Research Projects

The study explores the population genetic structure of wild and cultivated pomegranate in the Indian subcontinent. The development of desirable varieties of pomegranate in India relies on selection from naturally occurring genetic variants. Understanding genetic diversity in germplasm collections can enable more intensive breeding work with specific objectives. In-depth analysis of the population structure and microsatellites of cultivated pomegranate will help design association mapping studies. The extensive collection of worldwide cultivated pomegranate accessions and wild-type counterparts will facilitate mining novel alleles to improve horticulturally important traits in the fruit. The association mapping study will help identify favourable alleles and genomic regions controlling important traits. Identification of linked markers underlying growth, disease resistance, and quality traits is crucial for pomegranate. This will facilitate marker-assisted selection and help in planning future improvement programs by selecting parents with favourable alleles. The study examines population structure and genetic diversity at the molecular level of diverse Punica collections, identifying quantitative trait loci (QTL) to help future crop improvement programs. Hardwood cutting-raised plants of all accessions will be planted in the Field Gene Bank of ICAR-NRCP during 2006-2007, recording traits during two seasons (2022 and 2023). DNA extraction will be performed using young leaves from germplasm lines, and germplasm genotyping will be carried out using SSR/SNP markers for trait association studies. The core collection will be done using both genotypic and phenotypic basis, which can be used as a working collection in the future.