Scientists

DNA Fingerprinting and Genetic Diversity Analysis:

Seven hundred and twenty-nine Rice varieties (Oryza sativa L.) (BMC Genet, 2016, Cited 103) and 9242 rice accessions have been gentyped with SSR markers and in-house developed 36-plex SNP primer panel, respectively. Genetic diversity and population structure of Indian rice varieties were estimated using SSR and SNP markers (PLOS ONE, 2013, Cited 208) and a core of North-eastern India rice collection (7000 accessions) and East coast region rice collection (2242 accessions) has been developed based on SNP markers (PLOS ONE, 2014 Cited 68, Front in Genet, 2021).

For genetic enhancement of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), the role of wild species and genetic markers were assessed (JPBB, 2002, Cited 18; J G& B, 2003 Cited 22, Biotech and Genet Eng Rev, 2008, Cited 140; JPBB, 2008 Cited 29). Diversity analyses of Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.), Ber (Z. mauritiana), Grape (Vitis vinifera L.), Guava (Psidium guajava) and Apple (Malus species) was also conducted (Curr Sci, 2006, Cited 126, IJGPB, 2007, Cited 16, JPBB, 2007, Cited 20, IJGPB, 2009, Cited 16, IJH, 2011, Cited 7, IJAS,2017 Cite 7, IJH, 2017 Cite 5, Env. & Eco. 2017, IJAS, 2016, 2020, GRACE, 2019, Cited 10, Sci Hort, 2018, Cited 19) with overall objective to study diversity and species relationship.

In addition to food crops, my work also targeted some of the important and potential medicinal plants.  The genetic diversity study among the germplasm of Neem (Azadirachta indica) using various molecular markers was done (IJPGR, 2002, Cited 8; IJAS, 2008, Cited 1; GRACE, 2005, Cited 76).  Considering the genetic potential in wild germplasm, the study was conducted in wild collection of Giloe (Tinospora cordifolia) (IJMAP, 2013, Cited 27), Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata) (Indus Crops and Prods, 2016, Cited 57), Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum) (IJH, 2015) and Aloe (Aloe barbadensis) (IJMAP, 2013, Cited 11). In a recent work, molecular diversity and SSR transferability study in Vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides) (Indus Crops and Prods, 2014, Cited 23) and population structure and diversity in Moringa (Moringa oleifera) (Indus Crops and Prods, 2014, Cited 60) was also carried out.

DNA Fingerprinting Services: Rice and Chickpea DNA fingerprinting services are provided to Public and Private Companies on payment basis.

Genomic Resource Development:

EST based SSR marker and Genomic SSRs were generated in medicinally important plants Giloe (Tinospora cordifolia) (Func Int Gen, 2016; Cited 13 Plant Gene, 2016, Cited 17), Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata) (Plants, 2020, Cited 2) and Kala Jeera (Bunium persicum) (Indus Crops and Prods, 2022, Cited 2). Genomic SSR markers has been developed in Guava (Psidium guajava L.) cv. Allahabad Safeda and their application in genetic diversity, population structure and cross species transferability was studied (PLOS ONE, 2020, Cited 6). Transferability of the rice SSR markers in Vetiver was studied to generate novel SSR markers (Indus Crops and Prods, 2014, Cited 23). CAAT Box Derived Polymorphism (CBDP): A Novel Promoter - Targeted Molecular Marker for Plants was developed (JPBB, 2013, Cited 63)

Databases Developed:

Giloe (Tinospora cordifolia), Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata) and Amaranth (Amaranthus species) databases were developed. These databases will be useful for those working in the area of functional genomics and diversity study. Rice database based on SSR and SNP markers was also developed for varietal identification.

Click here to explore: Medicinal Plants database, Amaranth Genomic Resource Database, Germplasm Identification System for Rice, National Rice Resource Database

Functional Genomics:

My association with a mega project (NPTC, ICAR) of rice related to functional genomics (QTL mapping/allele mining) provided me a unique opportunity to fine map the QTLs of basmati quality traits (aroma, grain dimension) (JPBB, 2007, Cited 30; Mol Breeding, 2008, Cited 291; JPBB, 2012, Cited 46) and further correlate association of BADH1 gene with aroma trait (Mol Breed, 2010; Cited 72).  I also developed a sequence-based marker for BADH2 gene and to the best of my knowledge; this is the best marker system for distinguishing aromatic rice from non-aromatic ones (Mol Breeding, 2008, Cited 291).  In a related work the combination of QTLs and transcriptomics data led to identification of polymorphism in putative salt tolerance and aroma genes (Mol Genet Genom, 2010, Cited 200, Cer. Res. Comm., 2014, Cited 21).

QTLs related to sugar yield traits in Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) (Euphytica, 2013, Cited 31), Oil content and fatty acid composition traits in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) were also mapped (JPBB, 2013, Cited 9). Linkage map for Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) (IJH, 2011, Cited 6) and Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L) were developed for QTL mapping (IJAS, 2011, Cited 24).

Genetic Stability Study:

Genetic stability study of tissue cultured and cryopreserved Banana (Musa L. spp.) (INCDB-Plant, 2014, Cited 28), Bacopa monnieri (L.) (PCTOC, 2012, Cited 29, INCDB-Plant, 2016 Cite 13, INCDB-Plant, 2017 Cite 19) and Cardmom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) (INCDB-Plant, 2009, Cited 37) genotypes were done for their long-term conservation in In-vitro repository.

Google Scholar Link: Dr Rakesh Singh

2024   Fellow of National Academy of Agriculture Sciences (FNAAS), New Delhi, India.

2020   Dr. B R Barwale Award for Application/Excellence in PGR, Indian Society of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi, India.

2017   Dr. R K Arora Best Research Paper Award by Indian Society of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi

2015    Fellow of Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding, New Delhi.

2012    Fellow of Indian Society of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi.

2011    Best Research Paper Award by the Horticultural Society of India, IARI, New Delhi.

2010-11 DBT CREST Fellowship in the area of Agricultural and Plant Biotechnology by Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, India.

2009    Young Scientist Award (Biotechnology) for significant contributions in the field of Plant Genetic Resources by Society for Plant Research, Bareilly College, Bareilly.

2008    Jawahar Lal Nehru Award for Post-Graduate Agricultural Research for outstanding research in Crop Sciences and Crop Improvement. 

2007/08 Dr R S Paroda Young Scientist Award for significant contributions in the field of Plant Genetic Resources. 

Editorial Assistance:

1. Editor: Indian Journal of Plant Genetic Resources, India (2010-2015 & 2018-till date).
2. Associate Editor: Indian Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding (2020-till date). 
3. Consulting Editor: Biotech Today, India (2011-2013).
4. Member Advisory Board: Biotech Today, India (2014-till date).
5. Executive Member: Society for Plant Research (VEGETOS), India (2014-17).
6. Member of Editorial Board: “VEGETOS” (2018-2020).  
7. Executive Member: Society for Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology, India (2018-2021)