Research & Development

Hand Pollination

The major focus of Research and Development activities is on developing value-added varieties for the Indian and other Asian markets. Although Seminis is having R&D Centers in several countries throughout the World, however, to meet the specific needs of the region this Station has specific objectives. There are certain crops in which this Station is having complete responsibility in Seminis such as Gourds and Okra. The other crops being focused are Short Day Onion, Eggplant, Tomato, Hot Pepper, Watermelon, Tropical Cauliflower, Coriander and Palak. The major emphasis on these crops is to develop improved varieties with value added traits such as disease resistance, better nutritional values, high yield and quality.

The research activities in Seminis India were initiated in 1997. The programs at that time were Gourds, Okra, Eggplant and Short Day Onion. Several programs were added later on like Tropical Cauliflower (1999), Watermelon (2002), Tomato, Palak and Coriander (2003), and Hot Pepper (2004). The research activities are focused at two Research Stations ( Aurangabad and Sonipat). Apart from this, there are six trialing farms located at different geographic regions of the country. We have a team of 11 highly qualified and experienced breeders and scientists supported by 12 qualified smart working executives.

The main R&D Center is located at Mulani Wadgaon in Aurangabad. This center has been dedicated on 10 th November, 2003 and since then all the R&D activities have been shifted to this location. This Center has an area of 32 hectares and facilities related to R&D activities. At present, there is an expert team of six breeders and two Plant Pathologists. The shuttle breeding is being focused in few crops at the various Farms strategically located all over India.

Varieties developed in these crops, there is a wide range of choice to the farmers with high yielding, disease resistance and better quality products. This has results in several varieties being commercialized from these programs not only in India but also in other parts of the region.

Most of the breeding activities are being carried out both by conventional as well as modern biotech methods. More focus is now being given on the marker assisted breeding and dihaploids in several crops to accelerate the breeding process.

The Plant Pathology facility has been developed to meet the challenging requirements of the programs. There is a well equipped pathology laboratory with disease screening facility under controlled conditions. This has helped in developing varieties with resistance to various targeted diseases, which include viral, bacterial and fungal diseases. The molecular biology components have also been added in the Pathology Unit.