Research Activities

The ominous threat of damaging diseases/insects and changing environmental patterns coupled with continuous demand of farmers for high yielding and high oil content oilseed varieties, always keep oilseed breeders engaged in their research pursuits. The job is tedious and cumbersome because of the complex nature of divergent mode of pollination of oilseed crops. However, oilseed breeders, within limited resources, are trying hard to meet the challenges posed by various stresses, marketing trends and farmers’ demands.

Sunflower

  • Development of inbred lines
  • Maintenance of inbred lines
  • Parent seed production
  • Development of new hybrid combinations/seed production
  • Study of new sunflower hybrids
  • Micro seed  yield trials of sunflower
  • National uniform sunflower yield trial
  • Hybrid seed production

Sesame

  • Maintenance and evaluation of genepool for utilization in breeding programme
  • Hybridization Programme to create genetic variability.
  • Study of filial generations for evaluation of segregating generations.
  • Preliminary seed yield trial to study the performance of newly developed strains.
  • Advanced seed yield trial to evaluate performance of promising strains.
  • Micro seed yield trials to test the performance of promising strains in different agro-eco logical zones of Punjab.
  • To evaluate the performance of strains received from PARC Islamabad.
  • Production of pre-basic seed of commercial varieties for provision of high-quality seed to farming community.

Soybean

  • Maintenance and evaluation of genepool for utilization in breeding programme
  • Hybridization Programme to create genetic variability.
  • Study of filial generations for evaluation of segregating generations.
  • Preliminary seed yield trial to study the performance of newly developed strains.
  • Advanced seed yield trial to evaluate performance of promising strains.
  • Micro seed yield trials to test the performance of promising strains in different agro-eco logical zones of Punjab.
  • To evaluate the performance of strains received from PARC Islamabad.
  • Adaptability yield trial for the selection of the best possible environment for crop cultivation.
  • Production of pre-basic seed of commercial varieties for provision of high-quality seed to farming community.

Summer Mustard

  • Maintenance of gene pool
  • Hybridization programme
  • Study of filial generations
  • Preliminary seed yield trial
  • Advanced seed yield trial
  • Micro seed yield trial

Winter Mustard

  • Maintenance of gene pool(B. napus)
  • Hybridization programme(B. napus)
  • Study of filial generations(B. napus)
  • Preliminary seed yield trial (B. napus)
  • Advanced seed yield trial (B. napus)
  • Micro yield trials of Rapeseed (B. napus)

Winter Rapeseed

  • Maintenance of gene pool(B. juncea)
  • Hybridization programme (B. juncea)
  • Study of filial generations (B. juncea)
  • Preliminary seed yield trial (B. juncea)
  • Advanced seed yield trial (B. juncea)
  • Micro yield trials of trials (B. juncea)

Linseed

  • Maintenance of gene pool
  • Hybridization programme
  • Study of filial generations
  • Preliminary seed yield trial
  • Advanced seed yield trial
  • Micro seed yield trials

Entomology Discipline

  • To save the breeding material of Oilseed crops from insect pest
  • Screening of Promising Strains /Hybrids /genotypes of Different Oilseed crops against insects pests attacking these crops
  • Testing the Efficacy of some new pesticides in oilseed crops, assuring an optimum safety level of beneficial insects (e.g. Predators, Parasites and Parasitoids) of these crops
  • Identification of some non-chemical pest control solutions supplementing economic constraints of the peasantry

Pathology Discipline

  • Screening of advance lines/hybrids of all oilseeds crops against various diseases
  • Evaluation of various fungicides against various diseases
  • Development of resistant inbred lines of important oilseeds crops against potentially important diseases
  • Plant protection measures against oilseed crops diseases
  • Diagnosis of oilseed crops diseases in-vitro and their remedies

Oil Technology Discipline

  • Screening of lines/ varieties of oilseed crops for oil contents
  • Screening of rapeseed and mustard lines/varieties for erucic acid
  • Screening of rapeseed and mustard lines for Glucosinolates content
  • Determination of fatty acid profile of oilseed crops
  • Determination of quantity and quality of oil with the help of non-destructive modern analytical technology
  • Provision of advisory services to farmers and public regarding purification of edible oil at domestic level.