Dr. Major Singh (From 13th Apr. 2017 - 19th June 2022)

Dr. Major Singh (June 20, 1960) awarded Ph.D degree in Genetics and Plant Breeding from CCS University and M Sc Ag from GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Serving ICAR from last 30 years in various capacities (Scientist, Sr Scientist, Principal Scientist, Head, Division of Crop Improvement, ICAR-IIVR, Varanasi, Project Coordinator, AICRP(VC), ICAR-IIVR, Varanasi).

Developed two hybrids Kashi Sandesh and Kashi Komal, two varieties Kashi Taru and Kashi Prakash in brinjal; one hybrid Kashi Surkh and one variety Kashi Anmole in Chilli; two varieties Kashi Shakti and Kashi Mukti in pea; one hybrid Kashi Abhiman in tomato; one variety Kashi Param in french bean. These varieties and hybrids were popularized. Developed transgenic lines in brinjal and tomato using Cry 1Ac gene construct for resistant to shoot and fruit borer, in tomato using AtDREB1A and BcZAT12 gene constructs for water-deficit and multiple abiotic stress tolerance. Started marker assisted breeding in tomato and pyramided of genes Ty1, Ty2 and Ty3 to develop durable resistant varieties against TyLCV. Developed mapping population in tomato, brinjal and chilli for gene tagging and QTL mapping. Identified molecular markers for genetic purity of hybrids developed by IIVR in tomato, brinjal and chilli. Published more than 170 articles in various National and International Journals and guided a number of M.Sc. and Ph.D students. Authored two books “Heterosis in crop plants” and Legume vegetables”. Won several awards including ICAR Team Award for outstanding contributions in the field of vegetable breeding; Rajiv Gandhi National Award from Ministry of Home Affairs;Dr. Harbhajan Singh Award for outstanding research; Certificate of merit by Seed Research and is a member of many scientific societies. 

Developed international projects and have the liaison with various international organizations specially AVRDC, University of Cornell, ABSP-II etc. By having an active international collaboration, programmes have been developed to promote public-private partnership under ABSP-II programme of University of Cornell. To deal with changing environment issues, associated with mega project of ICAR “National Initiatives for Climate Resilient Agriculture” as Principal Investigator of IIVR component. Interacted with a number of international organizations i.e. International Agricultural Centre (IAC), Netherlands, CARP, Srilanka, RAAS, Russia, University of Cornell etc. Research project have been formulated in eggplant under ABSP-II programme of University of Cornell to manage the fruit and shoot borer. As a consultant provided training and guidance to the research workers of Srilanka for developing hybrids in vegetable crops. 

Past Director

Dr. Jai Gopal (From 9th Jan 2012 - 31 Oct. 2016)

Dr. Jai Gopal (25 October 1954), a distinguished potato breeder, earlier served as Principal Scientist and Head, Division of Crop Improvement, Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla. Dr. Jai Gopal is known nationally and internationally for his contribution to agricultural research particularly to potato breeding. He received his Ph.D. from Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. He has been awarded MS Randhawa Medal, 1995; Jawahar Lal Nehru Award, 1997, Vasant Rao Naik Memorial Certificate of Merit, 1998; CPRI Merit Award 2004 and Recognition Award (NAAS) 2007-08. He is Processing Editor, Potato Research, Netherlands; Associate Editor, Plant Production Science, Japan; Ex-Editor-in-Chief, Potato Journal; and Editor, Global Science Books, UK/Japan. He was Visiting Associate, International Potato Centre, Lima, Peru (2001-02) and Visiting Professor, Hokkaido University Japan, 2003, 2005-06. He worked as Member, Task Force, GIPB, FAO, Rome and Panel member, Science Council (CGIAR), FAO for EPMR of CIP. He is fellow of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences; Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding; Indian Potato Association; Japan Society for Promotion of Science and had Associateship of Third World Academy of Sciences. His work has been published in national and international journals of repute, and has developed a dozen of varieties of potato, six of onion and one garlic variety. He has travelled widely and chaired national and international conferences. For past more than 4 years, DOGR is making all around development under his leadership. He is contributing significantly to onion and garlic R&D from variety development to management of post-harvest losses. Many new initiatives have been implemented and research activities reoriented to meet the emerging issues of onion and garlic production.

 

Dr. K.E. Lawande (May 1997 - Oct. 2011)

Dr. K.E. Lawande (21 Dec. 1949) was the founder Director of DOGR. a distinguished alumini of IARI, New Delhi and a renowned vegetable breeder of MPKV, Rahuri. Under his leadership for more than a decade, Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research developed into a national institute of repute with AINRPOG having 12 main and 15 voluntary centres across the country. During the tenure at DOGR, Dr. Lawande released seven onion varieties and two garlic varieties apart from 17 other vegetable varieties released from MPKV Rahuri. He also played a crucial role in development of number of a valuable production and storage technologies which have helped in enhancing the productivity of onion and garlic and net availability for domestic as well as export market. Dr. Lawande has published several scientific papers in the journal of national and international repute and authored several policy papers.