Achievements

Research Achievements

 

Crop Improvement

• The Crop Improvement Division of ICAR-IIWBR, Karnal facilitated the release of 568 wheat (aestivum, durum, dicoccum and triticale) varieties since the inception of AICRP, Wheat and Barley.
• A total of 33 wheat varieties have been developed and released by the IIWBR for different production conditions across zones.
• A total of 368 wheat genetic stocks have been registered with ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi for different agronomically important traits, out of which 110 have been developed by ICAR-IIWBR, Karnal.
• Four wheat varieties viz., DBW187, DBW303, DBW222, DBW327 developed by ICAR-IIWBR are the top indented varieties as per the DAC indent.
• IIWBR- Unified Seed Sale, Inventory and Finance Management Software was developed to maintain the real time inventory, generation of bill for Breeder Seed and TL Seed Sale, integration of transaction ids with bill, generating reports of variety wise sale, state wise number of farmers registered and actual number of farmers lifted the seed
• To strengthen the Public Private Partnership a total of 1147 MoAs’ have been signed with the private seed companies for the IIWBR developed wheat varieties and a revenue of about 6.2 crore rupees was generated
• ICAR-IIWBR, Karnal has strong research and development linkages with CIMMYT, Mexico, ICARDA, Morocco and JIRCAS, Japan and research projects in collaboration mode are continuing.
• ICAR-IIWBR, Karnal facilitated the application of Community of Kharchi Village, Rajasthan for the registration of Kharchia a local land race for the Plant Genome Saviour Community Awards -2012-13, which was bestowed upon by the PPVFR&A , New Delhi
• ICAR-IIWBR, Karnal received the prestigious Borlaug Global Rust Initiative (BGRI) Gene Stewardship Award – 2018 for the deployment of rust resistant varieties to tackle the rust diseases
• Nanaji Deshmukh ICAR Award for Outstanding Interdisciplinary Team Research was awarded during 2021.

Crop Protection

• Losses due to wheat and barley rusts have been minimized. There had been no wheat and barley rust epidemic during recent years. It was possible due to the vigilance, coordination efforts of ICAR/IIWBR, SAUs and State Dept. of Agriculture, monitoring pathotypes, evaluation of Advance Varietal Trial material and deployment of diverse rust resistant varieties.
• Sequenced the genome of the indigenous pathogen of Karnal Bunt disease caused by a fungus Tilletia indica (Syn. Neovosia indica). The draft size of KB strains PSWKBGH-1, PSWKBGH-2 and PSWKBGH-3 were 37,460,344 bp, 37,216,861 bp and 43,736,665 bp, respectively.
• Sequenced about 100 mb genome of wheat brown rust (Puccinia triticina) fungus
• Virulence based phenotypic and genotypic population differentiation of 48 pathotypes of wheat leaf rust fungus Puccinia triticina from Indian subcontinent.
• A new Lr gene was catalogued on 2DS chromosome which confers resistance to all the virulent and predominant pathotypes of triticina in India.
• Developed of transcriptome based markers for leaf/brown rust pathogen
• Occurrence of wheat rusts and pathotype distribution were monitored regularly. During this period more than 4000 samples of wheat rusts were analyzed and pathotype distribution was mapped.  Five new pathotypes of Puccinia striiformis sp. tritici (110S119, 238S119, 110S84, 7S0 and 6S0) were identified and confirmed based on differentials and microsatellite markers.
• Rust resistance sources to the new pathotypes were also identified. Among which pt. 110S119 has increased to 24% of the samples and ranks second in predominance. Shift in predominance of pathotype of wheat brown rust in favour of 77-9 has occurred. Virulence for Sr31 has not been observed in India. All the AVT material of wheat and barley were evaluated and rust resistance genes in all the AVT materials were documented.
• SSR marker are being developed from the EST or whole genome sequence data for the wheat smut pathogens from the closely related species Ustilago hordei. The SSRs from Ustilago hordei are being used to analyse variability among wheat smut pathogens as they are highly transferable cross closely related species. Total 8226 SSR motifs have been identified consisting Mono, di, tri, tetra, penta and hexa repeats. Primers for 36 randomly selected SSR motifs have been custom synthesized and will be used for variability in wheat smut pathogens.
• Fourteen barley genotypes were identified as moderately resistant (BCU7600, BCU7624, BCU7628, BCU7629 BCU7640, BCU7649, BCU7651, BCU7652, BCU7653, BCU7659, BCU7721, BCU7916, BCU7842 and BCU7746) for corn leaf aphid resistant and one was categorized as resistant (BCU7635) during a study conducted at IIWBR from 2013 to 2015.
• In insecticide testing trial, three insecticides; flubendamide 480 SC @20g a.i./ha,thiamethoxam 25WG @ 12.5g a.i./ha and chlorantranilipride18.5 SC @20g a.i./ha were found quite effective against foliar aphids in wheat.
• Application of entomopathogenic fungi viz., Metarhizium anisopliae15% WP @ 4g/l Verticillium lecanii 1.15% WP @ 4 g/l was found effective in management of foliar aphid complex in wheat.

Quality Improvement

• Identified product specific and nutritionally rich varieties for chapati, bread, biscuit and pasta.
• Developed microlevel tests for processing and nutritional quality traits useful in predicting quality of segregating generations in breeding programme.
• Developed non-destructive method for estimation of wet and dry gluten using NIR equipment.
• Double null trait at Glu-D1 and wild alleles of puroindoline a (pinA) identified in Nap Hal (a unique Indian land race of wheat) and transferred into high yielding backgrounds for the improvement of biscuit making quality of Indian wheats using MAS.
• To improve processing and nutritional quality traits and to execute genetic/molecular studies, developed mutant populations under the background of PBW502, C-306 and PDW233.
• Developed RILs using C-306, PBW502, K68, PBW343, Gpc-B1 lines for mapping genes of processing and nutritional quality traits.
• Developed RILs using Kh65, PBW502, HD2009 and KRL-1-4 for mapping salt tolerant genes. Gene expression analysis demonstrated the role of NHX1 and SOS1 in imparting tolerance to salinity stress in Kh65.
• Characterized LMW glutenin genes at molecular level and developed functional marker for Glu-B3b allele, useful in wheat improvement for bread making quality.
• Identified QTLs for bread loaf volume and bread quality score and construction of framework maps.
• Identified Genetic stocks with better grain quality traits which can be used in breeding programmes for quality improvement of wheat products.
• Generated new information on the variability in the antioxidant activity and phenolic content of Indian wheat varieties.
• Developed indigenous low cost, handy & portable unit for measurement of Test weight. This instrument is highly advantageous to the wheat breeding programme and also for the milling industries.

Resource Management

• Two foliar sprays of growth retardants (CCC + tebuconazole) at the first node and boot leaf stage improve the wheat yield under high fertility and early sown conditions.
• Need based nitrogen application using NDVI sensor help in saving about 20% nitrogen in both rice and wheat crops without any yield penalty.
• Top dressing of urea just before irrigation in wheat is more beneficial than application after irrigation.
• Integration of organic and inorganic fertilizers is the best approach to improve the factor productivity.
• Integrated nutrient management options recommended NPK 150:60:40 kg/ha + 15 t/ha FYM and recommended NPK + green manuring were found effective for higher crop productivity and better soil fertility under rice-wheat system in NWPZ.
• In organic production of rice-wheat system, similar productivity of fine rice as with recommended NPK can be attained with 30 t/ha FYM application + green manuring but there is about 20% penalty on productivity of high yielding wheat varieties. However, FYM application improved the physico-chemical properties of the soil.
• Phosphorus skipping either in rice or in wheat under rice-wheat system produced the similar system productivity in sandy loam soils of Karnal.
• Scheduling irrigation at 60 kPa produced significantly higher grain yield compared critical growth stages.
• In wheat, regulated deficit irrigation (45 mm) improved the water use efficiency than regular full irrigation (60 mm) in sandy-loam soils of NWPZ.
• Rice residue retention on soil surface and foliar spray of 2 per cent K₂SO₄ at boot leaf and anthesis stage improved the water use efficiency of wheat.
• Seeding un-primed seed in air dry soil followed by irrigation and seeding pre-germinated seed at optimal soil moisture level produced statistically similar yield in sandy loam soil.
• Significantly higher grain yield recorded under drip + rainport method of irrigation followed by drip and sprinkler method of irrigation over check basins method of irrigation.
• Crop rotations that can be used for diversification of rice–wheat are pigeon pea-wheat, maize-wheat-green gram and rice-mustard-green gram.
• Rice-wheat system can be diversified by maize-mustard-green gram and maize-wheat-green gram cropping systems.
• Rice-wheat cropping system can be intensified by rice-wheat-green gram, rice-wheat-cowpea and rice-vegetable pea-wheat cropping systems.
• Intercropping of pulses (cowpea, green gram) in maize-wheat system can save up to 25% N in wheat.
• Radish and turnip seeding in furrows under bed planting did not hamper wheat productivity and provides additional vegetable production.
• Growing of berseem crop in the rotation reduced weed population in subsequent wheat cycle.
• Diversification/intensification of rice-wheat system, once in three years, always enhanced the net return, when all crops (except rice) were grown on raised bed in a system approach.
• Inclusion of oilseed or pulses on beds once in three years or intensification by growing vegetable pea in between rice and wheat or green gram after wheat showed higher return as compared to conventional rice-wheat system.
• Intensification of rice-wheat by growing short duration green gram var SML 668 after wheat harvest could reduce 25% N requirement for rice as well as green gram production to the tune of half tonne/ha.
• Coordinated the agronomic evaluation of AVT-II year genotypes and contributed to the release of improved wheat varieties.
• Improvement in zero-tillage machine by replacing the fixed side drive wheel with front mounted balancing wheel of floating type during 1996-97. Zero-till based long-term experiments under farmers’ participatory mode helped in the faster spread of the technology among AICRP centers, and farmers of Indo-Gangetic plains.
• The bed planting machine was also improved during 1997-98 and was evaluated at research farm as well as at farmers’ fields. This machine was also supplied to AICRP centers.
• Improvised and evaluated the Rotary-Till-Drill at research farm and farmers’ field for direct seeding of wheat after rice harvest.
• For conservation agriculture, a new machine namely Rotary Disc Drill was developed in collaboration with M/s. Beri Udyog Limited, Karnal. This machine can be used for direct seeding of wheat and other crops in various crops residue (rice residue, sugarcane ratoons) with minimal soil disturbance.
• The patent [469755] for Rotary Disc Drill was granted by Indian Patent Office in 2023.
• Conservation tillage and early sowing improve the profitability of wheat in rice-wheat system.
• In a long-term tillage experiment in rice-wheat system, the wheat yield was not affected by tillage either in rice or in wheat. In case of rice, there was non-significant effect of tillage options in wheat but no-till transplanting gave significantly lower yield compared to puddle and un-puddle transplanted rice.
• In long-term maize-wheat system, maize yield was better in zero tillage and conservation tillage options.
• The wheat productivity was not significantly affected by different practices of crop residue management and only nitrogen had significant effect and response was up to 150 kg/ha.
• The retention of crop residue on soil surface at 6 t/ha or higher improved the wheat productivity when only two irrigations were applied. The other benefits of crop residue retention on soil surface were less weed infestation, temperature moderation and improvement in soil organic carbon.
• Under various nitrogen management options, the direct seeded rice yield (varieties Pusa 1509 and NK 3325) was significantly lower than the puddled transplanted rice.
• Various herbicides and herbicide mixtures were identified for management of broad spectrum weed flora in wheat including herbicide resistant biotypes of Phalaris minor.
• The first case of multiple herbicide resistance in Phalaris minor and sulfonyl urea resistance in Rumex dentatus and Polypogon monspliensis was reported by ICAR-IIWBR, Karnal. The management strategies to control these herbicide resistant weeds were also developed.
• Flumioxazine, flufenacet, pendimethalin, and pyroxasulfone were found effective against multiple herbicide resistant Phalaris minor and sulfonyl urea resistant Polypogon monspeliensis.
• Narrow spacing of wheat (15 cm row to row) was found better in suppressing weeds compared to recommended spacing of 20 cm.
• In rice-wheat system, double no-till system led to more problems of Rumex dentatus and Medicago denticulata. Wild oat infestation was observed higher in maize-wheat than in rice-wheat system.
• For control of metsulfuron resistant Rumex dentatus and Chenopodium album, Halauxifen + Fluroxypyr, pendimethalin, 2,4-D and carfentrazone, were found effective.
• For knocking down Sesbania as brown manure, 2,4-D and glufosinate can be effectively used.
• The application of Pinoxaden + carfentrazone effectively controls the complex weed flora in barley.

Social Science

• Farmers’ perspective on crop residue management in rice-wheat cropping system.
• Promotion and impact evaluation of IIWBR Technologies at farmers’ fields.
• Operation of Tribal-Sub-Plan (TSP) project on ‘Improving the Socio-economic condition and livelihood of tribes in India through extension education and development programmes’.
• Cluster Demonstrations of Climate Resilient and Bio-fortified Wheat Varieties in major wheat growing states of the country.

Barley Improvement

• A total of 108 barley varieties have been developed since the initiation of AICRP in 1966, tailored for diverse production conditions and purposes, including feed, dual-purpose, malt, and food applications.
• Forty six genetic stocks have been registered with NBPGR, showcasing unique traits such as disease resistance, quality attributes, and superior agronomic characteristics.
• High-yielding two-row malt barley varieties, including DWRB28, DWRUB52, DWRB92, DWRB101, DWRB123, DWRB160, DWRB182 and DWRB219, have been developed for irrigated, timely-sown conditions in the NWPZ by IIWBR, Karnal.
• For irrigated late-sown conditions, two-row high-yielding malt barley varieties DWRB73 and DWRB91, along with the six-row variety DWRUB64, have been developed by IIWBR, Karnal.
• Genetic stocks DWRB127, DWRB128, DWRB143 (for stripe rust resistance) and Kasota (high anti-oxidant activity), DWRB 30 (high beta glucan) and BK 1127(high 1000 grain wt. and high grain protein content) were registered with NBPGR.
• Five molecular markers located on chromosomes 3H and 6H were identified as closely associated with the beta-glucan trait in a selected cross through bulk segregant analysis.
• Germplasm and breeding materials were screened for rust and leaf blight, leading to the identification of resistant genotypes.
• Barley seeds should be sown at a depth of 5-7 cm with a spacing of 22-23 cm, while malt barley can be sown at 18-20 cm spacing. An optimal seed rate of 100 kg/ha ensures good crop yield.
• A Happy Seeder is recommended for sowing in rice residue-based fields, conserving resources by saving time, energy, and money. This technique enhances nutrient and water use efficiency, improves soil fertility and organic carbon, reduces soil temperature and weed flora, and mitigates terminal heat effects.
• To control seed-borne diseases, treat seeds with Bavistin/Vitavax in a 1:1 ratio @ 2 g/kg seed or with Raxil @ 1 g/kg seed.
• For termite control, treat seeds with Chlorpyriphos (20EC) @ 125 ml per 100 kg seed in 5 liters of water.
• Nutrient recommendations for barley cultivation are tailored to specific production conditions as follows:

Zone/State	Production Conditions	Recommendations (N:P:K, kg/ha)
Northern Hill Zone	Rainfed	40:20:20
NWP Zone and NEP Zone	Irrigated, timely sown	60:30:20 (feed barley),   90:40:20 (malt barley)
	Irrigated, late sown	60:30:20
	Rainfed	40:20:20
Dual Purpose (Plains and Hills)	Irrigated/Rainfed	75:30:20 (plains), 60:30:20 (hills)

• The first irrigation should be applied at the active tillering stage, approximately 30-35 days after sowing. The second irrigation is recommended at the flag leaf stage, around 60-65 days after sowing, and the third at the milky stage, approximately 85-90 days after sowing. Among these, the active tillering and milky stages are the most critical for irrigation. Avoid heavy irrigation as it can lead to lodging, severe yellowing, and reduced tillering.
• A single hand hoeing after the first irrigation is sufficient for effective weed control. Additionally following herbicides are recommended for managing weeds.

Type of Weeds	Weedicides	Dose (per hectare)	Method of Application
Broadleaf Weeds	2,4-D	500 g	Spray at 30-35 DAS using 400-500 liters of water
	Metsulfuron	4 g	Spray at 30-35 DAS using 400-500 liters of water
Narrowleaf Weeds	Pinoxaden (Axil)	30-35 g	Spray at 30-35 DAS using 400-500 liters of water
	Pendimethalin	1000-1500 g	Spray pre-emergence using 400-500 liters of water

• Dual-purpose barley can be cut for green fodder at 50-55 days after sowing in the plains and 70-75 days in the hills, with the regenerated crop used for grain production. Varieties such as RD2035 and RD2552 are recommended for the NWPZ, RD2715 for the plains, and BHS380 for the northern hills zone.
• For effective control of complex weed flora in barley in the NWPZ, apply Pinoxaden @ 40 g/ha + Carfentrazone @ 20 g/ha, or Pinoxaden @ 40 g/ha followed by Metsulfuron @ 4 g/ha.
• The Reduced Till Direct-Seeded Rice system combined with Zero-Till Barley and 6 t/ha rice residue produced the highest yield and economic returns among various residue management practices.
• Establish and maintain robust linkages with national and international organizations, private industries, and other stakeholders to enhance outcomes and impact.