AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITIES OF MAHARASHTRA AND

HIGHLIGHTS OF THEIR RESEARCH IN PLANT BREEDING

Aamod Kulkarni – KTBSC(BIO)001

1. Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth (MPKV) – Rahuri

Before the period of independence and during few years after independence, the
non-agricultural universities were entrusted with the responsibility of agricultural
education and the State Department of Agriculture contributed to research and
extension. The agricultural universities were established in this country from
1960 according to the recommendations of Radhakrishnan Commission (1948).
In pursuance of the Maharashtra Agricultural University (Krishi Vidyapeeth) Act
1967, initially, the Maharashtra Agricultural University (Krishi Vidyapeeth) was
established for the entire Maharashtra State and started functioning from 29
March, 1968 with its office at Mumbai. The office was shifted to College of
Agriculture, Pune in the year 1969. Subsequently in the same year, two
agricultural universities and in 1972, two more agricultural universities were
established. Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth (MPKV), Rahuri is one of them
which was established in 1969 for the Western Maharashtra region. Its
jurisdiction spreads over ten districts namely, Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur,
Ahmednagar, Solapur, Pune, Nashik, Dhule, Jalgaon and Nandurbar. The
University is named after the great social reformer Mahatma Jyotiba Phule. The
Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri is the premier Agricultural University
in Maharashtra that renders services to the farmers through Education, Research
and Extension Education.
One of the most promising research projects carried out by the University was on
developing varieties of wheat. Triticum aestivum and T. durum, were both
involved in the studies for breeding. The primary motives behind the breeding
process were to develop newer varieties of wheat which could sustain fluctuations
in temperature to a great extent. Apart from that the quality of the varieties being
disease resistant and resistant to lodging. Lodging is the permanent displacement
of a stem (or part of a stem) from a vertical posture. This is often caused by high
wind speeds, made worse by wet conditions. It is known to happen quickly (in a
day) or relatively slowly, with stems initially leaning. In extreme situations, crops
may be forced to fall flat. It occurs when plant stems weaken to the point, that
they can no longer support the weight of the grain causing it to fall over. These
conditions are caused due to excessive moisture, or increased nitrogen content.
The researchers also sought to decrease their reliance on excessive fertilizer
doses.
The principal objectives of the entire exercise were,
1. To devise suitable agronomical practices for newly released wheat varieties
and formulating wheat-based cropping sequence and agro techniques.
2. To screen wheat genotypes against diseases.
3. To screen germplasm for heat and drought tolerance.
4. To produce breeder seed and nucleus seed as per indent.
Since water scarcity is a major concern in the relatively drought prone areas of
Western Maharashtra. The development of drought tolerant varieties ensures
stable wheat production under conditions of water stress.
The study began with the identification and selection of varieties of wheat
displaying potential drought tolerance. These crops were subjected to various
degrees of water stress, through the means of controlled irrigation system –
wherein the irrigation was stopped after the formation of the crown root, a single
irrigation, or irrigation deficit. The crops were then analysed based on the Stress
tolerance index, and other parameters, such as the grain yield, biomass
accumulation, root depth, and efficiency in water usage.
A genomic approach to the development of drought resistant varieties of wheat
was followed. The overexpression, downregulation, or tissue-specific expression
of artificially modified promoters is an effective way to study gene functions. For
example, the drought response functions of dehydration responsive element-
binding protein/C-repeat-binding factor (DREB/CBF) family genes, GmDREB1,
ZmDREB4.1, OsDREB2, and TaDREB3 were identified by this approach.
The researchers expect to identify and cultivate stable cultivars of wheat which
can maintain considerable yields under water deficient conditions. The study can
be recommended for plantation to farmers with fields in water – limited areas
which rely solely on rainwater for replenishment. Strategies for efficient
management of crops in water – limited conditions can be developed.

Another area of research was the enhancement of staple food crops such as the
pearl millet (Bajra). The biofortification of the pearl millet – targeting the iron
and zinc content in the grain was carried out.

The primary objectives of the research work were,

 1. The Development of pearl millet varieties suitable for growth in the
calamitic conditions of Maharashtra, which are a rich source of iron and
zinc, in order to provide a source of these essential macronutrients.
2. Aid in combating the issue of malnutrition.
3. To enhance the nutritional quality of staple crops without hampering their
growth process and adversely impacting the yield.
4. To improve resistance to drought and pests while maintaining the Yield
quality.
The methodology followed the selection of the cultivars displaying high content
of zinc and iron in the grain. These cultivars were subjected to conventional
breeding and marker assisted selection. The high yielding millet varieties were
crossed with those cultivars having a high nutritional content. The different
varieties of the crops were grown under different conditions of soil hydration and
climatic conditions. The integration of molecular tools to enhance nutrient
absorption and efficiency of utilisation by crops. Finally, the nutritional content
of the selected crops was evaluated to ascertain the efficacy of the breeding
technique.

2. Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (PKDV), Akola

Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (PDKV), established in 1969, is a
leading State Agricultural University (SAU) in Maharashtra. It plays a crucial
role in advancing agricultural education, research, and extension services. The
university offers undergraduate (UG), postgraduate (PG), and doctoral (PhD)
programs in various agricultural fields, including Agriculture, Forestry,
Horticulture, and Agricultural Engineering. With 11 affiliated colleges and
multiple research stations, it provides a strong academic foundation for students
while conducting region-specific agricultural research.
PDKV specializes in crop breeding, biotechnology, and sustainable farming
practices, focusing on developing high-yielding, pest-resistant, and climate-
resilient crop varieties. These research efforts help improve agricultural
productivity and ensure food security in the face of changing environmental
conditions.
The university collaborates with ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research),
international research institutes, agribusiness firms, and government agencies to
enhance innovation and technology adoption in Indian agriculture. Such
partnerships help in developing cutting-edge solutions for modern farming.
PDKV actively promotes organic farming, precision agriculture, speed breeding,
and climate-smart techniques to improve efficiency and sustainability. Organic
farming reduces dependency on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, while
precision agriculture uses advanced technologies like sensors and GPS mapping
to optimize farming operations. Speed breeding accelerates the development of
new crop varieties, and climate-smart techniques focus on adapting agriculture to
climate change by improving water use efficiency, soil health, and crop resilience.
Three of their most prominent crop cultivars are listed below –
1. Black Gram – TAU-Series
Black gram (Vigna mungo), also known as urad dal, is a widely cultivated pulse
crop in India. The TAU-Series of black gram varieties has been developed to
improve yield, quality, and resilience to environmental stress.
High-yielding hybrids: Traditional black gram varieties often have limited
productivity. Hybrid varieties from the TAU series have been developed through
selective breeding to increase pod production, leading to higher yields.
Enhanced nutritional quality: Black gram is a rich source of protein, fiber, and
essential minerals. The improved varieties ensure better seed composition with
higher protein content, making them more nutritious.
Resistance breeding against shoot fly and stem borer: Insects like shoot fly
(Atherigona spp.) and stem borer damage black gram by feeding on seedlings and
stems, reducing plant vigour and productivity. Through resistance breeding,
scientists have introduced genes that make plants less susceptible to these pests.
Drought-tolerant varieties: Some regions experience irregular rainfall, leading to
water stress. Drought-resistant black gram varieties can survive with limited
water availability by having deep root systems that extract moisture from deeper
soil layers.
 2. Groundnut – TAG 24
Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea), or peanut, is an important oilseed crop. The TAG-
24 variety was developed for high productivity and disease resistance.
Better pod-setting ability: Pod setting refers to the successful development of
groundnut pods after pollination. TAG-24 has been bred to have strong
reproductive traits, ensuring more pods per plant, increasing yield. Resistance
to Yellow Mosaic Virus (YMV): Yellow Mosaic Virus is a viral disease that
spreads through whiteflies, leading to yellowing of leaves and poor pod
development. TAG-24 has genetic resistance, allowing plants to remain healthy
despite virus exposure.
Shorter maturity duration: Traditional groundnut varieties take longer to mature,
delaying harvest. TAG-24 matures in about 110 days, making it suitable for
multiple cropping systems where farmers want quick turnover.
Improved seed quality: Groundnuts are used for oil extraction and direct
consumption. TAG-24 seeds have higher oil content, better taste, and uniform
size, making them valuable for both industries and consumers.
 3. PKV – 2 Cotton hybrid
Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is a vital cash crop, and PKV-2 is a high-yielding hybrid
developed for better fibre quality, oil content, and resilience.
Early maturity: Traditional cotton varieties take a long time to produce
harvestable fiber. PKV-2 has been bred to mature earlier than conventional
varieties, helping farmers harvest cotton sooner and prepare fields for the next
crop.
High oil content: Cottonseeds contain oil, which is extracted for edible and
industrial use. PKV-2 has a higher seed oil percentage, making it economically
beneficial beyond fiber production.
Resistance to diseases such as late leaf spot and rust: Late leaf spot is a fungal
disease that causes defoliation, reducing photosynthesis and cotton fibre yield.
Rust weakens the plant’s vascular system. PKV-2 carries resistance genes,
allowing it to thrive despite disease exposure.
Drought tolerance: Cotton requires significant water, but PKV-2 can survive with
less irrigation due to enhanced root development and water retention ability,
making it suitable for semi-arid regions where rainfall is scarce.

REFERENCES
https://www.pdkv.ac.in/?s
https://education.icar.gov.in/
https://mpkv.ac.in/