked to important traits in pearl millet, perennial grasses, berseem, oat and Stylosanthes.
  • Developed a multigene regulatory model for apomixis and identified reproductive pathway genes controlling seed development in apomictic grasses.
  • Identified two flowering genes (VuFT-1 and VuFT-2) controlling floral induction in cowpea; validated their function and submitted coding sequences (534 bp & 579 bp) to NCBI.
  • Generated the world’s largest ploidy series in any crop plant using the Hybridization–supplemented Apomixis-components Partitioning Approach (HAPA) from a single progenitor (2n = 4x = 32) in Guinea grass — representing 3x, 4x, 5x, 6x, 7x, 8x, 9x, 11x cytotypes.
  • Identified differentially expressed genes involved in apomeiosis in Pennisetum.
  • Identified major pests and diseases affecting fodder crops and their resistance sources.
  • Estimated yield losses and established epidemiological patterns for major forage crop diseases.
  • Developed pest and disease management strategies (cultural, biological, botanical, chemical and integrated IPM) for major forage crops.

Selected Varieties Developed

Crop Variety Typical GFY (t/ha) Zone / Year
Leguminous Fodder Crops
Berseem Wardan 65–70 Whole country / 1982
Bundel Berseem 2 65–80 Central & NW zone / 1997
Bundel Berseem 3 55–60 NE zone / 2001
JBSC-1 35–38 Central & NW zone / 2018
Bundel Berseem-5 50–85 NW & NE zone / 2021
Bundel Berseem-6 55–85 NW & NE zone / 2021
BB-7 (JHB 18-1) 40–95 Hill, Central, NW zone / 2022
BB-8 (JHB 18-2) 40–95 Hill, Central, NW zone / 2022
Bundel Berseem-9 60–80 Central zone / 2025
Lucerne Chetak 115 Lucerne-growing areas / 1975
IGFRI-DL-2 70–100 North-West Zone / 2024
IGFRI-DL-5 90–110 Karnataka / 2024
Cowpea Bundel Lobia 1 30–35 Central Zone / 1992
Kohinoor 40–45 All cowpea-growing areas / 1975
Type-21 30–35 All cowpea-growing areas / 1978
Bundel Lobia 2 25–30 North-West zone / 1994
Bundel Lobia 4 30 North-Eastern Zone / 2015
IGFRI-DC-215 30–32 Karnataka / 2023
Guar Bundel Guar 1 25–35 Whole country / 1993
Bundel Guar 2 25–30 Whole country / 1995
Bundel Guar 3 30–40 Whole country / 1999
Field Bean Bundel Sem 1 25–35 Whole country / 1993
Clitoria ternatea JGCT-2013-3 25 Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, UP, MP & Gujarat / 2018
Grasses & Cereal Fodder Crops
Oats Bundel Jai 822 44–50 Central zone / 1989
Bundel Jai 851 40–50 Whole country / 1998
Bundel Jai 2004 40–50 All India except Central zone / 2006
Bundel Jai 99-1 35–40 Hill Zone / 2007
Bundel Jai 99-2 (JHO 99-2) 40–50 NE & NW / 2005
Bundel Jai 2010-1 27–34 South zone / 2016
JHO 2009-1 53–62 Central zone / 2016
JHO 2012-2 33–37 South zone / 2018
JHO 2015-1 26–30 Hill Zone / 2018
JHO-21-1 30–32 South zone / —
Bajra DRSB-2 40–50 Karnataka / 2004
AVKB-19 50–60 Whole country / 2007
Bundel Bajra-1 52–54 North-West zone / —
Anjan Grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) Bundel Anjan 1 30–35 Whole country / 1989
Bundel Anjan 3 37–40 Whole country / 2006
Bundel Anjan-4 37.5 MP, UP, Gujarat, Maharashtra (arid & semi-arid) / 2019
Dhaman Bundel Dhaman-1 13.5–15 Arid & semi-arid regions / 2019
Dinanath Grass Bundel Dinanath 1 30–40 Whole country / 1987
Bundel Dinanath 2 30–48 Whole country / 1997
Bundel Dinanath 3 25–35 WB, Jhar., Odisha, Assam, Bihar, MP, UP / 2023
NB Hybrid Swetika 70–80 Central, Northern & NE / 1983
DHN-6 100 North Karnataka / 2008
DHN-15 200–250 Irrigated Karnataka / 2020
Guinea Grass Bundel Guinea 1 40–50 Punjab, HP, Central UP, Maharashtra, TN / 2005
Bundel Guinea 2 50–60 Semi-arid & humid tropics / 2009
Bundel Guinea 4 75–81 All Guinea grass areas / 2012
DGG-1 100–105 All Guinea grass areas / 2016
Sehima Bundel SenGhas-1 18–20 Semi-arid, tropical & sub-tropical regions / 2007
Chrysopogon Bundel Dhawalu Ghas-1 26–30 Rainfed rangelands / 2007
Heteropogon IGHC-03-4 25–30 Rainfed rangelands / 2007
Marvel Grass JHD-2013-2 45 Punjab & Rajasthan / 2018
Pennisetum Hybrid (P. glaucum × P. squamulatum) BBSH-1 — Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Maharashtra, HP & Assam / 2019
Total Varieties Developed: 55

List of Novel Genetic Stocks Registered / Identified

S. No. Crop Trait Year INGR Number
1Pennisetum pedicellatumOctoploid (2n = 8x = 72)2006INGR 06018
2Pennisetum squamulatumNew cytotype (2n = 56)2006INGR 06017
3Panicum maximumTriploid cytotype (2n = 3x = 24)2009INGR 09039
4Panicum maximumTetraploid cytotype (2n = 4x = 32)2009INGR 09040
5Panicum maximumPentaploid cytotype (2n = 5x = 40)2009INGR 09041
6Panicum maximumHexaploid cytotype (2n = 6x = 48)2009INGR 09042
7Panicum maximumOctoploid cytotype (2n = 8x = 64)2009INGR 09043
8Panicum maximumNonoploid cytotype (2n = 9x = 72)2009INGR 09044
9Trifolium alexandrinumPentafoliate Berseem Penta 12009INGR 09045
10Pennisetum glaucumTetra A4 Tetraploid (2n = 4x = 28) male sterile (A line)2009INGR 09046
11Pennisetum glaucumTetraploid (2n = 4x = 28) male fertile maintainer (B line)2009INGR 09047
12Cenchrus ciliarisRare sexual self-incompatible (IGFRI-CcSx-08/1)2011INGR 11062
13Trifolium alexandrinumPentafoliate (2n = 4x = 32)2012INGR 12010
14Trifolium alexandrinumBlack seeded2012INGR 12009
15Trifolium alexandrinumSelf incompatible (2n = 4x = 32)2012INGR 12011
16Trifolium alexandrinumSelf compatible2012INGR 12012
17Pearl milletObligate sexual interspecific hybrid between P. glaucum and P. squamulatum (2n = 42)2013INGR 13036
18Pearl milletObligate apomictic interspecific hybrid between P. glaucum and P. squamulatum (2n = 42)2013INGR 13037
19Pearl milletDiploid apomeiotic hybrid (2n = 16) between P. glaucum and P. orientale exhibiting induced apospory2013INGR 13038
20Pearl milletInterspecific hybrid derivative (2n = 23) of P. glaucum × P. orientale exhibiting inheritable partitioned apomixis components (BIII hybrids)2013INGR 13039
21Pearl milletFirst tri-species hybrid (GOS hybrid, 2n = 44) between P. glaucum, P. orientale and P. squamulatum2013INGR 13040
22Panicum maximumRare sexual line SRP 752015INGR 15055
23Trifolium alexandrinumBlack seeded pentafoliate berseem2015INGR 15026
24SorghumSix stamens and two gynoecia2017INGR 17016
25Pennisetum orientale6x cytotype2018INGR 18024
26Panicum maximum6x cytotype2018INGR 18025
27Panicum maximum11x cytotype2018INGR 18026
28Cenchrus ciliarisHigh water soluble carbohydrate — good for silage preparation2019INGR 19061
29Cenchrus ciliarisHigh water soluble carbohydrate — good for ensiling, pale colour2019INGR 19062
30Cenchrus ciliarisHigh water soluble carbohydrate — identified for ensiling2019INGR 19063

Technology Licensed

Variety / Technology Licensee Duration / Notes
Berseem: Bundel Berseem-7 (JHB 18-1) M/s Rasi Seeds (P) Ltd 8 Years
Berseem: Bundel Berseem-5 (JHB 17-2) M/s Foragen Seeds Pvt. Ltd 7 Years
Berseem: Bundel Berseem-7 (JHB 18-1) ALAMDAR SEEDS, Kutch, Gujarat 8 Years
Oat: Bundel Jai 2004 (JHO 2000-4) M/s Rasi Seeds (P) Ltd 7 Years
Oat: Bundel Jai (JHO 822) M/s Foragen Seeds Pvt. Ltd 5 Years

Facilities Available

Category Facilities
Laboratory Equipment Electroporator, Deep Freezer, Flow Cytometer, Realtime PCR, Bacteriological Incubator, Microcentrifuge, Vertical Laminar Air Flow, Orbital Shaking Incubator, Fiber Analyser, Autoclave, Leica Microscopes, Thermal Cycler (384-well with interchangeable rotors), Ultra-Deep Freezer (-80°C), Digital Camera
Biotechnology & Molecular Facilities Biotechnology Laboratory, Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory, Pathology Laboratory
Controlled & Protected Structures Net House, Bee-proof Net House, Speed Breeding Facility, Hydroponics Facility
Storage & Preservation Mid-term Storage Module
Field Facilities 20-hectare Field Facility, Seed Threshing Floor, Irrigation Facility, Fenced Experimental Area
Farm Machinery Cultivator, Tractor, Rotavator

Staff Position

Scientific Staff
S. No. Image Scientist Designation Subject
1 Dr. S. Ahmed Head Plant Breeding
2 Dr. K. K. Dwivedi Principal Scientist Agricultural Biotechnology
3 Dr. Tejveer Singh Senior Scientist Genetics
4 Dr. Maneet Rana Senior Scientist Agricultural Biotechnology
5 Dr. Shashikumara P Scientist Genetics & Plant Breeding
6 Dr. B. K. Mehta Scientist Genetics & Plant Breeding
7 Dr. R. K. Singhal Scientist Plant Physiology
8 Dr. Subhash Chand Scientist Genetics & Plant Breeding
9 Dr. Sangeeta Singh Senior Scientist Genetics & Plant Breeding
10 Dr. V. C. Tyagi Scientist Economic Botany & PGR
11 Dr. Parichita P Scientist Agricultural Biotechnology
Technical & Supporting Staff
S. No. Name Designation
1 Gopal Lal Meena Technical Officer
2 Sonu MTS (Lab Assistant)

Research Images & Genetic Stocks

Genetic stock
Representative field / genetic stock
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