eChapters

1. Which round of plucking done in tea plantation
   1. 10 – 15
   2. 20 – 25
   3. 45 – 50
   4. 30 – 40
2. The method of oil extraction from fresh coconut was developed by
   1. CFTRI
   2. IARI
   3. IIHR
   4. CPCRI
3. The fresh arecanut fruits are preserved in thick layer of made and this product referred to as
   1. Bura tamul
   2. Chali
   3. Clay preserving
   4. Mud preservation

1. The Following disease of cocoa is characterized by formation of water soaked lesions on pod either at tip or stalk
   1. Collectotrichum pod rot
   2. Withches broom
   3. Charcoal pod rot
   4. Blight
2. The following species of coffee is affected by white stem borer grown under inadequate shade
   1. Robusta
   2. Arabica
   3. Tree coffee
   4. both a and B
3. The following disease is major in arecanut
   1. Koleroga
   2. Fruit rot
   3. Mohali
   4. All of these

1. Atropa belladonna contains which alkaloids is
   1. 1-hyoscyamine
   2. N-methyl-puridine
   3. Atropine
   4. Pyridine
2. Withania somnifera is commonly known in english
   1. Belladonna
   2. Liquorice
   3. Blue cherry
   4. Winter cherry
3. Botanical name of black nightshade is
   1. Solanum tarvum
   2. Solanum xanthocarpum
   3. Solanum nigrum
   4. Solanum viarum

1. Liquorice is propagated by
   1. Seeds and stem cuttings
   2. Root cuttings and stem cuttings
   3. Seeds, root cuttings and stem cuttings
   4. Seeds alone
2. Belladonna plants will be ready for planting in main field when they attain a height of
   1. 15 – 20 cm after 8 – 12 weeks
   2. 15 – 20 cm after 2 – 4 weeks
   3. 4 – 8 cm after 8 – 12 weeks
   4. 40 – 45 cm after 8 – 12 weeks
3. The cinchona seeds germinate in ___ days after sowing
   1. 60 – 65
   2. 5 – 10
   3. 20 – 40
   4. 10 – 15

1. K-8 is a variety of
   1. Aloe
   2. Coleus
   3. Ashwagandha
   4. Buckwheat
2. The following variety is aloe vera
   1. CIM – Sheel
   2. CIM - Sheetel
   3. CIM – Jeevan
   4. CIM - Mithi
3. Haryana Mulhatti -1 is a variety of
   1. Fox Glove
   2. Long pepper
   3. Liquorice
   4. Safed musli

1. The average dry yield of gymnema is
   1. 2 – 3 kg/plant
   2. 5 – 6 kg/plant
   3. 20 – 25 kg/plant
   4. 10 – 12 kg/plant
2. Isabgol will be ready for harvest in
   1. 80 – 90 days
   2. 60 – 70days
   3. 140 – 150 days
   4. 110 – 130 days
3. The liquorice uprooting in the month of
   1. November – December
   2. February – March
   3. August – September
   4. June – July

1. The major disease of isabgol is
   1. Powdery mildew
   2. Leaf spot
   3. leaf blight
   4. Downey mildew
2. The damping off is a series disease in
   1. Ipecac
   2. Aloe
   3. Indian penny wart
   4. Glory lilly
3. The following medicinal plants is affected by termites causes a lot of damage to young plants
   1. Gymnema
   2. Glory lilly
   3. Henbane
   4. Liquorice

1. The botanical name of West Indian birch is
   1. Bursera simaruba
   2. Bursera serratea
   3. Bursera gumifera
   4. Bursera javanica
2. The following genus is commonly known as khus
   1. Cymbopogan
   2. Chrysopogan
   3. Ocimum
   4. Apium
3. Ceylon citronella indigenous to
   1. India
   2. China
   3. Central Africa
   4. Ceylon

1. Seed rate of celery is
   1. 0.5 kg/ha
   2. 2.5 kg/ha
   3. 0.25 kg/ha
   4. 1.5 kg/ha
2. Davana seedlings will be ready for transplanting
   1. 10 – 12 weeks after sowing
   2. 6 – 8 weeks after sowing
   3. 4 – 5 weeks after sowing
   4. 2 – 3 weeks after sowing
3. Bursera planting is done at a spacing of
   1. 2 m x 2 m
   2. 4 m x 4 m
   3. 6 m x 6 m
   4. 8 m x 8 m

1. Pick odd one out
   1. Nima
   2. Pragati
   3. Jeva 2
   4. Praman
2. The following type of vetiver is high in oil yield but its oil quality is inferior
   1. East Indian Type
   2. North Indian Type
   3. West Indian Type
   4. South Indian Type
3. Vaishnavi is a variety of
   1. Vetiver
   2. Lemongrass
   3. Palmarosa
   4. Patchouli

1. The economic part of bursera is
   1. Root
   2. Leaves
   3. Stem and root
   4. Berries
2. Oil yield of thyme is
   1. 62 kg /ha
   2. 21 kg /ha
   3. 35 kg /ha
   4. 11 kg /ha
3. The oil yield of anise is
   1. 15 kg/ha
   2. 5 kg/ha
   3. 25 kg/ha
   4. 50 kg/ha

1. The leaf roller is an important pest of
   1. Lemongrass
   2. Citronella
   3. Mint
   4. Bursera
2. The following aromatic plants is susceptible to powdery mildew
   1. Sacred basil
   2. Thyme
   3. Geranium
   4. Rosemary
3. Meloidogyne hapla is reported to affect
   1. Thyme
   2. Geranium
   3. Sage
   4. Lavender

Coconut is a tall un-branched palm growing to a height of 15-30 m. it has a stout trunkraising from the swollen base which is known as bole. It is surrounded by a mass of fibrous. The stem is terminating into a radiating crown of leaves. Leaves are known as fronds. Palm is monoecious produces one inflorescence is enclosed in a strong tough double sheath called as spathe. Fruit is known as drupe, large in size, one seeded, round, ovoid I shape and the fruit has smooth thin green skin known as exocarp below which there is a thick fibrous hook known as mesocarp. Tall varieties live up to 80 . 100 years and dwarf varieties are live up to 40 . 60 years. Tall varieties begin flowering 5-7 years after planting and dwarf varieties . 3 years after planting

1. The botanical fruit type of coconut is
   1. Drupe
   2. Hesperidium
   3. Berry
   4. Capsule
2. Palm inflorescence are ____
   1. Monoecious
   2. Male
   3. Dioecious
   4. Female

1.1 Introduction

Fruit breeding is an ancient technology with dynamic current technology and an exciting future (Janick and Moore 1975, 1996). In its broadest sense, fruit breeding refers to the purposeful genetic improvement of fruit crops through various techniques including selection, hybridization, mutation induction and molecular techniques. Its origins trace to the domestication process in prehistory and antiquity, where useful species were chosen and cultivated, and improved by continuous selection (Janick 2005, 2011). Through the millennia genetic improvement of these species have been achieved by grower selection, first from natural seedling populations and then from grower field that continued unique genotypes fixed by vegetative propagation. Spontaneous hybridization between wild plants and cultivated clones was critical to the early domestication of fruits.

2.1 Introduction

The different breeding strategies (methods) that can be employed for improvement of fruit crops include introduction, open pollinated selection, clonal selection, hybrid breeding, polyploidy breeding, mutation breeding, molecular breeding, in vitro breeding and transgenic breeding. Combining traditional approaches with biotechnological approaches will speed up the rate of genetic improvement. Thus, what is required is to adopt a coordinated approach involving breeders, biotechnologists, horticulturists, pathologists, entomologists and statistician for making the cultivation of fruit crops more scientific and more profitable and thereby contributing more to improving the health of the people in a sustainable manner.

3.1 Introduction

The Mango (Mangifera indica L.) belonging to the family Anacardiaceae in order Sapindales, is amongst the most important tropical fruits of the world. In India, it is also known as the ‘king of fruits’ owing to the delicious quality of the fruit rich in vitamins and minerals. Its long period of domestication is evident from its mention in the ancient Indian scriptures. In India, mango has been valued not only for religious consideration but also for its importance in the economic and cultural life of the society. Mango is rich in Vitamin A and C, flavonoids, carotenes, glucosides, sterols, terpenes, aromatic acids, essential oils, fatty acids and phenolics. It is a powerful nutritive fruit, containing most of the essential substances needed by the human body. The most important single factor limiting the production of mango fruit at the present time is the erratic fruiting habits of this species. Some cultivars produce a good crop in most years and a poor crop in other years, while still other cultivars produce only a few fruits each year. For many years new cultivars have been selected and grown on the basis of size, appearance, and dessert quality with very little attention given to their production capabilities. The improvement of mango needs to explore new recombinants primarily by means of exploiting the breeding methodologies. Diversity or heterogeneity is the main character desired for breeding either natural or manmade. It is required to have vast genetic pool to get new combinations of desired nature and developing new hybrids. It has been mentioned earlier that the development of mango in India is the result of selection from the amateur gardeners. Now, the scientists have developed certain hybrids of mango.

4.1 Introduction

Banana (Musa spp.) is one of the oldest fruits and second largest growing fruit crop in the world. It is also known as Adam’s Fig and Apple of Paradise. Important banana growing states are Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar, West Bengal and Assam. In South India, banana is extensively used in all auspicious occasions such as wedding, festival and worship. Banana is a good table fruit. The cultivar Nendran is used for cooking; it is also used for preparation of halwa, sweet, chips etc. Main bud or heart of banana bunches is also used as vegetable in India, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia. Musa textiles is known for strong fibre quality. Ripe banana contains about 20% sugar (but no starch) and about 4.7% protein. Further, it contains vitamins A, B, C, D and E and minerals such as K, P, Ca and Fe.

5.1 Introduction

Citrus is one of the most important fruit crops in the world. It is grown in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. The top ten citrus producing countries are China, India, Nigeria, Brazil, Mexico, USA, Spain, Egypt, Italy and Argentina. The citrus industry in India is the third fruit industry after mango and banana. The important groups of crops in citrus are sweet orange, mandarins, limes, lemons, grape fruits and pummelo. The most important commercial Citrus species grown in India are mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco.), followed by sweet orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) and acid lime (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle). The major citrus producing states are Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab.

6.1 Introduction

Grapes are being grown commercially in the tropics. The region between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn which was once considered to be unsuitable for growing quality grapes is producing good quality grapes. Tropical countries where grapes are grown are India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan, South China, Australia, Brazil, Columbia, Ecuador, Mexico, Venezuela, West Indies, Kenya, Nigeria and Zimbabwe. In India, about 90% of grapes are being produced in the tropical states including Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. There are three main commercial uses of grape, viz., table, raisin and wine.

7.1 Introduction

Papaya is a fruit crop grown in kitchen garden, backyards of home and orchards. It is grown as a filler crop in orchard. India is the largest producer of papaya in the world. It is also cultivated in Brazil, Mexico, Australia, Hawaii, Malaysia, Taiwan, Peru, Florida, Gold Coast, South Africa and Bangladesh. In India, it is widely cultivated in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh. The ripe fruits of papaya are consumed throughout the tropics and sub-tropics. Fruits are also used in the preparation of jam, soft drinks, ice cream flavour, crystallized fruits and syrups. Unripe fruits are commonly used as vegetables. Papain is prepared from the latex of immature fruits. It is a proteolytic enzyme used for tendering of meat, preparation of chewing gum and cosmetics. The ripe fresh fruit is rich source of vitamin A, carbohydrates and minerals. The fruits are prescribed for piles, dyspepsia, liver, spleen and digestive disorders. Roots are used as nerve tonic. The plants flower five months after planting and fruits are ready five months after flowering. So, it has attracted attention of fruit growers to cultivate on a large scale in the country.

8.1 Introduction

Guava is the fourth important fruit crop next to mango, banana and citrus. It is known as the ‘Apple of tropics’. It is very rich and cheap source of Vitamin C and also contains a fair amount of calcium. Important guava growing states are Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Allahabad district of Uttar Pradesh has the reputation of growing the best quality of guava fruits in the world. The importance of guava is due to the fact that it is the hardy fruit which can be grown in alkaline and poorly drained soil. Guava fruits are used for making jam, jelly and various culinary purposes. The fruit can be canned in sugar syrup.

9.1 Introduction

Pineapple is one of the most important commercial fruits of the world. It is good source of vitamin A, B and fairly rich in vitamin C, minerals like calcium, phosphorous and iron. Fresh fruit is used as dessert. Fruit is also used for juice, squash, jam, mixed jam and in canned form. Fruit core is used for preparing candy. Some cultivars of pineapple are used for extraction of fibre. The important pineapple growing states are Assam, West Bengal, Tripura, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh.

10.1 Introduction

Litchi is a delicious fruit and generally consumed as a table fruit. It is one of the most popular fruits in India. It is also recognized as “Queen of Fruits”. It is a subtropical evergreen fruit crop. Its climatic requirements are highly specific. Thus, its commercial cultivation is restricted to only a few subtropical countries of the world. The major litchi producing countries are China, India, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. In India, the important litchi growing states are Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. Litchi makes an excellent canned fruit and highly flavoured squash is prepared from inferior fruits.

11.1 Introduction

Ber (also called Indian Jujube, Indian Plum, Chinese Apple and Masau) is an important minor fruit of India. It is most widely cultivated in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Maharashtra etc. Fruits are mostly eaten fresh but other forms, such as dried, candied, squash etc. can be prepared from ber. Stem, bark, root and leaves have some medicinal values. Leaves of ber are used as fodder in dry regions.

12.1 Introduction

Aonla (also called Amla, Indian gooseberry) is a tropical and sub-tropical fruit. It is mainly recognized due to its high nutritive, medicinal and therapeutic properties. It contains high amount of vitamin C (500-1500 mg/100 g); it is also rich in pectin, iron, calcium and phosphorus. Dried fruits of aonla are used in curing haemorrhage, diarrhoea, chronic dysentery, diabetes, jaundice, dyspepsia, cough etc. Aonla is the main ingredient of Chavanprash and Triphala powder. The fruit contains gallic acid and leucoanthocyanin which have antioxidant property. Its cultivation is more common and widely grown in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

13.1 Introduction

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), an economically important fruit plant species, belongs to the family Punicaceae. It is an important fruit crop of arid and semiarid regions of the world and has been believed to be the symbol of fertility and abundance. Pomegranate is a highly remunerative crop for replacing subsistence farming and alleviating poverty. The plant is drought tolerant, winter hardy and can thrive well under desert condition. It is a good source of protein, carbohydrate, minerals, antioxidants, vitamins A, B and C, and has also been used in controlling diarrhoea, hyperacidity, tuberculosis, leprosy, abdominal pain and fever. Pomegranate juice contains antioxidants such as soluble polyphenols, tannins, anthocyanins and can be used in the treatment of cancer and chronic inflammation. It has enjoyed a reputation for its healthy dietetic and medicinal properties.

14.1 Introduction

Apple is the most widely grown temperate fruit of the world. It is considered as King of temperate fruits. It is rich in carbohydrate, calcium, phosphorous, iron, potassium, vitamin B6 . Apple is rich in antioxidant, flavonoids and dietary fibre. It is recommended to reduce the incidence of dental caries. The phytonutrients and antioxidants may help reduce the risk of developing cancers, hypertensions, diabetes and heart disease. Apple is mainly used for table purpose. The various processed products are prepared from fruit, e.g., juice, jelly, preserve, canned slice, wine, concentrated juice, cider and powder. It is widely cultivated in Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bhutan, China, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Japan, Jordan etc.

15.1 Introduction

Pear is one of the important fruit crops that belong to the family Rosaceae. In the world pear is cultivated in China, USA, Argentina, Italy, Turkey, Spain, India, South Africa, Japan, Belgium etc. It is grown under a wide variety of climatic regimes ranging from cold dry temperate hilly conditions to warm humid sub-tropical conditions on the plains of northern India. In India pear is widely cultivated in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand etc.

16.1 Introduction

Peach is one of the important fruits grown in warm temperate zones of the world. Fruits are rich in protein, sugar, minerals and vitamins. Peaches are highly valued as table fruit for their attractive colour and palatability. Canned peaches, dried frozen preserves, jams, nectar are principal processed products of peach. It is grown mainly in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Nilgiri hills, Jharkhand and North-Eastern States.

17.1 Introduction

Almond or badam is a high energy nut. Almond kernels contain lipids (52.2%), protein (20%), carbohydrate (20.4%) and water-soluble sugars (4.4%). Irrigation affects almond yield and quality. Almond quality is primarily genotype dependent. Maturity at harvest can also influence kernel quality.

18.1 Introduction

Among nut crops, ‘Walnut’ or ‘Akhrot’ is the most important crop. It has immense commercial importance even in the areas situated in remotes without having good market and transport infrastructure. Because of long storability, growers have opportunity to hold the produce at room temperature for two to three months easily and sell out at intended time. Walnut is rich in protein, fats and vitamins, especially vitamin B6 . The walnut kernel contains about 90% PUFA of which 26% is the Omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid. But the problem with this type of kernel is that higher the percentage of PUFA in it, the more is the chances of getting the oil oxidized and thereby reducing the shelf life of the walnut kernel.

19.1 Introduction

Coconut is valued most for its nut. The other components are coconut water, kernel, shell and husk. Coconut water is one of the most refreshing drinks. It is also known for its medicinal value. It increases blood circulation in kidneys, causes profuse diuresis and eliminates mineral poisoning. It is a good substitute for saline glucose under gastroenteritis conditions. The coconut has been regarded as ‘Kalpavriksha’ because all the parts of the palm is useful to mankind in one way or other. The dried kernels commonly called as copra is the richest source of vegetable fat (60-67 % oil). Coconut is major source of edible oil. India is the largest producer of coir and its product. The major coconut growing areas of the world are found in Asia, Oceania, West Indies, Central South America, East and West Africa. In India, coconut is commercially grown in Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Odisha and West Bengal.

20.1 Introduction

Arecanut (or betel palm) is chewed as narcotic either alone or more commonly along with betel leaf. Its nut has medicinal and pharmaceutical properties. About 1/10th of world population has a habit of betel chewing. Nut contains polyphenol (11-18 %) which includes flavonols like catechin, epicatechin, leucocyanidin, fat (9-15%), polysaccharides (17-25%), fibre and protein (6- 7.5%) and some minerals like calcium, phosphorous and iron.

21.1 Introduction

Cashewnut or cashew is an export-oriented crop grown for its nuts, a true drupe. It is often referred to as ‘wonder nut’. It is highly delicious and nutritive. Its nutritional composition compares well with almond, hazelnut and walnut. The economic part is kernel which is a unique combination of fats (47%), protein (21%), carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. Nutritionally it is equivalent to milk, egg and meat, it is good appetizer, an excellent nerve tonic, stimulant, body builder. India is the largest producer, processor and exporter; and second largest consumer in the world. Cashew is grown in Kerala, Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra along the west coast and in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal along the east coast.

22.1 Introduction

Tea is the most important non-alcoholic beverage gaining further popularity as an important “health drink”. It is consumed as a morning drink by 2/3rd of world population. Tea was initially used as a medicine and subsequently as beverage and now has proven to be a potential raw material for pharmaceutical industry. Tea is mainly consumed in the form of ‘fermented tea’ or ‘black tea’, ‘non-fermented tea’ or ‘green tea’ and ‘semi-fermented tea’ or ‘oolong tea’. Green leaves are also used as vegetables such as ‘leppet tea’ in Burma and ‘meing tea’ in Thailand. Tea leaves have more than 700 chemical constituents among which flavonoids, amino acids, vitamins (C, E, K), caffeine and polysaccharides are important to human health. The stimulating effect of tea is due to caffeine (1.25-4.5%). Per cup value of caffeine in tea is three and half times less than that of coffee and is less harmful than coffee. Importantly, the vitamin C content in leaves is comparable to that of lemon.

23.1 Introduction

Coffee is the second important popular beverage for its aroma and mild stimulant action. Its dried beans are roasted, ground and brewed to make a stimulating and refreshing beverage. Use of coffee has evolved from original chewing of leaves and beans of the plant to relieve pain, hunger and fatigue to the present more sophisticated uses, like espresso and decaffeinated coffees. Its use was first discovered in Arabia around mid-15th century.

24.1 Introduction

In India, the commercial cultivation of oil palm started during 1970. Today about 16 countries of tropics cultivate oil palm. The palm oil has been safe and nutritious source of edible oil for human consumption for 1000 years. Palm oil and its liquid fraction palmolein is consumed worldwide as cooking oil. Malaysia, Indonesia, Nigeria and Columbia started to grow oil palm in a large scale during 1980. The commercial producing countries are Liberia, Peru, Angola, Senegal, Ghana, etc.

Commercial Crop Breeding

The term commercial crop breeding is straightaway equivalent to ‘commercial plant breeding’ and remains largely plant breeding with slight twist that commercial plant breeding aims at delivering commercial products to be delivered to the end users that is the farmers as per the need of the consumers/ markets. Thus, the farmers plant those products (open-pollinated cultivars and hybrids) which are easily accepted by the consumers and which are easy to be handled by the traders as the products reach to the traders and then from traders to the retailers and ultimately to the consumers.

Indian Council of Food and Agriculture organized SEED WORLD-2019 (World Seed Trade and Technology Congress) from 18-21 September, 2019 at The Hotel Lalit Ashok, Bangalore and presented SEED INDUSTRY SCENARIO REPORT (ICFA, 2019; www.icfa.org.inwww.seedworld.in). The information as given below is largely based on this report and other presentations made during the congress, particularly one by Kapur (2019).

Any commercial plant breeding programme run by the private seed companies typically called as Research and Development (R & D) is carried out through various models operating. There is no fixed organizational set up and different companies adopt the working set up as per size of their programme, availability of manpower and resources, area of the breeding station and several other considerations. One thing is clear that any commercial plant breeding programme will have more numbers of crop breeders than the supporting scientists.

Varietal release and notification comes under the purview of the Seeds Act which aims to provide for regulating the quality of certain notified seeds for sale and for marketing and for the matters connected therewith. Released and notified varieties are offered for seed certification by the seed certification agencies which ensure that the varieties under certification meet certain prescribed field and seed standards failing which they stand to be rejected during the process of seed certification.

The Seed Act 1966 was passed by the Indian Parliament on 29th December 1966 and it came into force from 2nd October, 1969. In addition, Seed Regulation Order was also passed in December 1983.

Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act-2001 (PPVFRA-2001) was enacted by government of India in 2001 to create a sui generis system of providing a legal framework as an IPR mechanism to protect the varieties of crop plants in India along with grant of breeders’ and farmers’ rights in the interest of all the stakeholders and also to comply with WTO guidelines to which India is a legal signatory.

The increasing concerns about dwindling biological resources globally led to the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992. This convention for the first time, recognized sovereign rights of States over their biological resources and emphasized that access to genetic resources should be only for environmentally sound purposes and should be subject to national legislations. The access has to be on mutually agreed terms which inter-alia would include recognition of associated Traditional Knowledge of indigenous communities and equitable benefit sharing arrangements.

In order to provide for the establishment of an effective system for protection of plant varieties, plant breeders’ rights and the farmers’ rights and to encourage the development of new varieties of plants it has been considered necessary to put in place a legal protection mechanism the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001 has been enacted in India (www.plantauthority. gov.in). For the purposes of this Act, Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority has been established and is located at NASC Complex, DPS Marg, Opp - Todapur, New Delhi-110 012.

A significant development in the field of agricultural research in India is the formulation of All India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRPs), initially for the improvement of agricultural crops, but later extended to all aspects of crop husbandry.

The 15 CGIAR (Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research) Research Centers are independent, non-profit research organizations, conducting innovative research. Home to more than 8,000 scientists, researchers, technicians, and staff, CGIAR research works to create a better future for the world’s poor. Each Center has its own charter, board of trustees, director general, and staff. CGIAR Research Centers are responsible for hands-on research programmes and operations guided by policies and research directions set by the System Management Board.

Biotechnology is defined as a set of tools that uses living organisms or parts of living organisms to make or modify a product, improve plants, trees or animals or develop microorganism for specific uses. Agricultural biotechnology is the term used in crops and livestock improvement through biotechnology tools. Biotechnology encompasses a number of tools and elements of conventional plant breeding techniques, bioinformatics, microbiology, molecular genetics, biochemistry, plant physiology and molecular biology.

Rice (Oryza sativa L., 2n = 2x = 24, monocot, family Poaceae formerly called as Gramineae, grass family, self-pollinated crop) is one of the Four Big Crops (rice, wheat, corn and soybean) globally and is the world’s most important food crop after wheat and corn. In crop year 2018, there was around 167 million hectares of paddy (rough, un-milled rice) cultivated area worldwide with production of 782 million tons resulting into a productivity of 4.68 tons/ha. The top ten countries in rice production during this period globally were China, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Philippines, Brazil and Pakistan. Chinese production was 212 million tones followed by India with 172 million tons (FAOSTAT). Indian production of 172 million tons of rough rice can be converted into milled rice by multiplying a conversion factor of 0.67 and this way it comes to 115 million tons.

Wheat also known as bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell, 2n = 6x = 42, family Poaceae formerly Gramineae or grass family, a self-pollinated crop), second only to rice as source of calorie has been grown on 218 million ha with production of 765 million tons globally during 2019-20. Top five countries, namely, China (135 million tons), India (103 million tons), Russia (77 million tons), USA (51 million tons) and Canada (34 million tons) account for 65% of the global production. Other major countries growing wheat are Ukraine (28 million tons), Pakistan (26 million tons), Australia (24 million tons), Argentina (21 million tons) and Turkey (18 million tons). Wheat is eaten by 2.5 billion people in 89 countries and distributed from Scandinavia to South America and across Asia. Global annual wheat trade is worth USD 50 billion.