Research Projects

Castor, an annual oilseed crop in India, is the world's largest producer and area of castor. The disease, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ricini (For), affects the yield of castor, causing yield loss ranging from 40% to 80%. To manage this issue, resistant cultivars have been identified and used in conventional breeding programs. However, the genetic and molecular basis of Fusarium wilt resistance in castor is not well understood. ICAR-Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research (ICAR-IIOR) has made significant progress in this area, identifying and mapping major genetic loci for wilt resistance. This proposal aims to identify candidate genes underlying one of these loci using integrated approaches involving near-isogenic lines (NILs), draft genome sequences, and transcriptomics. The objectives include developing NILs carrying different loci linked to Fusarium wilt resistance in castor, identifying and validating putative candidate genes conferring resistance to Fusarium wilt, and designing candidate gene-specific markers for marker-assisted selection in castor. The proposal is a maiden attempt to identify candidate genes underlying a major locus for wilt resistance in castor, which could pave the way for identifying diverse genes for wilt resistance and help establish a fast-track breeding system in castor.