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Breeding
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The Roots...
 The main R&D research centre of Namdhari Seeds is located in Bangalore. The ever changing demand for vegetable hybrids to suit different market segments and agroclimatic zones have led to strengthening of Namdhari Research and Development wing. The recent development in this respect is the realization of a expanded research building with most modern and sophisticated facilities for Plant Breeding Division as well as different laboratory disciplines.
This company had made a modest beginning with a dedicated team of breeders whose efforts have culminated in release of several commercially successful hybrids. The team has since been expanded with specialization into crops. The major crops handled are Tomato, Watermelon, Melons, Chillies, Okra,Brinjal and Gourds. New crops like Cucumber, Onion and Cauliflower have been added. The breeding efforts of the R&D are enhanced via shuttle breeding through different research stations strategically located all over India.
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Marker assisted breeding
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To supplement the efforts of strong crop breeding programs the company has made a foray into using advanced techniques in molecular biology, tissue culture and pathology. All these coupled with an elaborate testing of hybrids for adaptability has ensured speedy delivery of premium products across crops to several destinations world over.
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Disease screening
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R&D Block
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The Fruits...
In tomato, a major crop of subtropics, the company offers a wide range of high yielding hybrids to suit varied grower and market specificities. These include processing, dual purpose, fresh market (bush and stake culture), indeterminates (outdoor and greenhouse culture). An array of hybrids resistant to bacterial wilt, TYLCV, TMV, nematodes and a host of other temperate foliar and root diseases have also been developed and released.
Watermelon and melons are major crops where concerted efforts have led to many commercially viable hybrids. These hybrids differ in rind pattern, fruit size, fruit shape and excellent quality parameters to suit different agro-regions of India and potential countries in South East Asia and Middle East
Chilli a major crop of India is witnessing a shift from open pollinated varieties to hybrids. This company has kept pace with ever increasing demand of hybrids by releasing virus resistant NS 1701, NS 211, NS 275 and NS 201 which has been a big leap in stepping up the income of farmers.
The company has been successful in exploiting hybrid vigour in okra. High yielding hybrids with resistance to YVMV and superior pod quality series of hybrids have made a mark in the domestic and offshore markets.
The program on brinjal (egg plant) has been intensified and the list of hybrids include a wide spectrum of fruit types inclusive of large purple (oval and round), small purple round, small striped(spine & spineless). Bacterial wilt resistant hybrids are also slated for release. The translation of our commitment for the improvement of the traditional Indian vegetables is evident from the launch of hybrids in ridge gourd, bottle gourd, sponge gourd, and bitter gourd. Presently we have intensified research in crops like onion, cauliflower, bell pepper, cucumber and rice
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Tissue Culture
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Frontier...
The plant pathology section has a highly sophisticated laboratory and specialized compartmentalised green houses for rapid disease diagnosis, multiplication and screening of fungi, bacteria and viruses. This has helped in churning out several lines which are prerequisite for disease resistance breeding.
The molecular biology section equipped with the state of the art technologies is propelling the rapid advancement of the breeding program.
The successful use of molecular markers for disease resistance screening, male sterility etc., has strengthened and hastened end product realisation. The lab has also has a mandate of developing molecular markers helpful for DNA fingerprinting which ensures the purity of our commercial seed. The section of tissue culture has expanded four folds mainly focused in complementing plant breeding by the development of tetraploids, doubled haploids, embryo rescue in inter specific crosses, maintenance and manipulation of germplasm.
The application of molecular genetics and breeding in harmony with conventional breeding has catapulted the company into an enviable position in the Indian seed industry. Constant upgradation of skills, imbibition of leading edge technologies, innovations coupled with committed R&D has seen Namdhari Seeds emerge as a global player in the hybrid vegetable seed scenario.
Competence...
The R & D division of Namdhari Seeds is headed by Dr.N.Anand. and Dr.O.P.Dutta
The team consists of fifteen qualified and well trained breeders to help direct the activities of the breeding programmes. They are also supported by trained technicians in each of the crops.
The Pathology wing, Molecular biology lab and Tissue culture lab are all headed by competent scientists. This professional team with a strong commitment for excellence backed by superior infrastrucure is set to scale new heights in the area of vegetable research.
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