Kulthi (Macrotyloma uniflorum L.) Germplasm Field Day organized by ICAR-NBPGR Regional Station Ranchi on November, 19th 2018

Kulthi (Macrotyloma uniflorum L.) Germplasm Field Day was organized by ICAR-NBPGR Regional Station Ranchi on 19th November, 2018. Around 22 scientists belonging to ICAR-Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, ICAR-RCER Research Centre Ranchi and Birsa Agriculture University of Ranchi, Jharkhand participated in the event. Dr. Shashi Bhushan Choudhary, Scientist (SS) and Officer-In-Charge ICAR-NBPGR Regional Station Ranchi, Jharkhand welcomed the participants and briefly presented ongoing research work on characterization and evaluation of Kulthi germplasm at the station. He informed that a total of 265 accessions of the crop collected from Chhotanagpur plateau regions are being grown for agro-morphological characterization. These accessions are also being evaluated for grain yield during the kharif season. The inaugural programme chaired by Dr. T. R. Sharma, Director (Acting) ICAR-Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Ranchi, Jharkhand. He emphasized neutraceutical values of the marginalized pulse naturalized under dry weather condition with low input requirements. However, he underscored need to accelerate genetic and genomic research in the crop for enhancing productivity. In this backdrop, he congratulated organizer and appealed scientist to utilize the opportunity to identify source material for breeding programme. Dr. Vijai Pal Bhadana, Nodal Officer & Pr. Scientist (Genetics & Plant Breeding), ICAR-Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Ranchi, Jharkhand highlighted importance of organizing germplasm field day particularly for plant breeders and appealed to the organizer to organize more such events across crops. He highlighted importance of close linkage between priorities set by All India Coordinated Research Projects and germplasm characterization as well as evaluation work. Dr. C. S. Mahto, Assistant Professor, Birsa Agriculture University and Dr. R.S. Pan, Principal Scientist, ICAR-RCER Research Centre Ranchi also addressed the gathering and shared their experience about the crop. All the participants were taken to the experimental field to observe the variability and identify trait specific accessions. During interactive session, the participants appreciated the efforts of ICAR-NBPGR Regional Station Ranchi in organizing the event and showcasing the quantum of variability available in Kulthi at one location.

(Source: Dr. Shashi Bhushan Choudhary, ICAR-NBPGR, RS Ranchi, Jharkhand)