ICAR-Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR)

Nagpur, Maharashtra, India

Collaborating Centre Principal Investigator (CC-PI)

Dr. Rakesh Kumar

Senior Scientist

Co-Principal Investigators (Co-PIs)

Dr. Joy Das

Senior Scientist

Dr. Rahul Phuke

Senior Scientist

Dr. Pooja Verma

Senior Scientist

Dr.Jayant Meshram

Principal Scientist

Dr.Suhas Karkute

Scientist

Target Traits & Genes in Cotton

Crop	Variety	Trait
Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)	Coker 312 (Mutant allele introgressed into Suraksha/Yugank Bt)	Compact architecture, determinate sympodial shoots
		Seed oil quality
		Fibre quality, yield & agronomic traits
		Seed oil content & salt tolerance

Research Methods & Expected Outcomes

The research team is enhancing cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) through genome editing to introduce desirable traits. Genome editing is being carried out using both Agrobacterium-mediated in planta and somatic embryogenesis (SE)-based approaches to generate sufficient transformants. The ultimate goal is to develop climate-resilient, high-quality cotton varieties.

To ensure stable inheritance of traits, transgene-free homozygous lines will be generated.

Currently, four young professionals are actively engaged in supporting the research activities.